Tuscany · Harvest Season
Grape Harvest in Tuscany, September & October:
A Guide for Wine Lovers
When the vineyards stop being scenery and become an experience you won’t forget.
The Season
There’s something special about Tuscany as summer slowly gives way to autumn. The vineyards are alive with activity, grapes are being harvested, the landscape begins to change color and the kitchen follows the season. In the cellar, the most important moment of the year is underway. For wine lovers, September and October are not simply an alternative to summer: they are part of the story of wine itself.
September, harvest time
September in Tuscany
September is one of the most fascinating times to discover where wine really begins. The Tuscan countryside is no longer just a backdrop for photographs: it is alive, and at work.
This is harvest time. Grapes are picked in the vineyards, while in the cellar a process of experience, patience and careful decisions begins, shaping wines that will mature and, in some cases, be enjoyed many years from now.
When does the grape harvest happen?There's no single date for all of Tuscany. It depends on the grape variety, the area, the climate, how ripe the fruit is and how the season has gone.
At Tenuta Torciano, guests can book a hands-on educational harvest experience from early August through late November.
See dates & details of the hands-on harvestWhat does vendemmia mean?Much more than a date on the calendar. Vendemmia is a season deeply woven into life in the Tuscan countryside: it begins with observing and tasting the grapes to judge their ripeness, and continues in the cellar, where the freshly picked fruit begins its journey into wine.
Read the full story of vendemmiaCan a tourist take part in the harvest?Yes. Tenuta Torciano offers educational harvest experiences designed to bring guests closer to one of the most important moments of the wine year. Step into the vineyard, discover the gestures of the harvest and understand more deeply the connection between grapes, land and wine.
An authentic way not simply to visit Tuscany, but to experience one of its oldest traditions.
A month to discover
October in Tuscany: Wine, Truffle & Food
October reveals a different side of Tuscany. Wine, truffles and seasonal cooking meet the colors and slower rhythms of autumn, between the countryside and the medieval towers of San Gimignano.
It is the perfect time to turn a single experience into a stay to remember: a historic winery, a day devoted to truffles, the Tuscan table and the pleasure of spending a few nights in a boutique hotel surrounded by the countryside.
And then let Tuscany surprise you once again, perhaps at Altezza Winery in San Gimignano, with its privileged view of the medieval towers of this UNESCO World Heritage town. An extraordinary setting for one of the most memorable toasts of your journey.
Truffle Season
Truffle hunting in the oak woods, with our four-legged friend
Experience a truffle hunt alongside an expert Tuscan truffle hunter and a trained dog, surrounded by the scents and colors of the oak woods.
Discover an ancient tradition shaped by knowledge of the land and respect for nature and its rhythms. When the dog finally finds a truffle, share the excitement of the discovery, hold it in your hands and, just a few hours later, enjoy its unmistakable aroma and flavor at the table.
If truffles are one of your passions, there is still much more to discover at Tenuta Torciano.
At the Table
The kitchen follows the season
Creamy risotto finished with fresh truffle shaved at the table. Then hand-rolled fresh pasta, new-harvest olive oil and the flavors of Tuscan tradition: seasonal cooking accompanied by wines born just a few steps away.
September & October at the Estate
Two months to discover… and to savor
Where to Stay
Hotel Torciano, “Vecchio Asilo”
Staying at the Boutique Hotel just steps from the estate changes the rhythm of the whole journey. Time slows down, the peace of the Tuscan countryside settles in, and the landscape follows you all the way to your room, with windows looking directly onto the vineyards. The winery is only a short walk away and, after dinner, there is no drive back. One more reason to fully enjoy a stay where wine takes center stage.
Itinerary
The perfect autumn stay
A day among the rows and a tasting in the cellar. The wood at dawn with the truffle hunter and his dog. A lunch in no hurry at all, San Gimignano in the evening light, and the pleasure of heading back to a room just steps away.
Why not stay on a little longer and savor the peace and quiet of Tuscany? The Torciano Boutique Hotel “Vecchio Asilo” gives you a romantic stay tucked into the hills of San Gimignano: a weekend, a week, or however long you feel like staying, with all the comfort and calm of being just steps from the estate.
Good to Know
Frequently asked questions
Is September a good time to visit Tuscany?
Yes. It is one of the most rewarding times of year to visit: warm days, cooler evenings, vineyards alive with harvest activity and the crowds of high summer beginning to thin.
Is October a good time to visit Tuscany?
Absolutely. Wineries remain busy through much of the month, the countryside turns golden and the season pairs naturally with truffles and autumn cooking.
What should I eat in Tuscany in the fall?
Autumn menus follow the season: fresh porcini mushrooms and truffles, ribollita, game, roasted chestnuts and the first extra-virgin olive oil of the new harvest, alongside the wines of the season.
Where can I go truffle hunting near San Gimignano?
Truffle hunting is one of Tenuta Torciano's autumn experiences, usually accompanied by a trained dog and an expert local truffle hunter. Pair it with a winery visit and lunch to make a full day of the experience.
Questions about vendemmia, pressing the grapes and what to wear are answered on the Tuscany grape harvest page.
