Cantina de' Ricci & Vino Nobile Tasting
Montepulciano is the birthplace of Vino Nobile, one of Italy's great DOCG reds made from Sangiovese Grosso — and nowhere is it more atmospheric to taste it than in the medieval cellars carved directly into the volcanic tufa beneath the town. Cantina de' Ricci on Via Ricci is among the oldest and most dramatic.
Into the Cellars
Descend the stone staircase into a labyrinth of barrel-vaulted rooms where Vino Nobile has been ageing since the 16th century. The temperature stays a constant 14 °C year-round, and the silence is broken only by the faint drip of condensation and the occasional pop of a cork.
The cellar stretches for roughly 300 metres under the historic centre, passing beneath palazzi and alleyways. Guides point out the oldest terracotta storage jars — some dating to the 1600s — still lined up along the walls.
What to Taste
A standard tasting flight typically covers the Rosso di Montepulciano DOC (younger, more approachable), the Vino Nobile DOCG (minimum two years in oak), and the Vino Nobile Riserva (three years). Ask specifically for a single-vineyard Riserva if the vintage allows — the difference in complexity is revelatory.
Pair your tasting with a plate of local pici al ragù or a board of Cinta Senese salumi from the shop above. The cantina also sells bottles to take away at cellar-door prices significantly below retail.
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