Imagine yourself under a golden sunsurrounded by Tuscan hillswith a drink in hand. No, this isn't (just) an Instagram marketing scene - it's an ordinary Tuesday verse Luccawhere the wine tasting turns into a national sport. Between two mouthfuls of pecorino, you realize that thewine tourism around this pretty town is not like queuing for the Mona Lisa. Here, pleasure takes its time. And... it's got goût.
Why choose Lucca for a wine tasting?
For a long time, I thought Tuscan life was all about taking selfies in Florence or hunting for the best gelato in Siena. Big mistake. There's just something soft and confidential about Lucca that makes every cellar visit tasty, even if you've already dragged your dusty shoes between Chianti and Montalcino. There are fewer hordes armed with selfie sticks and more people ready to ask the sommelier the right questions. A rare luxury, believe me!
The region is home to more than a hundred local wine producersoften run by families for generations (source: Istituto Nazionale di Statistica). As a result guided tour doesn't sound like a Wikipedia recitation. You sometimes enter the kitchen at the same time as the turtledoves. Living a wine experience at Lucca means keeping it simple and sincere - a world away from museums where wine is viewed behind glass.
4-person villas
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Villas with swimming pool
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Detached villas
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Villas for 20 people
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Last minute offer!
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The cheapest
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With private pool
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Between hills and cellars: how do you organize your visits around Lucca?
Just crossing the countryside greets you with the scent of cypress - even more velvety after the rain. Visit vineyards The vineyard's gentle slopes, like a giant jigsaw puzzle forgotten by an epicurean god. On my last jaunt, I met a moustachioed winemaker who explained that here, "wine is listened to before it is drunk". Needless to say, I almost choked with surprise at the first taste. olive oil tasting... and also with my laughter.
To fully explore the diversity of landscapes and vineyards, also consider discovering the Lucca and surrounding areas for a truly memorable experience.
These wine experiences are organized either directly in the wine estates (you make an appointment, no one rushes you), or via boutique hotels or tourist information centers. Clearly prefer informal conversation with the owners, even if it means daring up your rusty Italian. Often, your vineyard visit becomes a real human and gastronomic exchange.
What types of wine goast around Lucca?
Lucca has never sought to beat Chianti on its own turf. Instead, its Tuscan wines run straight to your taste buds. White wines from vermentino or the trebbiano are ideal as aperitifs, while light rosés (less well known, but formidable against the local pizza) quickly become a must-have with a meal. wine tasting.
For those who like to combine adventure and local produce, a walk through the Tuscan vineyards by Vespa can truly transform your approach to tasting, offering an original insight into the wealth of local wineries.
The reds? Ah, they often hold their own with discerning palates. I always recommend asking for a local sangiovese - not only because it's difficult to pronounce three times in a row, but also because one in five bottles in Italy comes from this grape variety (data from Consorzio Vini di Toscana). For those looking for a thrill, some cellars also offer surprising blends, proof that tradition knows how to have fun.
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4-person villas
|
Villas with swimming pool
|
Detached villas
|
Villas for 20 people
|
Last minute offer!
|
The cheapest
|
With private pool
|
How do you pair local products for a tasting?
If you imagine thewine experience reduced to four gorgées standing in front of a PowerPoint board... read on. À Luccait's impossible to talk about wine without mentioning mountain charcuterieand aged cheeses.
Each vineyard visit generally corresponds to :
- a virgin olive oil tasting - the one you'll regret when you go home and buy your first-price "extra virgin" oil.
- from fresh local bread and savoury (the famous Tuscan loaf)
- plates of grilled or marinated vegetables
You rarely leave sober or hungry!
If you'd like to prolong these typically regional flavors while enjoying a relaxing environment, you'll be pleased to know that there are many options forfarmhouse in Tuscany with swimming poolideal for alternating relaxation, culinary discoveries and gourmands moments.
Practical tips for a true wine experience in Lucca
To avoid the busload of tourists arriving like a cloud of locusts (and to believe that thewine tourism is only for those who can name twelve aromatic notes), here are some intrepid strategies to adopt.
- Make an appointment during the week Monday and Tuesday are ideal for a leisurely stroll.
- Focus on small family estates rather than larger structures: more intimate, they often offer the chance to chat with the winemaker himself.
- Don't hesitate to ask simple questions The question: "Which Lucca dish goes with this wine?" often provokes impassioned debate and open smiles.
- Prefer low seasonfrom October to April, to take full advantage of the legendary patience of the locals.
On site, a number of estates offer guided tour in French or English - nothing set in stone, just be curious and open-minded. Forget the idea of taking stone or olive from the estate: it's better to invest in a case of local wines carefully wrapped.
Visit a winery or stroll through the vineyards: what should you choose for wine tourism around Lucca?
The great dilemma. Should I choose the underground cellar tourwhere the temperature invites you to take a siesta, or opt for the guided walk under the rows of vines? Personally, I start with an olfactory immersion in the winery, then finish outside, nose to the wind, to compare poetry with tangible terroir.
Some domains even offer a : assembly shop in the cellar, followed by a picnic with a Tuscan basket ("basket" here meaning "enough to feed a whole village" - watch out for your cholesterol levels). As in any good wine experience worthy of the name, you'll leave with a few bottles... and, above all, memories of the people you met there.
Compare Lucca tour packages
| Type of visit | Average duration | Price (indicative/adult) | Language options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic guided tour + tasting | 1h30 | 15-20 € | Italian, English, sometimes French |
| Wine workshop + meal featuring local produce | 2h30 - 3h | 30-50 € | Italian, English |
| Vineyard walk + picnic | 2h | 25-35 € | English, Italian |
Whatever the formula, the most important thing is to be welcomed and listened to. There's nothing quite like a producer's impromptu account of the hail that saved his vintage or... destroyed his harvest (true story!).
Frequently asked questions about wine tasting in Lucca
When is the best time to organize a wine tasting in Lucca?
From April to June and September to November, the campaign around Lucca offers changing landscapes and fewer crowds. Autumn (when the grape harvest is in full swing) offers a unique opportunity to observe work in the vineyards and goaste a preview of certain vintages. Appointments are essential, especially during the peak summer season.
Some estates also prefer winter to test their new blends on curious visitors. Check the local holiday calendar to avoid days when the winery is completely closed.
Can a winery visit or wine tour be adapted if you don't speak Italian?
Absolutely. Most of the estates in the Lucca employ English and, increasingly, French-speaking guides. Some offers also include written material or multilingual mobile applications.
To check in advance :
- Ask when booking which languages are available.
- Consult the official websites of tourist offices, which are often updated on this point.
What types of local wines can be found near Lucca?
Mainly, you'll find white wines made from vermentino and trebbiano grapes, a grape variety light rosés and red based on Sangiovese, sometimes accompanied by rare autochthonous varieties such as Ciliegiolo. These local wines all have DOC Colli Lucchesi labels, guaranteeing their origin and typicality.
| Type of wine | Main grape varieties | Recommended agreement |
|---|---|---|
| Dry white | Vermentino, trebbiano | Grilled fish, antipasti |
| Rosé | Sangiovese, ciliegiolo | Pizza bianca, cold cuts |
| Red | Sangiovese | Pecorino, pasta with meat sauce |
These Tuscan wines perfectly express the culinary identity of the West, more mineral and subtle than you might think.
Should I book an olive oil tasting on a wine tour of Lucca?
It's highly recommended: many estates offer these tastings to complement the vineyard visitand the quality oflocal olive oil is well worth the experience (sources: Consorzio Olio Toscano IGP).
- Check whether the session includes different crus of oils, to appreciate the variety of the territory.
- Be prepared to enjoy traditional bread, and even a few seasonal vegetables on the side!
Double the pleasure wine-olive oil enhances the visit and anchors memories far beyond the palace itself.