Festival weekend planner
Benvenuto Brunello — a 3-day weekend in Tuscany
19–23 November 2026. Montalcino, Italy. 40 min from the airport.
The weekend, day by day
- Day 1
Arrive in Montalcino
Land at Florence Peretola Airport (FLR), settle in and walk the old town in the afternoon. Light dinner near your accommodation — save your appetite for the festival day.
- Day 2
Benvenuto Brunello
Festival day — arrive early to avoid the lunchtime crowd. Pace yourself across the tastings and break for a long lunch mid-afternoon.
- Day 3
Wine country day in Tuscany
Use the third day for a single winery visit (booked ahead) and a long lunch before heading home.
Where to stay
- Hotels in Montalcino
Live availability around the festival dates. Festival hotels book out 6+ months ahead, so check early.
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One winery worth a detour
Gravner
WTG pickThe birthplace of the modern orange wine movement — Gravner's qvevri cellar in a Slovenian border village is wine's most important pilgrimage.
- Address
- Località Lenzuolo Bianco 9, 34170 Oslavia, Gorizia, Italy
- Appointment
- required
- Tasting price
- Free tasting with cellar tour
- Website
- Visit
Where to eat
Trattoria Mario
€No-frills communal-table trattoria in Florence's San Lorenzo market, open since 1953
Must try: Bistecca alla fiorentina
More dining picks in Tuscany →Practical
- Nearest airport
- Florence Peretola Airport (FLR)
- Festival site
- Visit official site
Insider tip
Skip the main public sessions and network with smaller producers during the afternoon tastings—they're more candid about vintage variation and aging potential. Seek out the younger estates like Barbi or Lisini who often offer the most insightful pourings outside the formal press circus.
Want a longer trip than the festival weekend?
The milestone-trip planner builds a 3–10 day Tuscany itinerary with accommodation, tours, and pacing options.
Plan a Tuscany trip →