Annie & Harry
Things To Do
Montepulciano
Montepulciano is the closest main town to Terre di Nano, and is one of the most famous in the area. It's a gorgeous medieval town that sits high above the Val D'Orcia; if youre not already staying there, it is a must visit while in the area. A few of our favourite things to do here: Visit the wine caves! (see below) Sundowner: Romantico - This place has the most incredible view over the valley, and you can buy a drink from the restaurant to sit and watch the sunset. We can't describe just how amazing it is, you really just have to go. Restaurants: Osteria del Borgo: A local and amazing restaurant. If you want proper Tuscan cooking you have to come here. They also have a sheltered terrace overlooking the valley: a great spot for lunch. La Pentolaccia: We stumbled upon this place and loved it. Quite unassuming, with wooden benches and plastic menu wallets, but it had some of the best food we've had in Tuscany. Make sure you try the pork fillet with prunes and Lardo!
Pienza
Pienza is a tiny, walled Unesco World Hertitage town about a 10-minute drive from Terre Di Nano. It's filled with little shops and gorgeous restaurants and the view from the edge of the city is breath-taking; it feels like you are looking at a painting! We stayed there for a few days in June 2025 and have some recommendations below. It can get busy so we recommend booking tables for dinner if you can. Bar for a sun-downer: Bar Il Casello This is a small, down-to-earth local bar perfect for a coffee and cornetto in the morning, or for an aperitivo in the evening to watch the sunset. It has the most amazing view! Restaurants: Ristorante e Rosselino: A friendly restaurant with outdoor seating in the Piazza di Spagna. Classic, no frills italian food with some modern twists. The perfect place for a long evening meal with some/many glasses of local wine. Sette di Vino: A great Osteria in the same square, this is where we tried a Bistecca Fiorentina, it did not disappoint!
Food
Food is without a doubt one of the best thing about Italy, and Tuscany has some of the best in the country. Things to try: - Tuscan Ragu - a delicious meat pasta traditionally made with pici - Bisteca alla Fiorentina - T-bone steak from Chianina cows - Pecorino - Tuscany, and Pienza in particular is famous for it - Ribolita - a traditional tuscan bean soup - Panzanella - a tuscan tomato and bread salad - Black truffle - it will be truffle season in tuscany, make sure you try a Tagliolini Al Tartufo - Pici all'Aglione - Aglione is a local garlic that is bigger much softer tasting. Called "lovers garlic" because it doesn't make your breath smell...(doesn't work on Annie though)
Wine
Tuscany mainly produces Sangiovese red wines and Vermintino for white, but they also produce and blend with a variety of other grapes. Montepulciano is a famous wine producing area, but (confusingly) they don't produce any Montepulciano grapes. The key wines to try: - Rosso di Montepulciano - aged for a minimum of 6 months in oak barrels, a light and juicy wine that goes well with pastas and lighter dishes - Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - aged for a minimum of 2 years in oak barrels, this is a punchier and more complex wine that goes well with heavier dishes Wine caves: Montepulciano has a complex network of tunnels dug deep into the hillside, with some dating back to the Etruscan period (~800 BC). The lower temperature is perfect for storing the local vino nobile, and as you walk down you can feel the temperature dropping (a very good place to go in the midday heat). To help refresh you further, many cellars offer free tastings. Our favourite cellars were Talosa and De'Ricci.
Local vineyards/ wineries
There are loads of great vineyards in the area, so its well worth exploring. Podere Il Casale: A fully organic, farm to table restaurant/vineyard that is fully self sustaining. The food here isnt particularly traditional, but the views and ambience of the restaurant are incredible. Agricola Casagori: A biodynamic and natural winery that produces some interesting wines and beers. They offer a small snack tasting menu (warning, it is self guided and the owners really wont talk you through it!) with some interesting takes on traditional dishes. La Fonte Brewery: A beer brewery in the heart of Tuscany! We didn't go here, but tried some of their beers and they were delicious. If wine tasting doesn't take your fancy then this is worth a visit. We hope to try some more while we are out there before the wedding next year. If you find anything great then please let us know!