Chianti is a beautiful row of hills that embraces the heart of central Tuscany and the provinces of Siena, Arezzo and Florence. The name “Chianti” is derived from the Etruscan name “Clante-i”, meaning “water”. It’s a fitting title as Chianti is shaped by a protected area known as the Chianti Classico, crossed by the Pesa and Arbia Rivers and covered in numerous hot and cold springs.

The Chianti hills stretch across 30km and are home to nine different municipalities: Castelnuovo Berardenga, Castellina in Chianti, Poggibonsi, Barberino Val d’Elsa, Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, San Casciano, Val di Pesa, Greve in Chianti, Radda in Chianti and Gaiole in Chianti.

The towns of Greve, Radda, Gaiole and Castellina are entirely within the protected area known as Chianti Classico, while the other municipalities are only partially within it.

The boundaries of the Chianti region, and more precisely the boundaries of the incredibly famous and widely appreciated Chianti wine region, were established by the Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo III in 1716. They cover an area of 70,000 hectares and remain largely unaltered today. In 1932, a more definitive border was established in Chianti to ensure the protection of its wine growing heritage, which is said to have been started by the Etruscans who lived in this area centuries ago.

HOW TO GET TO CHIANTI:

From Bucine there are two “front doors” into Chianti: the porta di Caviglia and the porta di Castelnuovo Berardenga:

1. From Bucine you head for Levane. At the traffic lights in the town centre, turn left towards Montevarchi. Once in Montevarchi take the famous street “Chiantigiana” 408, heading for Caviglia.

Once you arrive in Caviglia you are in Chianti and can follow the signs to where you want to go: Radda in Chianti (from Bucine tot. 30 km.) Castellina in Chianti (from Bucine tot. 42km) , Gaiole in Chianti (from Bucine tot. 28km)

2. From Bucine along the 540: Head towards Amber-Siena for 20.7 km until you reach the intersection “Colonna del Grillo”. Here, turn immediately right towards Castelnuovo Berardenga (total mileage: 25km). From here on, you’re in Chianti and can follow the signs to where you want to go: Castle Brolio (from Bucine tot. 36km), Meleto (from Bucine tot. 43km), Radda in Chianti (from Bucine tot. 49km), Gaiole in Chianti (from Bucine tot. 45km).

Once in Radda in Chianti, you can explore the province of Florence and the city of Florence. From Radda to continue towards Greve in Chianti along the beautiful 222, which goes through Florence. (From Bucine tot. 95km)

RESTAURANTS RECOMMENDED BY ITALIAN DINING OUT GUIDE “Gambero Rosso”:
Radda in Chianti: Trattoria “La Bottega”, loc.Volpaia, piazza della Torre 2, tel: 0577/738001,
closed on Tuesdays.
Gaiole in Chianti: Ristorante “Osteria del Castello”, loc. Brolio, tel: 0577/747277, closed
on Thursdays.
Castellina in Chianti: Ristorante “Albergaccio Castellina, Via Fiorentina 63, tel: 0577/741042,
closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Greve in Chianti: Ristorante “Giovanni da Verrazzano, Piazza Matteotti 28, tel: 055/853189,
closed on Mondays.

THE MUNICIPALITIES OF CHIANTI IN THE FIORENTINA AREA :
• Greve in Chianti
• Impruneta
• San Casciano in Val di Pesa
• Tavarnelle in Val di Pesa

MUNICIPALITIES OF CHIANTI IN THE SENESE AREA:
• Castellina in Chianti
• Radda in Chianti
• Gaiole in Chianti
• Castelnuovo Berardenga
• Poggibonsi

INFORMATION
Castelnuovo Berardenga Tourist Office: Via del Chianti 61, tel: 0577-357150
Gaiole in Chianti Pro-Loco: Via Ricasoli 50, tel: 0577-749411
Radda in Chianti Pro-Loco: Piazza Ferrucci 1, tel: 0577-738494

EVENTS IN FLORENCE:
Calcio in Costume:

19 and 24/06: In the streets of the city and Santa Croce Santa Maria Novella
28/06 Final: In Piazza Santa Croce

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS IN CHIANTI:
GREVE: Review of the Chianti Classico, 2nd week in September
STRADA IN CHIANTI: Festa della Civiltà Contadina – Festival of the Farmers, 4th week of April