The Best Wine Regions to Visit in Italy
Explore Italy’s best wine regions, from Tuscany to Sicily. Discover local traditions, flavours, and travel tips for an unforgettable wine journey.
October 22, 2025
6 minute read
What Are the Best Wine Regions to Visit in Italy?
Whilst you’ll find extraordinary wines all over the country, some of the best wine regions to visit in Italy include Tuscany, Umbria, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, and Sicily. Each offers its own blend of world-class vineyards, historic towns, and memorable cultural experiences. Whether you’re drawn to rolling countryside, alpine foothills, or coastal landscapes, Italy’s wine country delivers.
Introduction to Italy’s Wine Regions
Italy is more than a place to drink great wine – it’s a country where culture, food, and landscapes are intertwined with the vine. From sun-dappled Tuscan hills to volcanic Sicilian soils, each region tells its own story through the glass. Travellers come here not only to taste but to immerse themselves in centuries-old traditions, explore charming villages, and connect with the people who keep these winemaking legacies alive.
With Collette, wine becomes more than a tasting – it becomes a doorway to deeper cultural understanding. Guests might meet a winemaker before the cellar doors open to the public, stroll vineyard rows with a local guide, or savour regional pairings in family-run osterie.
Here are the top wine regions in Italy that belong on your list.
Wines of Tuscany
Few regions embody the romance of Italian wine like Tuscany. Its rolling hills, medieval hill towns, and iconic cypress-lined roads make it as visually intoxicating as its Chianti Classico. Tuscany is also home to Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – structured reds with reputations as grand as Florence’s Renaissance art.
Best Wine Experiences in Tuscany
Tour Chianti Classico estates tucked between Siena and Florence.
Visit Montepulciano, a hilltop town where cellars extend deep beneath cobbled streets.
Sample Brunello in Montalcino, often paired with local pecorino cheese.
Insider Tip: Tuscan wineries often close midday for riposo (siesta). Plan your tastings for late morning or late afternoon, when hosts are more available.
Recommended Collette Tour: Tuscan & Umbrian Countryside – Journey through hill towns and vineyards with immersive tastings.
Wines of Umbria
Known as Italy’s “green heart,” Umbria is a land of rolling hills, medieval hill towns, and vineyards that rival Tuscany’s charm without the crowds. The region’s signature wine, Sagrantino di Montefalco, is bold and complex, reflecting the region’s rustic soul. Add in the spiritual presence of Assisi and the artisanal food culture, and Umbria is a must for travellers seeking authenticity.
Best Wine Experiences in Umbria
Taste Sagrantino wines in Montefalco, a small town with outsized wine fame.
Pair just about any of the region’s wines with another local speciality — truffles! Join a local truffle hunter and their truffle-sniffing dogs for a truly immersive experience.
Explore Orvieto, famous for its cathedral and crisp Orvieto Classico white wine.
Insider Tip: Many Umbrian wineries are family-run; allow time for conversation with owners, who often pour tastings themselves and share stories of generational traditions.
Recommended Collette Tour: Tuscan & Umbrian Countryside – Discover another side to the Italy you love on the less-traveled country roads of Umbria and Tuscany.
Wines of Veneto
Beyond Venice’s canals lies Veneto, home to the sparkling joy of Prosecco and the deep, powerful Amarone. Vineyards here stretch across gentle foothills, offering an approachable balance of history and innovation.
Best Wine Experiences in Veneto
Journey into the rolling hills of Italy’s Prosecco region for a visit to a local vineyard, then learn how to make a traditional pasta recipe during a hands-on cooking class.
Visit Verona, city of Romeo and Juliet, with nearby Amarone-producing Valpolicella.
Cruise Lake Garda, pairing lakeside views with local wines.
Insider Tip: Amarone wines are best enjoyed with hearty dishes – try them alongside risotto all’Amarone in Verona.
Recommended Collette Tour: Spotlight on Northern Italy – Unpack once and take in the vineyards, villas, peaks, and prosecco of Veneto.
Wines of Emilia-Romagna
Italy’s culinary heart pairs its bold cuisine with equally expressive wines. Lambrusco, once underestimated, shines here in its dry, sparkling form. Emilia-Romagna is also the birthplace of Parmigiano-Reggiano, balsamic vinegar, and prosciutto di Parma.
Best Wine Experiences in Emilia-Romagna
Tour balsamic cellars in Modena.
Visit the wine cellar and vineyards at the Borgo Condé Wine Resort.
Experience a farm-to-table lunch paired with Lambrusco in the Romagna countryside.
Insider Tip: Don’t dismiss Lambrusco – it’s refreshingly dry and food-friendly when enjoyed locally.
Recommended Collette Tour: Best of Italy – Vineyards and olive groves, incredible history, and culture, and unforgettable food and wine — OR — Spotlight on Tuscany: Extend your journey with a 2-night extension in Emilia, featuring the region’s famous foods.
Sicily
Volcanic soils, sea breezes, and ancient traditions make Sicilian wines unique. Etna wines, grown on the slopes of Europe’s most active volcano, are now among Italy’s most exciting. Pair that with the island’s Greek temples, Norman cathedrals, and sunlit piazzas, and Sicily offers a truly layered experience.
Best Wine Experiences in Sicily
Tour Alcamo, a hilltop town deeply nestled in Sicily’s largest wine-producing region.
Explore Marsala and its various wineries, known for producing the town’s namesake wine.
Sip Malvasia in Salina during a tour of one of the island’s many caper farms.
Insider Tip: Sicily’s wine culture is best explored with time – stay a few nights near Mount Etna to fully appreciate the variety.
Recommended Collette Tour: Sicily and its Isles – Explore the distinct food, wine, and culture of this island paradise.
When to Visit Italy’s Wine Regions
Spring (April – June) and fall (September – October) are the best seasons for wine travel in Italy. Spring brings budding vines and mild weather, whilst fall offers grape harvest festivals and truffle fairs. Summer can be hot and crowded, but evenings are lively. Winter is quiet and intimate, with cosy cellar tastings.
Check out our complete guide to when to visit Italy here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Italy’s Wine Regions
What is the most visited wine region in Italy?
Tuscany is Italy’s most visited wine region, thanks to its mix of iconic towns, Renaissance heritage, and world-class wines like Chianti and Brunello.
What’s the best way to explore Italy’s wine regions?
A guided itinerary balances wine tasting with cultural highlights. Trained guides handle logistics whilst connecting travellers with authentic local experiences, from vineyard tours to culinary pairings.
Do I need a visa to visit Italy?
Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Many travellers from North America and Europe can enter Italy for up to 90 days without a visa. Always check official government sources before travel.
What’s the best way to get an authentic experience in Italy’s wine country?
Seek out small, family-run wineries, join seasonal harvest events, and pair wines with local dishes. Travelling with an expert-led group can open doors to behind-the-scenes access and meaningful cultural exchanges.
Are guided tours good for solo travellers or first-timers?
Yes. Guided tours offer structure, safety, and social connection. They simplify logistics, making wine country approachable even for first-time or solo travellers.
Final Thoughts: Planning Your Trip to Italy’s Wine Regions
Italy’s wine regions aren’t just destinations – they’re cultural experiences steeped in tradition. Whether you’re sipping Brunello in Tuscany, savouring truffles with Barolo in Piedmont, or exploring volcanic vineyards in Sicily, each region offers something unforgettable. With Collette, you don’t just taste – you soak in the story behind every glass.
Ready to dive in? Andiamo!
