Shopping, Parking & Getting Around

Shopping in Vagliagli is very limited so for more varied shopping options, head to neighbouring Castellina, Radda, Gaiole and, best of all, Siena. Castellina and Radda both have decent supermarkets and are awash with quirky Chianti Classico wine shops. As a change from wine lakes, Radda is also the place for browsing for Tuscan ceramics or cashmere.

This small grocery shop in the centre of Vagliagli is stocked with all the basic items, including fruit and vegetables, plus a choice of local cheeses and cured meats. It’s a handy place to pick up drinks and panini for a snack or lunch on the run.

For substantial grocery shopping head to the Coop Castellina supermarket (via Trento e Trieste 36, Castellina) or the Coop Radda supermarket (Via Primo Maggio 32, Radda). Both Chianti centres are around a 7 km-drive from Vagliagli. Castellina, in particular, has plenty of specialised food and wine shops.

Day closed: Sunday
Address: Piazza Vittorio Emanuele 10
Vagliagli
53019
Castelnuovo Berardenga
Tel: 0577 322622

This welcoming wine estate south of Lecchi is the place to stock up on good wine and olive oil.

Address: Località Dievole 6
53019
Vagliagli
Castelnuovo Berardenga

Tel: 0577 322613 & 0577 322632
Web: www.dievole.it

Call into the local wine estate, Castello di Selvole, to buy Chianti Classico wines, as well as Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Consider booking dinner at L’Osteria La Botte, the estate restaurant.

Address: Localita Selvole
Vagliagli
53019
Castelnuovo Beradenga
Tel: 0577 322662 & 0577 1912577
Web: www.selvole.com

This small, family-run wine estate in the hamlet of Casanuova di Ama near Lecchi offers wine-tastings, along with sales of Chianti wines, Super Tuscans, Vin Santo, grappa and olive oil. Daniela, the owner, does brief tours, perhaps followed by a vegetarian-friendly lunch in the cosy estate inn for home-cooked Tuscan dishes, such as crostini slathered in tomatoes, home-made gnocchi, freshly-baked bread and cantuccini biscuits for dipping in Vin Santo.

Address: Localita Casanuova di Ama
53013
Gaiole in Chianti

Tel: 0577 746119
Web: www.agrariacasanuovadiama.it

This gallery is in Pievesciata, beside the Chianti Sculpture Park and is run by the founders and owners of the park, Piero and Rosalba Giadrossi. Set in an old terracotta factory, this gallery displays contemporary sculptures and paintings by Italian and international artists, including emerging artists.

Address: Localita La Fornace 48/49
Pievasciata,
53010
Castelnuovo Berardenga

Tel: 0577 357151
Web: www.solartgallery.it

For a complete change of scene, designer shopping fans could head to the luxury outlets in the Valdarno area. The Mall Firenze is a thirty-minute drive east of Florence, on the Pontassieve road. There’s also a direct shuttle bus there from Siena. After browsing the designer brands, end your shopping experience in the Mall’s Gucci café and restaurant.

Address: The Mall,
Via Europa 8, 5
0066
Leccio Reggello
Tel: 055 8657775
Web: www.themall.it

Chianti Taxi, a reliable Panzano-based transport service offers day-long private tours around the Chianti and beyond. These are customised tours that can take in everything from olive oil mills and wine estates to Pecorino farms and hand-painted ceramics. With his comfortable minivan, owner Daniele Mogni has the inside track on what you can do in the Chianti. It’s worth splashing out for a day so you can relax and drink your fill at the wine estates.

Tel: (+39) 389 8160050
Web: www.chiantitaxi.com

Parking in Vagliagli is rarely an issue. You can park along Strada Provinciale (SP) di Vagliagli/Via del Lago. If visiting Dievole wine estate (Localita Dievole 6, www.dievole.it), park there.
Note that most Tuscan towns operate a strict ZTL system, a Limited Traffic Zone. This means that the Centro Storico (historic centre) is essentially closed to traffic, particularly for non-residents. Cars will need to be left outside the walls. That said, the Chianti towns are small so present far less trouble than such cities as Florence and Siena. Parking tips: for advice on individual Chianti places, please see our individual Destination guides, including those on Greve, Panzano, Castellina, Radda, Gaiole and Castelnuovo Beradenga. 

Advice on ZTLs: You may see other cars crossing the ZTL boundary (Limited Traffic Zone) and assume you can proceed. Not so. The drivers crossing into the ZTL zone will probably be locals and have residents’ permits. Visitors do not so are liable to fines. Zones are monitored by cameras, so tickets are issued immediately and automatically, as soon as (and each time) the car crosses the ZTL boundary.

Vagliagli lies 15 km north of Siena and 75 km south of Florence so is best situated for exploring the southern Chianti and, of course, Siena and towns south, including Rapolano.

The Chianti can be delightful driving country. Its appeal lies in the rolling countryside, array of vineyards and olive groves, relatively quiet roads, and the mix of small medieval towns. Public transport in the Chianti is rather sporadic so car hire makes the most sense if you want to explore the area properly. Driving in the Chianti can be deeply enjoyable experience, especially with a detailed map or GPS navigator to hand. For a great day out, try a customised tour with Chianti Taxi.

Greve, the main gateway from the north, lies on the SR222, commonly known as the Chiantigiana, about 30 km south of Florence and 40 km north of Siena. From Greve, the scenic Chiantigiana meanders through the Chianti, passing through most of the typical villages. This is a charming route to take by day. At night, however, you might encounter wild boars, porcupines or deer crossing the road.

From Florence and the Chiantigiana head towards Greve, then further south to Radda and Gaiole.  Or pick up the Florence-Siena Raccordo Autostradale highway (known as the RA) and take the San Donato in Poggio exit before following the SP101, which becomes the SP76.

From Siena, leave town on the fast Florence-Siena Raccordo Autostradale highway (known as the RA), taking the Badesse exit for the SP 119, which becomes the SR222, the Chiantigiana. Or take the quieter, slower route from Siena: take the SR2, which becomes the more tranquil SR222 until Castellina and then onto Radda and Gaiole.

This is not an easy place to reach by rail. The train service barely touches Chianti's attractions, which is part of the reason why the area is so peaceful. The main Chianti station is Castellina in Chianti, which is on the Siena-Florence line but you need to change trains at Empoli.

Buses connect Florence to Greve and Panzano but end there. These buses often provide a more useful service than the trains but the confusing 365 bus service (T: 800373760, freephone only & www.acvbus.it) still means that bus schedules are not always convenient and also operate a limited service on Sunday. Buses also connect Siena and Castellina: a Tiemme bus service (T: 0577 204111 & www.tiemmespa.it) operates around 7 services a day.  Buses also connect Castellina and Radda: a Tiemme bus service Buses also connect Siena and Gaiole.

Tel: 0577 204111
Web: www.tiemmespa.it

The Chianti is a lovely place to explore by bike. The combination of romantic Tuscan scenery and challenging gravel roads is what makes it enjoyable. The cycling races in the region also attract big crowds. Whether as a spectator or a participant, L’Eroica is worth following. This renowned amateur event that allows cyclists from around the world to experience the region while riding classic bikes. The parking in Gaiole is outside the town centre on the Strada Provinciale 408 or in the car park on via Marconi. Note that most Tuscan towns operate a strict ZTL system, a Limited Traffic Zone. This means that the Centro Storico (historic centre) is essentially closed to traffic, particularly for non-residents. Cars will need to be left outside the walls. That said, the Chianti towns are small so present far less trouble than such cities as Florence and Siena. Parking tips: for advice on individual Chianti places, please see our individual Destination guides, including those on Greve, Panzano, Castellina, Radda and Castelnuovo Beradenga.