Two Wineries, One Day Two sides of San Gimignano wine country
Why visit only one winery when two estates can tell two different chapters of the same Tuscan story? Around San Gimignano, wine is shaped not only by grapes but by landscape, history, cellars, food and the people who welcome you.
Why Visit Two Wineries?
This isn't about tasting more wine, it's about tasting the same region through two very different lenses. One estate rooted in the countryside and thirteen generations of family tradition; the other perched above it, contemporary and panoramic. Visiting both in a single day turns a wine tasting into something closer to understanding: how the same soil, the same grapes, can become two entirely different expressions of Tuscany.
One region, two estates, a single, unhurried day in San Gimignano wine country.
Experience Two Tuscan Wineries
First Stop: Tenuta Torciano
The day begins in the countryside, among the vineyards and olive groves that have shaped the Giachi family's wine for thirteen generations. A guided walk through the vines leads into the barrel cellar, where you meet the winemaker and taste wine drawn straight from the barrels with the pipette, followed by a full tasting paired with Tuscan appetizers: Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Sangiovese-based reds, and the estate's own olive oil.
Tasting from the Barrels with the Winemaker
Swipe to see all three
Lunch in the Tuscan Countryside
Between the two estates, there's time to slow down over a proper Tuscan lunch cellar-side or among the vines, paired with the same wines you've just tasted. It's less a break in the itinerary than one of its most memorable moments: a bucolic lunch among the vines or in beautiful historic cellars, where food, wine, and landscape come together in an unforgettable experience.
A short shuttle climbs from the countryside up to the ridge, and the whole feeling of the day changes with the view.
Second Stop: Altezza Winery
The mood shifts completely at the second stop. At Altezza, the experience becomes intimate and distinctly private-style. A guided visit through the underground cellars introduces the estate and its wines before moving into a more exclusive and personal dimension. Where Torciano speaks of family tradition, Altezza offers a refined, secluded experience, designed to feel almost entirely your own.
A Tasting Above the Towers
The Altezza tasting unfolds on a panoramic terrace, with the medieval towers of San Gimignano feeling almost within arm's reach. Here, the estate's own Collection takes center stage, enjoyed slowly against an extraordinary Tuscan backdrop. It is an intimate, privileged setting where the view becomes as much a part of the tasting as the wine itself.
The Experience, Start to Finish
From the vineyards and the winemaker's barrel cellar at Torciano to the panoramic terrace at Altezza, the whole day in a few minutes.
Tenuta Torciano vs Altezza: Why Experience Both?
- Setting
- Countryside vineyards, historic estate
- Character
- Family wine culture, thirteen generations
- Cellars
- Barrel-aging and fermentation cellars
- The view
- Rolling vineyards and olive groves
- Setting
- Hilltop terrace, 400m elevation
- Character
- Contemporary, boutique, exclusive
- Cellars
- Underground cellars carved in limestone
- The view
- San Gimignano's medieval towers
Together, they tell a more complete story of San Gimignano wine country.
Vineyards, historic cellars, two tastings and the towers of San Gimignano, in one guided tour.
Book the Combined TourWhat Should You Taste?
Tenuta Torciano
The tasting runs through the estate's DOCG range: Chianti, Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Morellino di Scansano, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, alongside its Super Tuscan blends and a rosé.
Altezza Winery
The focus narrows to the estate's own Collection: an elegant Vernaccia and Chardonnay among the whites, and structured Sangiovese or Merlot based Super Tuscans among the reds, both shaped by the limestone soils of the elevated estate.
How Long Should You Allow?
The guided combined tour runs about three hours, including the shuttle transfer between estates, enough for a proper visit and tasting at both. If you'd rather take it slower, especially with the countryside lunch built in, treat it as a half-day to full-day outing rather than rushing between stops.
Should You Drive?
Not between the two estates, the shuttle transfer from Torciano to Altezza is built into the combined tour, so there's no need to self-drive or navigate between them. Getting to Torciano to begin the day, or arranging transport to and from your accommodation, can be added as an optional service when booking.
Stay Overnight and Don't Rush Tuscany
For a day built around two estates and a countryside lunch, staying overnight lets you enjoy it without watching the clock. Hotel Torciano "Vecchio Asilo" sits right by the estate, with rooms looking out over the vineyards, a natural way to extend the day into an evening in San Gimignano itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many wineries can you realistically visit in one day?
Two well-chosen estates is the sweet spot for an unhurried day, enough contrast to feel meaningful without rushing between cellars. Fitting in three or more usually means shorter tastings and less time enjoying each place. The Torciano–Altezza pairing is built around this pacing: two contrasting estates, one shuttle transfer, about three hours together.
Can I visit Tenuta Torciano and Altezza Winery on the same day?
Yes, that's exactly what the combined tour is designed for. You start at Tenuta Torciano for the vineyard, cellar visit and tasting, then a shuttle takes you directly to Altezza for the underground cellars and a panoramic tasting overlooking San Gimignano's towers, all within about three hours.
Do I need reservations for wineries near San Gimignano?
Yes, both estates work by appointment. Tenuta Torciano and Altezza are open year-round but require booking ahead, walk-ins can't be guaranteed a tasting slot, especially in peak season. Reserving ahead also lets you choose your preferred start time.
Can transportation between wineries be arranged?
Yes, on the combined tour, the shuttle from Tenuta Torciano to Altezza is included, so there's no need to drive between the two estates. Additional transport, such as a shuttle to and from your accommodation, can be arranged as an optional add-on when booking.
Should I stay overnight after a Tuscany wine tour?
It's worth considering, especially when the day includes a countryside lunch as well as two tastings, Tuscany rewards a slower pace. An overnight stay means no late drive back and more time to enjoy San Gimignano once the tastings are done.
Where should I stay near San Gimignano wineries?
Hotel Torciano "Vecchio Asilo" sits right by the estate, with rooms overlooking the vineyards, a natural choice to extend the day without much travel. San Gimignano's historic center, a short drive away, is another good base if you'd rather stay within walking distance of the towers.
Tenuta Torciano & Altezza Winery · San Gimignano, Tuscany. The combined guided tour includes the shuttle transfer between estates and runs about three hours; visits at both estates are by reservation.
