Bolgheri
The Consorzio Bolgheri walk-around tasting at the Castello della Gherardesca and the Frantoio of Casa Carducci in Castagneto Carducci, followed by the kilometre-long Cena dei Mille on the cypress-lined Viale dei Cipressi.
Tip: The Cena dei Mille on the Viale dei Cipressi seats one thousand and books out months in advance; the walk-around tasting is easier to secure.
Panzano in Chianti
Twenty-three producers of the Unione Viticoltori di Panzano pour Chianti Classico Panzano UGA bottlings, Conca d'Oro single-village reds and IGT Toscana from stalls around Piazza Bucciarelli. Over 80 wines are typically open across the weekend.
Tip: The Conca d'Oro sub-zone within Panzano produces some of Chianti Classico's longest-lived bottlings; ask producers to compare a Riserva to a Gran Selezione side by side.
Florence
More than 200 Chianti Classico producers pour the new annata, Riserva and Gran Selezione vintages from over 680 labels at Stazione Leopolda in Florence. The opening day is trade-only, the second opens to consumers.
Tip: Tickets release late January; the consortium prioritises trade and press on day one and consumers on day two.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The Consorzio della Vernaccia presents the new vintage of Tuscany sole DOCG white inside the Museo Civico in San Gimignano, with 40-plus producers pouring annata and Riserva.
Tip: The historical centre of San Gimignano fills quickly on tasting day; reserve a stay in Pancole or the Castagno area five minutes out.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
A record 57 producers pour Vino Nobile annata, Riserva and the newly introduced Pieve sub-zone tier inside the Fortezza di Montepulciano. Two press days precede the public tasting and assign vintage stars.
Tip: Combine the Anteprima with a walk through the Cantina Contucci and Cantina De Ricci, both carved into the medieval cellars beneath the town hall.
Brunello di Montalcino
Tasting of the freshly released Brunello (five-year-aged) and Brunello Riserva (six-year-aged) inside the cloisters of Sant'Agostino and the Montalcino fortress, with a vintage-rating ceremony assigning a star count from one to five. Since 2018 the consortium holds Benvenuto Brunello in November (previously late February).
Tip: Plan three days minimum: the consortium walk-around, an estate cellar visit, and a vertical lunch at one of the historic Montalcino enoteche.