TUSCANY WINE ROUTES
FROM VILLA PODERE DEL GRASSO
MONTALCINO, VAL D’ORCIA, MONTEPULCIANO & MONTECUCCO
VAL D’ORCIA – UNESCO
WORLD HERITAGE LANDSCAPE
Tucked between the DOCG giants of Montalcino and Montepulciano along the Orcia River, Val d’Orcia is a remote wine region in southern Tuscany. The Parco della Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, is breathtaking for its craggy cliffs (calledcalanchi) dotted with castles, abbeys, farms and fortresses. This area is also a wellness destination with several natural thermal springs where visitors can unwind after a day of hiking or meandering the crooked streets of near-empty medieval villages.
ORCIA DOC & WINE REGULATIONS
Orcia DOC red wines must contain 90 percent Sangiovese. The other native red grapes that may be used include Canaiolo Nero, Colorino, Ciliegiolo, Foglia Tonda, Pugnitello and Malvasia Nera. Some wineries also blend in Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Rosso wines must be aged a minimum of 12 to 24 months in oak, and Riserva wines a minimum of 24 to 30 months. The region also produces small amounts of Orcia Rosé, made from 60 percent minimum Sangiovese, and Orcia Bianco, made from 50 percent minimum Trebbiano blended with other white aromatic grapes. Most vintners farm organically.
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
Brunello di Montalcino is produced exclusively from Sangiovese, locally known as Brunello, within the historic territory of Montalcino. In 1879, the Ampelographic Commission of the Province of Siena confirmed that Brunello and Sangiovese were the same grape variety. Today, Brunello is one of Italy’s most prestigious and internationally collected wines, renowned for its structure, longevity and complexity with age.
The growing area is bordered by the Orcia, Asso and Ombrone rivers, with varied elevations, exposures and soils creating distinctive styles between estates and vineyards — particularly rewarding for collectors and serious wine enthusiasts to explore through tastings and winery visits.
The Orcia Wine Trail runs through the municipalities of Abbadia San Salvatore, Buonconvento Castiglione d’Orcia, Castel Del Piano, Chianciano Terme, Montalcino, Pienza, Radicofani, San Casciano dei Bagni, San Giovanni d’Asso, San Quirico d’Orcia, Sarteano, Torrita di Siena and Trequanda. The territory is characterized by rolling hills, the Crete, cereal and olive cultivation and, of course, wineries.
The oak and chestnut forests bestow aromatic mushrooms and chestnuts, the latter of which is used to produce tasty flour, which in turn is used to make various dishes. Sheep have been reared in these parts for decades, useful for meat and milk production, the latter of which is used to make Pecorino Toscano DOP.
Amongst the typical products, the most exquisite and famous are the cold cuts, with their sublime and delicate flavour. Others include pecorino from Pienza, chestnuts and mushrooms from Monte Amiata, the renowned Crete Senesi Truffle and unique products like cinta senese and saffron, which has only recently been rediscovered by smaller producers.
Naturally, the Orcia Wine DOC, produced in the aforementioned area and made from Sangiovese and Tuscan Trebbiano; besides the classic Orcia Rosso, either white or red wines can be produced, also as Novello and Vin Santo, a traditional sweet wine.
Another excellent product from this area is the extra-virgin olive oil (certified Terre di Siena DOP), made by cold pressing moraiolo, frantoio and leccino varieties of olives; the oil vaunts a fruity aroma and a bitter, slightly spicy taste.
WHY STAY IN VAL D’ORCIA
Val d’Orcia offers an exceptional combination of world-class wine, gastronomy, medieval villages and timeless Tuscan landscapes. Its rolling hills, cypress-lined roads and historic towns such as Montalcino, Pienza and San Quirico d’Orcia form part of a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape that has inspired artists for centuries.
Beyond its celebrated wines, the region offers thermal springs, local producers, historic churches, cultural sites and traditional festivals. Villa Podere Del Grasso provides a peaceful and private base from which to explore it all, with spacious indoor and outdoor living areas, expansive grounds and a private pool — ideal for relaxing after a day of winery visits, tastings and exploring the Tuscan countryside.