After a good night’s sleep and a quick breakfast, we loaded up in the car and headed out to Tuscany for a day in the hill towns. After a quick hour drive north, we came to our first stop, Montepulciano. Here we found a parking spot and started walking up the hill to Piazza Grande where we took a quick walk through the Cathedral and took in a cantina (cellar). While at the Contucci Cantina, we were treated to all the samples we could drink with no pressure to buy.  After several tasty reds, we decided to go with five reds and one white. This specific winery is owned, operated, and manufactured locally and (according to Adamo, the cellarman) featured on American PBS. From there we proceeded back down the hill, taking in the views of the Tuscan hillsides.

Our next stop was Piensa, where we paused for a quick lunch on our way to Montalcino.

Once to Montalcino, our first stop was at the biggest wine store we’d seen yet. After a few minutes of being awe struck at the huge selection, we decided to take home just one bottle of €35 Brunello di Montalcino 2005, the area’s number one wine. As we paid for the bottle, we were instructed that it is to be opened and let breathe for two hours before drinking it. I guess we’re starting to get fancy with our wines. 🙂

At this point in our day, we were ready for a drive through the Tuscan countryside, simply taking in the views. Sadly, this is where our Tuscan experience ends.

This is a shot looking out from Montepulciano.

This is Montalcino up on the hilltop, taken as we approached the town.