Castello di Volpaia
Wine is the lifeblood of the village so sample the Castello di Volpaia wines, if only to learn how ingenious their methods are. At harvest time, the wine-ducts across the village are used to connect various buildings — a medieval-meets-modern way of gravity-flow wine-making. Book a visit to the Castello di Volpaia olive press and wine cellars, with a tasting of estate wines and olive oil, along with a sampling of the local produce. Castello di Volpaia honey, speciality vinegars and Extra Virgin Olive Oil are also on sale. Cellar visits are usually conducted at 11.30am, 3pm and 5pm but it’s best to check directly.
Castello di Volpaia, Piazza della Cisterna, Volpaia, 53017 Radda in Chianti
T: +39 0577 738066 & www.volpaia.com
Our other recommended wine estates are featured in each of the individual Chianti guides. As for dining, with only a trio of dining options in the village, all recommended, and listed below, you will also need to explore slightly further afield.
Within the village, L’Osteria Volpaia is the creative, fine-dining option but the other two options are genuine and unpretentious. Tuck into platters of local cheeses and cured meats at a simpler inn or sample the olive oil, honey and vinegars made by the local Castello di Volpaia wine estate.
This is just a taster to the Chianti. See our restaurant recommendations below and also see our other guides to top Chianti towns and villages, all accessed through our Destinations listings,