Wine Tasting in Tuscany: Why It’s a Must on Your Trip!

Tuscany is one of those destinations known for its hilltop medieval towns, historical churches, art, food, and of course, wine. So on my most recent trip to this beautiful part of Italy, I decided to take a break from exploring the amazing towns and focus only on wine. And after that experience, here’s why doing a wine tasting in Tuscany is a must!

My Base in Tuscany: Arezzo

My hub to explore Tuscany was Arezzo, a timeless jewel nestled in the heart of the region. This city mixes its medieval past with the pulse of vibrant contemporary culture. And that’s how I found out about Villa La Ripa and I’m so glad I did.

Villa La Ripa: A Winery Steeped in History

Villa La Ripa has a long and rich history, dating back to the 2nd century. Over time, the villa passed through many hands, each leaving a mark. The Renaissance brought the Gualtieri family, renowned poets, and winemakers, who shaped the villa’s current look.

In the 20th century, the Bucchi family cultivated its oldest vines some of which still flourish today. Then in 1992, the Luzzi family restored the property to its former glory. Led by neurologist Saverio Luzzi, they merged tradition with innovation, crafting exceptional wines through a meticulous, scientific approach.

So when you visit this place, you’re tasting more than just wine you’re tasting history.

The Experience: Intimate, Authentic, and Delicious

I was lucky enough to visit on a quiet day there were only three of us in the group. This made the experience feel super intimate and personalized.

Our host Marius took us through the new installations at the winery and explained the entire winemaking process. And to be honest? It’s way more work than I ever imagined.

I’ll confess I’m not a wine expert, and I never cared too much about it. But after learning about the hard work that goes into every bottle, from picking the grapes to the final pour, I now see wine in a whole new way.

Lunch & Wine Tasting: A Tuscan Highlight

Now let’s talk about the lunch and wine tasting definitely the highlight of the day. Thanks to the small group and the amazing weather, we got to enjoy lunch outside, right between the vines. It was truly picture perfect.

Here’s what we tasted:

• Zero Problem – a sparkling wine
  

• Spaziolibero – a rosé
  

• Namaste – a white wine
  

• Psyco – a red wine

Each wine was paired with a different dish, starting with Villa La Ripa’s own extra virgin olive oil. Marius explained that they extract the oil while the olives are still green, giving it a strong aroma and flavor and I absolutely loved that bold taste.

Next came a charcuterie board filled with meats and cheeses. I’m not usually a cheese lover, but the pecorino with truffle? Perfection.

Then came the main dish: a rich, delicious homemade lasagna. To finish off, a sweet almond treat and a shot of espresso. Seriously you can’t get more Italian than this.

A Walk Among the Vines

After lunch, we had a chance to walk between the vines and peek at the owner’s villa, which is also their family home. Honestly? This is what Italian dreams are made of.

It was such a great way to add variety and flavor to a trip full of art and history.

Final Thoughts (And Yes the Price!)

Oh, I almost forgot the best part: the price! This whole experience was just 55 euros per person.

So if you’re traveling to Tuscany, book this activity. Even though I still need to train my tongue to catch all the wine notes, after this experience, I feel confident and excited to keep trying new wine tastings.

Here’s the direct link if you want to book directly with Villa La Ripa:
👉 https://www.villalaripa.it/en/