text Teresa Favi

August 27, 2025

Food

The grape harvest in Tuscany: how to participate, visits and picnics among the vineyards

The most beautiful grape harvests in Tuscany where you can experience them

Between late summer and early autumn, the Tuscan hills come alive as never before, because in this region that produces great wines, the grape harvest has always been a celebration. Many wine cellars open to the public, offering the opportunity to experience close contact between rows of vines, bunches of grapes and shears.

It is therefore the right season to take a tour of the most scenic vineyards and the most renowned farms, because it is precisely now that you can understand how the production process begins, learn about the curiosities and secrets of the perfect grape harvest in a special atmosphere: during the day, the sun's September rays, more slanted than in full summer, offer softly golden and nuanced views of the landscape, while the colours of the vegetation slowly begin to bend towards the reds, yellows and browns of autumn.

When to go grape picking

Traditionally located in September, harvest time has been extended over the last twenty years: it begins in August and ends in late October.

In the territories facing or close to the Tyrrhenian coast - those of Morellino and Montecucco in the Maremma, Bolgheri and Val di Cornia in the province of Livorno, the Colline Pisane, Montecarlo in the province of Lucca to Lunigiana in the province of Massa Carrara - harvesting begins in mid-August and lasts until the end of September. The Sangiovese grapes of Chianti Classico, Chianti and Brunello are harvested between September and October.

The timing of the harvest, which can vary a few weeks more or less each year depending on weather conditions, is dictated by a number of determining factors: 1) the geographic position of the vineyard (grapes from a vineyard facing the coast ripen faster than those from an estate in the interior of the region); 2) the height of the cultivated land in relation to sea level (at 100 metres above sea level, they ripen earlier than at 300 metres above sea level); 3) the type of grape variety: Pinot, Sauvignon and Chardonnay (the production of white and sparkling wines) are harvested first, then it is the turn of Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah, and finally come the late varieties such as Sangiovese and Canaiolo; 4) last but not least, the climate change that is causing temperatures to rise in both winter and summer, which leads to an acceleration of the ripening process of the grapes.

How to participate in the grape harvest

At this time of year, you will be surprised at the large number of small farms that happily accept extra help in their vineyards. Always remember to remind the owners when booking that you would like to participate in the planned activities. Although they can hardly guarantee the exact period during which the grape harvest will take place, if they know from the outset that you are interested they will inform you upon arrival and invite you to participate.

You can check the website of the Movimento Turistico del Vino (a non-profit organisation that brings together about one hundred members from among the most prestigious wineries in the area, selected on the basis of specific requirements, first and foremost that of the quality of the wine tourism reception) where the member wineries open to the public during the grape harvest and their programmes are listed. These range from grape harvesting for the family, with the possibility for the little ones to press the grapes with their feet, to guided tours by oenologists to explain the key stages step by step. Then picnics on the vine rows at sunset, at the end of the grape harvest, as well as grape harvest lunches and dinners, as tradition dictates.

Where to go to participate in the grape harvest

From the picture-postcard vineyards of Bolgheri and the Etruscan Coast to the noble DOCGs, such as Brunello, Chianti Classico (click here for Gaiole, here for Greve, and here for Radda, here for Panzano), Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Vernaccia di San Gimignano, to the emerging territories of Val di Cornia and Lunigiana, to the magical landscapes of Val Orcia, the bucolic landscapes of the Maremma, or the more historic ones of Carmignano and Chianti Rufina.

Our tips

To learn about the best Tuscan wineries where to eat among the vines click here
To know the difference between Chianti Classico and Chianti click here
For the best restaurants by the sea in Maremma click here
For the best restaurants in the villages of Maremma click here
For the best restaurants in San Gimignano click here

A taste of the opportunities for the 2025 harvest

Arezzo

BUCCIA NERA – Località Campriano 9, Arezzo
Saturday 13 & 20 September 2025
The Children’s Harvest (10:30 AM – 3:00 PM)

10:30: manual grape harvest, cellar tour & grape stomping
12:30: tasting of two wines and EVO oil
1:00 PM: picnic basket lunch in the pine grove
Small groups, limited spots. Booking required: info@buccianera.it – WhatsApp +39 3492419716 – Tel. +39 0575 1696461
Fees: €50 adults (18+), €40 adults/teens without wine, €30 children (2–12)
Family-friendly event

TENUTA DI FRASSINETO – Strada Vicinale del Duca 14, Loc. Frassineto, Arezzo
Sunday 21 September 2025, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
Cantine Aperte in Vendemmia

Walk through the vineyards and guided cellar tours (New & Historic Cellar)
Discover the Champenoise method in the historic Barricaia
Picnic with 3 wines and Tuscan specialties
Booking online: Tenuta di Frassineto Events Calendar
Fees: €35 adults; €20 ages 13–17; €12 ages 7–12; free for children under 6

Grosseto

AZIENDA AGRICOLA PUROVINO – Podere Corso 27, Montiano (GR)
Saturday 6 September 2025
Harvest with Us

Hands-on grape picking of Vermentino
Vineyard and winery tour with the winemaker, must tasting
Lunch on the terrace with Tuscan cold cuts, cheeses & local produce
Booking required by 1 September: info@purovino.it – Tel. +39 353 4099166
Fees: €50 adults – €28 under 18
Recommended for children 10+

CANTINA I VINI DI MAREMMA – Loc. Il Cristo, Marina di Grosseto
13 September & 11 October 2025
Cellar & Taste: A Story of Local Flavors

Exclusive winery tour with insights into winemaking
Tasting of 3 wines (white, rosé, red) paired with local products
Family-friendly: artisan juice and local snacks for children
Booking required: eventi@ivinidimaremma.it – Tel. +39 342 8439229
Fees: €35 adults – €20 children

FATTORIA LA MALIOSA – Saturnia (GR)
20–21 September & 11–12 October 2025
The Vintner’s Snack

Local porchetta sandwich & homemade grape schiacciata
Two glasses of natural wine included
Visit to the estate during harvest time
Booking required: info@fattorialamaliosa.it – Tel. +39 327 1860416
Fee: €19 per person
Family-friendly event

Pistoia

FATTORIA CASALBOSCO – Via Montalese 117, Santomato (PT)
14 & 21 September 2025, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
The Children’s Harvest

Grape picking and stomping
Personalized label design for their own bottle souvenir
Winery tour and open-air snack
Gift backpack with juice, water, snack & mini wine bottle
Booking required: info@fattoriacasalbosco.it – WhatsApp +39 345 6540544
Fees: €20 per child; optional €15 tasting for parents

SOCIETÀ AGRICOLA MARINI GIUSEPPE – Via B. Sestini 274, Pistoia
Saturday 6 September 2025
Children Winemakers for a Day

Harvesting and traditional grape stomping
Visit to the Vinsantaia with stories of Vin Santo making
Old-style snack: bruschetta & fresh grape juice for kids; wine & cold cuts for adults
Diploma for each “young winemaker”
Booking required: info@marinifarm.it – Tel. +39 0573 451162 / +39 392 9587997
Fees: €15 children; €20 adults; free for ages 0–3

Siena

CAMIGLIANO – Via d’Ingresso 2, Loc. Camigliano, Montalcino (SI)
📅 Date: Saturday 11 October 2025
🥖 Event: Breakfast in the Vineyard

Focaccia cooking class with Chef Francesco (11:30 AM – 2:30 PM)
Vineyard picnic with garden-fresh products
Brunello di Montalcino tasting in the medieval square
Tasting of organic olive oil and honey from the estate
Booking required: info@camigliano.it – Tel. +39 0577 816061
Fees: €25 per activity; €60 for the full vineyard picnic
Family-friendly event

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