Tuscany is one of the great wine regions of the world, as beautiful as it is prolific, an ideal place to holiday, sip, sit back, relax, and enjoy. Throughout the year, there are all sorts of wine-lead events and festivals as well and there are several great times to choose to plan a wine-based vacation in Tuscany but, if we were to recommend one in the coming months, during the lovely springtime in the region, it would be the Orcia Wine Festival in April. Just browse our vacation rentals in the Val d'Orcia and plan to attend this amazing festival and try some delicious Tuscan wines for yourself in the stunning surroundings of this gorgeous part of the region.
Taking place each year during the last weekend in April, in the town of San Quirico d'Orcia, the Orcia Wine Festival is an event that was created in order to promote and celebrate the excellence of the wine production of the Val d’Orcia. Conceived and organised by the Municipality of San Quirico d'Orcia, the fair takes place in the beautiful eighteenth century rooms of the Palazzo Chigi and involves technical tasting sessions, food and wine tastings, specialist talks and the organising of visits to the wineries in which the excellent local wines that are showcased over the course of the festival are actually produced.
Taking place each year during the last weekend in April, in the town of San Quirico d'Orcia, the Orcia Wine Festival is an event that was created in order to promote and celebrate the excellence of the wine production of the Val d’Orcia. Conceived and organised by the Municipality of San Quirico d'Orcia, the fair takes place in the beautiful eighteenth century rooms of the Palazzo Chigi and involves technical tasting sessions, food and wine tastings, specialist talks and the organising of visits to the wineries in which the excellent local wines that are showcased over the course of the festival are actually produced.
Linking the end product – the wines – to the land and places from which they originate, the fair makes for a wonderful opportunity for local businesses to interact with potential stockists, buyers, and companies and for tourists to learn more about Tuscan wine. Business professionals, experts, enthusiasts, and those casually interested in Tuscan wine can all come together under one roof and share information and passion for the product. In 1996 in San Quirico d’Orcia, companies in the area managed to obtain the Typical Geographical Indication (IGT) and then the DOC under the name Orcia in 2000 and, in 2010, the Orcia Wine Festival was born in collaboration with Onav (National Organization of Wine Tasters), the Province of Siena, Region of Tuscany and the patronage of the Ministry of Economic Development.
The DOC wine of the Orcia Valley must be made from red grapes with a minimum 60% of Sangiovese and includes white, rosé and vin Santo wines from a production area that includes 12 towns in Val D'Orcia; Buonconvento, Castiglione d'Orcia, Pienza, Radicofani, Trequanda, Abbadia San Salvatore, Chianciano Terme, Montalcino, San Casiano dei Bagni, Sarteano, and Torrita di Siena.
The DOC wine of the Orcia Valley must be made from red grapes with a minimum 60% of Sangiovese and includes white, rosé and vin Santo wines from a production area that includes 12 towns in Val D'Orcia; Buonconvento, Castiglione d'Orcia, Pienza, Radicofani, Trequanda, Abbadia San Salvatore, Chianciano Terme, Montalcino, San Casiano dei Bagni, Sarteano, and Torrita di Siena.
This year's edition will take place from April the 25th to the 28th, offering a programming of wine tastings, winery tours, food tastings, cooking classes and discussions with wine producers, wineries and industry insiders. The crowning event is the Gala Dinner, for which reservation is required as limited seats are available, but the other mainstay is the Palazzo Chigi exhibition market with its tasting area for wines and typical products of the Val D'Orcia that remains open throughout the entirety of the event; be sure to try the delicious olive oils, white truffles, the Cinta Senese salami, Pienza cheeses and more! Plus, if you have kids, you don't have to miss out as the event organises a kid's area where you can leave your children to play with peers, attend workshops, and more, all while being supervised and taken care of.
So, what in the world are you waiting for? A whole gamut of flavours, endless delicious treats, fun events, and much more besides all awaits in this stunning village in Tuscany this April. Wine-lovers of the world looking for a great holiday destination, you need look no further!
So, what in the world are you waiting for? A whole gamut of flavours, endless delicious treats, fun events, and much more besides all awaits in this stunning village in Tuscany this April. Wine-lovers of the world looking for a great holiday destination, you need look no further!
