After living in the center of Rome for almost four years, I’m an expert at avoiding crowds in Italy. When looking for wine tours in Tuscany, I always choose a relaxed route along stunning backroads that deliver all the La Dolce Vita feels of Italian wine country — while still avoiding the headaches of overtourism.
One of my favorite places to visit is the lesser-known wine region of Italy, Terre di Pisa. Nestled between Florence and Pisa, it will make you feel like you have Tuscany (almost) to yourself, even in high season. If you’re looking for where to stay in Tuscany, look no further. Terre di Pisa is a vibrant region filled with authentic village life, Michelin-starred hilltop restaurants, fabulous organic wineries, vine-draped rolling hills, ancient borgos, and verdant woods teeming with black and white truffles.
Ready to plan an epicurean wine-tasting adventure in Terre di Pisa, along its less traveled backroads? Here’s all you need to know about where to sip, day trip, dine, and stay in one of the best wine areas of Italy.
Where to Sip and Day Trip in This Wine Region of Italy
As a relatively new DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controlata), Terre di Pisa isn’t beholden to only one classic wine blend. Its vineyards offer an incredible variety of bright wines singing with salinity. For some of the best wines of Tuscany, try the Terre di Pisa Bianco, Terre di Pisa Vermentino, Terre di Pisa Rosato, and a variety of refined sparkling wines along the way.
San Miniato
A gourmand’s first stop along this Tuscan wine tour is San Miniato. An impossibly charming hilltop town, San Miniato is heralded for its elegant wines and white truffles. In fact, those are just two of the many reasons why Florence and Pisa have fought over San Miniato for centuries. Discover its cobblestone streets, medieval square, cathedral, impressive tower, and infinity views of rolling hills covered in vineyards.
While you’re there, make a stop at Pietro Beconcini winery. The owners Leonardo and Eva personally greet and guide each guest through their organic vineyard, which is teeming with fossilized seashells in the soil under your feet. A lush forest borders the vineyards where tartufaio (truffle hunter) Massimo Cucchiar and his dog Mela sniff out the aromatic delicacies. Get cozy in the tasting room and enjoy an afternoon spent sampling truffles and wine. Leonardo pours a Terre di Pisa Sangiovese so elegant that it can even be paired with a plain white truffle.
For your second stop in San Miniato, pass through Podere Pellicciano, a vineyard set on a historic organic farm. The vineyard specializes in Terre di Pisa monovarietals, including Colorino, Trebbiano, and Malvasia Nera. From these bottles, you can appreciate the purity of the grape as it expresses itself in a solo symphony.
Finally, round out the day with dinner and a view. The elegant Pepenero features stunning countryside views, a mouthwatering white truffle menu, and an extensive hyper-local wine cellar.
Terricciola
In the ancient Entruscan area of Terricciola, Azienda Agricola Castelvecchio winery offers a casual tasting alfresco with seasonal local specialties. Ask for the limited edition Massima Felicità, a Terre di Pisa Roso with notes of liquorice and cassis.
For a modern twist, stop at the tasting room and cellar of Podere La Chiesa. Although it’s surrounded by million-year-old limestone, the building is a true contemporary architectural masterpiece. Taste their vineyard’s Opera in Red, a Terre di Pisa Sangiovese DOC that’s round and elegant with a silky mouthfeel. Be sure to also check Podera La Chiesa’s calendar in advance for jazz concerts and modern art exhibitions.
If you’re looking for a more hands-on experience, try winery and agriturismo hot spot Fattoria di Fibbiano. With a farmhouse dating back to the 1700s, the winery has a vast profile of organic red, white, rose, and naturally fermented wines. During harvest, guests are invited to roll up their sleeves and pick grapes and olives and be a part of the process.
Lastly, to discover indigenous rare grape varietals, book a tasting on the stunning patio at the Marina Romin winery. Don’t miss her sweet dessert wine, Vin Santo del Chianti — it’s paradise in the mouth.
Lajatico
The birthplace of Andrea Bocelli, Lajatico is home to the incomparable Teatro del Silenzio — an outdoor amphitheater that majestically seems to float above the ground and touch the sky. Its rotating sculpture garden comes alive each summer concert season, greeting guests from around the world to experience magical outdoor musical performances starring Andrea Bocelli and friends.
Peccoli
Winner of the prestigious “Borgo dei Borghi d’Italia 2024”, organic wine and art pair beautifully in Peccoli. An open air museum, the entire village and its surroundings are immersed in art. Visit the work of David Tremlett, who transformed the entire Via di Mezzo in Ghizzano into a colorful contemporary installation.
After you’ve had your fill of art for the day, swing by Tenuta di Ghizzano and tour its organic and biodynamic vineyards, ending with a tasting of Il Ghizzano Bianco I.G.T. Costa Toscana and delicious local Terre di Pisa wines.
Palaia
Usiglian del Vescovo is an under-the-radar, must-try winery that also specializes in spirits and grows medicinal herbs in an ancient seabed terroir. If you’re not a vermouth lover, you’ll quickly become a convert — theirs may be the best I’ve ever had. Aromatic herbs like artemisia, helichrysum, rosemary, and oregano are combined with their pure organic wine to create this silky vermouth. Don’t forget to taste the superb London Dry Gin, made with native Tuscan herbs that grow on the nearby hills.
Where to Stay in Terre di Pisa
Borgo Pignano
A 750-acre Tuscan estate and centuries-old villa, Borgo Pignano is a green luxury hotel with 14 artfully decorated rooms and suites, as well as two exceptional restaurants. A saltwater infinity pool graces the villa with views of the woods, gardens, and neighboring hills. Try yoga or horseback riding, perfect your bocce ball skills, or simply lounge by the pool.
Villa Cosmiana
Nestled on a small hill in Peccioli, the impeccably renovated 17th-century, neoclassical Villa Cosmiana is surrounded by Italian gardens and 15 vineyards on 11 hectares. With four stunning apartments to choose from, this is true luxury agritourism at its finest. No expense was spared in the renovation to bring it back to its former glory, including walls adorned with classical and contemporary art.
Castelfalfi
A beautifully restored medieval borgo, Castelfalfi’s massive property offers a laundry list of selling points. From panoramic views to a castle, woods, a lake, 57 acres of organic vineyards, 9,000 olive trees, hiking trails, a spa, and a 12th-century church — the list is truly endless. Choose to stay in either their boutique hotel, luxury villas, or apartments. And dine inside a thousand-year-old castle at La Rocca Castelfalfi, which features a delicious plant-based tasting menu.
How to Get There and Get Around
Getting to Terre di Pisa is incredibly convenient. Fly into Galileo Galilei Airport in Pisa, with easy connections from many European cities and serviced by 19 airlines, including British Airways and Lufthansa.
If you’re already in Italy, the Pisa Centrale station is only 45 minutes from Florence via a high-speed train. I’d also recommend renting a car to explore Terre di Pisa’s backroads. Both the airport and train station have your choice of auto rentals available, from Budget to Alamo, and more.
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