Help! We know very little about Italian wines, and we are trying to narrow down to a few wineries to visit in November, we will be staying in Pienza for 5 nights.
Has anyone been to any of these wineries:
Montepulciano: Boscarelli, Aviognesi,Polizano
Montalcino: Altesino,Siro Pacenti,Piccolomini, Biondi Santi, Mastrojanni, Poggio Di Sotto, Poggio Antico
(We have an appts at Argiano and Podere Forte already)
Thanks so much!

I was at Poggio Antico in May, and it was an okay visit. I was disappointed that I ended up in a small group tour, although I had made an appointment for a private showing.

That said, I didn't have to pay for the tasting, while everyone else did.

The tour was only of the inside facility, and no time was spent showing/walking in the vineyards.

I wouldn't rate it in the top 5 visits I made to producers on my trip. Their wine is good though - I picked up 1990 and 1997 Brunello Riserva for half of what they cost here at their enoteca.

Thanks futronic, we are trying to stay away from the larger, more commercial wineries- so far we do have private appts at Argiano and Podere Forte. We will only have time for a couple others, and its hard to choose.
We having lunch at the Poggio Antico, so we'll probably skip the tour there, as we'll likely get to try the wines anyway.

Wow! 5 days in Pienza! Gail and I loved this little hill town. We stayed further South (Luce Sorgento, Arcidosso) but kept coming back to Pienza. The shops were reasonable as were the restaurants. Don't miss the Tuscan Bean Soup.

We enjoyed our tour of Avignonesi and Altesino and highly recommend them. The largest operation was Banfi which amazed us just in their scale. The splurge on dinner in their tiny restaurant was also very nice and romantic. Writing for reservations for winery tours is essential.
I would add Siro Pacenti and ask the folks where you are staying to recommend and call ahead to arrange appointments a smaller lesser known estates.

The cheese and other food item shops were great. The wine shops weren't as overpriced as the fortress in Montalcino.

Gail wishes we bought the Italian painted dishes that were there as they are much more expensive here.

Montalcino Pici (pasta) at a small place called Osteria di Porta al Cassero was recommended by the great folks at Altesino.

Ristorante Camere was great for handmade fresh pasta lunch in Montepulciano. Able to find some Avignonesi Vin Santo at a local enoteca (sold out at winery).

Enjoy! Ciao!

Can you tell I'm jelous? Hopefully next year... Joe

jazin,

If you'd like to taste traditional styled (and very good quality) Brunello as well as their other wines, I can put you in touch with the very lovely Annalisa at Costanti. Delightful person, excellent wines. Along with Fuligni, they are my favourite producers. I don't know if Roberto will be around in November, but if you'd like to visit Fuligni, I can always inquire as to his availability.

jazin, let me know if you would like to visit with Corzano e Paterno or Lambardi in Brunello. I could probably also get you an appt. at Isole e Olena as well.

jb