Festival weekend planner
Benvenuto Brunello — a 3-day weekend in Tuscany
9–15 February 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. 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.
- Day 3
Wine country day in Tuscany
Use the third day for a single winery visit (booked ahead) and a long lunch at one of the regional addresses below before heading home.
Where to stay
Three angles for the festival window. Festival hotels book out 6+ months in advance — apartments are the contingency when the main shortlist is sold out.
- Hotels in Montalcino
Live inventory around the festival window — 2 adults, all star ratings.
- 4–5 star options near Montalcino
Higher-end shortlist when you want the milestone weekend treatment.
- Apartments in Montalcino
Self-catering option — useful when festival hotels sell out 6+ months ahead.
Booking.com links — we may earn a commission. We never recommend hotels we wouldn't use ourselves.
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)
- Mid-range daily budget
- ~€220/day for two
- 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 →