Montepulciano

Montepulciano, a rare jewel of a walled hill town that not only oozes charm in its narrow, cobbled streets but is also center stage for the delicious Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. This wealthy town was home to many aristocrats who built magnificent palaces here. The heart of the city is the Piazza Grande where you find the dramatic 13^th-century Palazzo Comunale accented by a stone tower. Also facing the square is the picturesque Palazzo Contucci, fronted by a charming Renaissance well decorated with the Medici coat of arms and highlighted by two stone lions. Leading off the Pizza Grande are small streets that crisscross the town, connected by staircases. A masterpiece you absolutely must not miss when visiting Montepulciano is the Temple of San Biagio, a stunning church located on the west edge of town. You can walk from town, but it is a long way down the hill and then back up again, so you might want to drive, especially in hot weather. Made of creamy travertine, the church’s façade is extremely picturesque and its elegant interior is equally lovely—nothing cluttered or dark but rather light and airy, with fine marble pastel-colored walls. Within Montepulciano there are many boutiques, restaurants, and cantinas selling wine. Our favorite wine shop here is an extremely special one, the very old Cantina del Redi, located just down the street from the Piazza Grande with its entrance next to the Palazzo Ricco. Another of our favorite wineries, Dei, is just a few kilometers outside Montepulciano’s city walls. What is especially fun about this winery is that it is family-owned and managed by the lovely daughter, Maria Caterina Dei, who still lives in the beautiful family villa on the property. Maria Caterina is passionate about wine.