Wine and olive oil with San Gimignano views. In a private Vernaccia vineyard, you get guided tasting of organic wines and EVO olive oils, plus a proper Tuscan meal. One heads-up: it’s about 90 minutes, so you won’t get a long, slow winery saga.

This one starts at a small family farm just outside town, where the tasting happens with the towers of San Gimignano in sight. I like the pacing: you taste, eat, and reset between pours, with the tour portion kept short enough for hot afternoons. You’ll also want to plan for food variety by season—your pasta sauce and veg sides can change.

Key things that make this tasting stand out

• Vernaccia vineyard setting with views back to San Gimignano’s towers
• Organic, ecosystem-first farming since the farm switched methods in 2000 (certified organic from 2003)
• 3–5 wines plus 3 EVO oils (how many you taste depends on what’s currently offered)
• Real olive oil range: rosemary, garlic, hot chilly, truffle, and porcini options
• A full Tuscan lunch built around fresh, seasonal ingredients
• Private group experience with a guide who keeps the mood relaxed and the explanations clear

Private Vernaccia Vineyard Setting Near San Gimignano’s Towers

Meeting in San Gimignano, you’ll start at Via Martiri di Citerna, 2. The tasting venue is within walking distance from the town center, which matters because you can do this without stressing about parking or rides. The setting is a working vineyard, so you’re not stuck in a sterile tasting room.

What you’re really buying here is the combination of place and pacing. The farm sits in the countryside with a view toward San Gimignano, including those signature towers. That matters because it turns a tasting into a real half-day moment—even though it’s only about 1 hour 30 minutes.

This is also a private experience, meaning it’s just your group. Fewer people usually means more time at the table, fewer rushed tastings, and more room for questions in the middle of eating and drinking.

Organic and biodynamic-style farming: what you’re tasting

The farm’s approach is the backbone of the whole experience. Back in 2000, the family converted to organic-style cultivation, using only natural products and focusing on soil fertility and the broader ecosystem. Since 2003, their products are certified organic.

You don’t need a farming degree to taste the results, but it helps to know what that philosophy aims to do:

• For wine: organic cultivation focuses on healthy vine balance, which influences flavor and texture in the bottle.
• For olive oil: the olives’ growth conditions and harvest timing shape aroma and bitterness, and those show up when you smell and taste.
• For both: an ecosystem-first method means the farm is thinking beyond just grapes or just olives—it’s about what supports the whole place.

In plain terms, you’re tasting from a farm that treats “how it’s made” as part of the flavor, not just a label on the back.

Wine and EVO tasting lineup: Vernaccia to Chianti, rosemary to porcini

The tasting covers two different product worlds: wines and extra virgin olive oils. The exact number varies, but plan on sampling 3–5 organic wines and 3 EVO oils.

The wines on the table

The list you may taste includes a mix of local, classic, and dessert-friendly styles:

• Visila della Marronaia, Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG bio
• Mille Colori della Marronaia, IGT Bianco Toscano bio
• Rosa Della Marronaia, IGT Rosato Toscano bio
• Nottolo della Marronaia, Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG bio
• Millenium Dino della Marronaia, Chianti Classico DOCG
• Intenso della Marronaia, IGT Sangiovese Rosso Toscano bio
• Quattrorsi della Marronaia, IGT Rosso Toscano Barrique
• Piuma della Marronaia, Sparkling wine
• Santuccio della Marronaia, Vinsanto dessert wine

That spread is useful because it keeps the tasting from feeling one-note. You might start with something bright and local (like Vernaccia), then move into reds such as Chianti Classico or Sangiovese-based bottles, with the possibility of sparkling and a dessert finish via Vinsanto.

The EVO olive oils you’ll sample

This is where the experience really gets fun for food people. You may taste 3 of their EVO oils, chosen from options like:

• Natural Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Limited Edition Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Rosemary olive oil
• Garlic olive oil
• Hot Chilly olive oil
• Truffle olive oil
• Porcini Mushrooms olive oil

Here’s the practical way to enjoy this: use the oils like mini “flavor lessons.” Smell first, then taste a small amount. Notice how the aroma hits before the oil even spreads. If you go for something like hot chilly or garlic, expect it to bring more punch than the standard natural oil. Truffle and porcini can feel more like savory finishing oils—great for bread and simple bites.

If you’re curious about pairing, this kind of setup is ideal because you’re eating alongside the tasting. You’re not just drinking—you’re trying oils with Tuscan food.

What happens during the visit: vineyard, farm, then tasting and lunch

The flow is straightforward, which is part of why it works well for a short San Gimignano visit.

1. Vineyard visit first

You’ll start by seeing the Vernaccia vineyard area. This is the “place” component—why Vernaccia matters here, and how the vines fit into the farm setup.

1. Quick farm look-over

After that, you’ll visit the farm. This is where the farming style and the olive-wine connection make more sense.

1. Tasting and then lunch

The tasting happens during the experience, and the meal lands after. The timing is built so you’re not left waiting forever once you’re seated, and you’re not pushed to keep drinking past comfort.

From reviews, the guide experience can be a highlight—one guide name that comes up is Davide, who’s described as friendly and very good at guiding people through what they’re tasting. In a tasting like this, that matters. You want someone to keep things clear and calm, not turn it into a lecture marathon.

Tuscan lunch on the farm: bruschetta, pasta, pecorino, and cantucci

The lunch is more than a snack. This isn’t a “drink and pretend we fed you” situation.

Your meal includes classic Tuscan structure:

Starters

You can see different versions depending on what’s ready, but it’s built around:

• Tuscan bruschettas with different sauces
• A platter of charcuterie and cheeses (including a selection of local flavors)

The sauces and vegetables can change with the season, and the key detail is that the food is made with fresh products.

First course

• Pasta with tomatoes sauce

It’s simple, but simple is smart when you’ve already got wines and oils in your head. Tomato-forward pasta also gives you a clean baseline to compare flavors.

Second course

• A selection of pecorino cheeses and cold meats

Pecorino is a great pairing for both wine and olive oil because it has structure—salt, tang, and bite. That helps each tasting feel more intentional rather than random.

Dessert

• Brick oven cantucci (typical Tuscan biscuits) with the dessert wine

This is the kind of finish that feels very Tuscan: dry biscuit + sweet wine. It’s also a natural match if one of your pours includes Vinsanto, since the dessert pairing is built into the concept.

Dietary needs

Allergies and gluten-free requests can be managed, but you should state needs at booking. Don’t wait until the day of. The sooner the farm knows, the easier it is to keep your meal comfortable.

Pacing: a relaxed 90-minute food and drink window

At about 1 hour 30 minutes, this is designed for travelers who want a memorable Tuscany moment without sacrificing the rest of the day.

The pacing tends to follow a rhythm:

• taste a set
• eat a course
• taste again
• take in the setting

That “don’t rush the table” approach shows up in the way people describe it. Even in hot weather, the tour portion doesn’t stretch too long. The overall vibe is calm—more time for savoring, less time herding.

Practical tip: wear comfortable shoes. You’re walking and moving around the farm area, even if it isn’t a big hiking day.

Price and value: $81.70 for private wine, EVO, and lunch

The price is $81.70 per person, and the big value point is what’s bundled in.

You’re getting:

• a Tuscan lunch
• a wine tasting
• EVO olive oil tasting
• bottled water
• alcoholic beverages

If you tried to recreate this on your own in San Gimignano—separately booking tastings and then finding a lunch that matches it—you’d usually spend more time and more money. Here, the farm controls the flow, and you’re eating right alongside the tasting items.

It’s also a strong value format for couples and small groups because it’s private. You’re paying for convenience plus atmosphere, not just product.

Who should book this tasting, and who might not?

This fits best if you want:

• a short, high-quality food-and-wine experience
• a real farm setting rather than a showroom
• to taste multiple wines and multiple olive oils, not just one or two samples
• a meal that actually feels like lunch, not an add-on

It’s less ideal if:

• you’re hunting for a longer winery tour with lots of behind-the-scenes production time (this one keeps the tour part relatively short)
• you’re picky about style—olive oil and wine are personal tastes, and even with a great setup, you might not love every bottle or oil

Still, that’s part of why tastings work. You’re not locked into one wine; you’re comparing and calibrating your palate.

Quick tips to get the most from your wine and EVO flight

A few simple moves can make this feel more memorable:

• Tell them your dietary needs early, including gluten-free or allergy details.
• Sip, don’t chug. You’ll taste more than one wine and oil, and you want to stay sharp for the meal.
• Smell the oils first. It’s usually the fastest way to notice rosemary vs garlic vs hot chilly.
• Use the food to reset your palate. Bruschetta and pasta make the next pour easier to enjoy.
• Ask questions while you eat. If Davide (or your guide) is explaining how biodynamic-minded organic practices connect to flavor, this is when it sinks in.

And one more small idea: if you’re the type who likes a walk, you may get encouraged to stroll the grounds after the tasting. Keep an eye on your time and keep it easy—farms are full of interesting corners, but they’re also working spaces.

Should you book Podere la Marronaia’s private Tuscan tasting?

Yes, if your ideal day in San Gimignano includes a private farm meal, a serious olive oil tasting, and a quick winery-style experience without eating up your entire afternoon.

Skip it if you’re mainly after a long production tour or you want zero focus on wine and oils. Also consider that tastings include a range of styles (sparkling and dessert wine among them), so if you dislike sweet finishes, mention preferences when you arrive or book.

If you want a clean, value-heavy way to understand Tuscan flavors—from the vine to the olive press—this one is a smart bet.

FAQ

Where does the experience start?

It starts at Via Martiri di Citerna, 2, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italy, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the private Tuscan meal with wine and EVO oil tasting take?

The experience runs for about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Is this experience private?

Yes. It’s a private experience, so only your group participates.

What’s included in the price?

Included: lunch, wine tasting, EVO oil tasting, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages.

How many wines and olive oils do you taste?

You’ll taste 3/5 wines and 3/5 EVO oils, depending on what’s served during your session.

Can they handle dietary restrictions or gluten-free requests?

Yes. Allergies and gluten-free requests are surely possible to manage, but you should advise them at booking.

What are the minimum drinking age rules?

The minimum drinking age is 18 years.

Is transportation or hotel pick-up included?

No. Transportation to and from attractions and hotel pick-up/drop-off are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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