Volpaia is a charming Tuscan village with just a few inhabitants, another one of my favourites besides Montefioralle. This wine-making hamlet is hiding among the Chianti hills, and it's easy to just drive by. But you shouldn't! Watch out for the signs by the road between Greve and Rhadda in Chianti, you will have to turn off onto a smaller road. Volpaia is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and forests, and you can enjoy a great view from the village. The fortified borgo was built in the 11th century on the border of Florence and Siena, and it's one of the best preserved villages in Tuscany.
Chianti Classico is the world-famous product of Volpaia, but they also produce amazing Super Tuscans and Vin Santo. Wine has been made here for around 900 years! Most of the buildings belong to the Castello di Volpaia winery, beautiful cellars are hiding under the houses. If you like good wines, you should definitely do a wine tasting here. I am pretty sure you'll end up with a few bottles, which you can finish in the evening in your agriturismo. If you get hungry, go to "La Bottega", which is the most famous restaurant of the area. Food is fresh, simple and top quality. You can try several traditional dishes of Tuscany here, like pasta with porcini mushrooms, ribollita, rabbit, or the famous bistecca alla Fiorentina. Great desserts as well! Bar Ucci is also a favourite, a great spot for coffee, a glass of wine, or some prosciutto crudo and pecorino, if you are not so hungry.
Luckily Volpaia is unspoilt by mass tourism, the small streets are really quiet. There is no main sight here, just ancient stone houses, large, rustic wooden doors, entrances decorated with flowers, small squares, a church (Chiesa di Sant'Eufrosino) and a well, but this simplicity makes Volpaia so charming. So if you love under-the-radar places, make sure you turn off at the Volpaia sign. Enjoy a slow drive on the winding, picturesque road to the village, take a walk on the medieval streets, get a glass of wine or a simple Tuscan dish. There are no modern buildings here, no souvenir shops, no cars and no crowds. Just history, a unique atmosphere, nice local people, great food and wine. A perfect slow travel destination.
