Montepulciano Cellar Tours
The whole ridge is soft volcanic tufa, and for five centuries the families on the Corso dug down into it. The cellars run beneath the palazzi in vaulted galleries — some reaching Etruscan tomb chambers — where the barrels sit at a constant temperature without any help. Several open straight off the main street, so you can walk in from the sunshine and be underground in a minute.
144 tours · prices per person, book with partner
Historic Cellars in Montepulciano — FAQ
What are the tufa cellars of Montepulciano?
Cellars carved into the volcanic rock under the old town, some dating to the Middle Ages and a few cut through Etruscan burial chambers. The rock keeps a steady temperature and humidity year round, which is why the wine has always been aged here rather than in the vineyards.
Which cellars can you visit in Montepulciano?
Several historic cantine open directly onto the Corso and Piazza Grande, including the cellars beneath Palazzo Contucci and the Cantine del Redi with its deep galleries. Most offer a short tour with a tasting for €25–€35.
Do you need to book a cellar tour in advance?
Not always — some cellars take walk-ins during the day. Guided tours, lunches in the cellar and anything at harvest time in September should be booked ahead, since space underground is limited.