Located in the Castelli Romani area of Italy, Frascati is a delightful hillside town known for volcanic soil and medieval architecture, and only about a half-hour bus ride from Rome. The noble Pallavicini family’s vineyard is housed here, and is one of the oldest and most beautiful in Italy. Olive trees and 200 acres of grape vines grow around 17th century villas, and the caverns are stocked high with barrels and barrels of wine. Casale Marchese and De Sancti are also popular vineyards, and all three specialize in Frascati, a light, delicate white wine with hints of citrus, pear and apple. Many tour companies in Rome offer day trips by bus, enabling you to see the countryside, learn about the region's history, and enjoy a wine tasting, all with an expert guide.
Orvieto is a lush, green hill town in Umbria, rising dramatically above the volcanic cliffs it rests on. It’s about 80 miles from Rome, and there are many companies offering bus trips for either a full or half day. On a tour, you’ll drive through brilliant countryside, arriving in the town center at the Orvieto Cathedral, often argued to be the most breathtaking duomo in Italy. Producing Orvieto, the light, slightly sweet, white wine, has been vital for the town’s culture and history for hundreds of years. In fact, Orvieto makes up 80 percent of the region’s vineyard production. Bus tours will take you through these vineyards and teach you how the soil contributes to the wine’s taste, and other expert wine tips. Most bus tours from Rome also make a stop in Assisi.
The Chianti region is one of the most famous areas in Tuscany for its namesake wine and beautiful landscapes. Miles and miles of vineyards rest between Florence and Siena, perfect for one of the many bus tours from Rome that takes stops along the way. Chianti is divided into eight sub-zones, each producing its own variety, and bus tours visit several vineyards to give you a taste of their differences. You’ll taste Chianti Classico and Chianti Rufina, two of the most well known, as well as smaller, varietals. In order to get a feel for the region and see a range of wineries, many tours to Chianti have an overnight option.
Some of Italy's most renowned wineries reside in the vibrant, cultivated hills of Val D’Orcia. Brunello di Montalcino is regarded as Italy’s best red wine, and is found in the Montalcino vineyard here. Bus tours include a tour of the Montalcino vineyard, where you can see the work that’s put into growing and processing the country’s most famous wine. You’ll get to stroll through beautiful Tuscan vineyards, sampling Brunello and other remarkable wines during a professionally guided tour and tasting. Bus tours from Rome also stop in the hill towns of Montelpulciano and Pienza, (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), for fascinating architecture and history.
