Best 10 Wines of the Val d’Orcia (2023) – Jean Marco Palmieri

What are the best wines of the Val d’Orcia? A list with photos, description and tasting of the 20 best. Discover the best wineries in Val d’Orcia recommended by Italy’s Finest Wines.

Learn more about our articles dedicated to the best wines of Tuscany, Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, Bolgheri and Vernaccia di San Gimignano and Morellino di Scansano.

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INDEX

Orcia DOC

Val d’Orcia, Podere Belvedere

The Orcia DOC wine was born in 2000 and includes about 153 hectares distributed in the Val d’Orcia, a large Unesco heritage countryside located in Tuscany, in the province of Siena, north and east of Monte Amiata and close to the border with Umbria.

The municipalities that include the Orcia DOC are Buonconvento, Castiglione d’Orcia, Pienza, Radicofani, San Quirico d’Orcia and Trequanda and part of the municipalities of Abbadia San Salvatore, Chianciano Terme, Montalcino, San Casciano dei Bagni, Sarteano and Torrita di Siena .

Orcia DOC wine is produced starting from a minimum of 60% Sangiovese grapes to which can be added vines such as the native Canaiolo, Colorino, Foglia tonda and international varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet.

Orcia DOC wine can enter the market starting from March 1st following the harvest. In the case of the Riserva version, the aging times reach at least 24 months, of which at least 12 must be carried out in wooden barrels. The Orcia DOC wine is also available in the versions, Orcia DOC Sangiovese (minimum 90% Sangiovese), Orcia DOC Bianco, Orcia DOC Rosato and Orcia Vin Santo.

Tourism and Food and Wine of the Val d’Orcia

San Quirico d’Orcia, dove si svolge l’Orcia Wine Festival ogni anno

Val D’Orcia is a very popular tourist destination thanks to its evocative landscape views and its numerous medieval villages rich in art and history, including Pienza, San Quirico d’Orcia, Chianciano and Montalcino.

Being also crossed by the famous Via Francigena, the Val d’Orcia is also an ideal location for wine lovers who practice slow tourism, such as trekking and cycling.

Of great interest in the Val d’Orcia are also the countless spas, including the famous Chianciano Terme, Bagno Vignoni, Rapolano, San Filippo, San Casciano dei Bagni.

The great charm of the Val d’Orcia is also expressed in the typical food and wine products: in addition to the Orcia DOC wines you can in fact taste the typical Pici al Ragù di Chianina or Aglione, the Cinta Senese cured meats, the Pecorino di Pienza, the White Truffle, Saffron, Chiocciole from Val d’Orcia, Panforte, Chianina and Game meat.

Terroir of the Val d’Orcia

 Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta

Where are Orcia DOC wines born? The Mediterranean climate that characterizes the 43rd parallel of Tuscany in this area becomes gradually cooler and the temperature variations are accentuated with continentality.

The soils from which Orcia DOC wines are born are very varied although three macro-zones can be identified.

To the north towards Trequanda and Pienza clays and marine sands prevail, along the Orcia river there are lands with galestri and alberese and to the south, in the municipality of Castiglione d’Orcia and Campiglia, soils of volcanic origin can be found.

Val d’Orcia DOC wines

What are the characteristics of Orcia DOC wines? The key vine of Orcia DOC wines is Sangiovese, although many companies embellish it with other complementary varieties, giving life to wines with very heterogeneous expressions.

The approximately 40 companies present in the Orcia DOC are almost all small in size, which allows them to carry out an artisanal agronomic and oenological work. Many of the wineries in the Val d’Orcia are in fact organic, biodynamic, operate multiple crops and undertake rigorous choices aimed at promoting biodiversity and scenic beauty.

The common thread between the cellars of the Orcia DOC is therefore not to be found as in other denominations in a pedoclimatic and ampelographic homogeneity and its consequent organoleptic expression of the wines, but it is to be identified in the artisanal approach and in the synergistic commitment to enhancement of the territory and its scenic beauty.

It can therefore be asserted that the key element that binds the wineries of the Val d’Orcia is the most important in the very definition of the concept of terroir, that is human value.

BEST WINES OF VAL D’ORCIA recommended by Jean Marco Palmieri

What are the best wines of the Val d’Orcia?

Discover the wines recommended by Italy’s Finest Wines with our tasting so that everyone can find the ideal wine for their tastes and needs.

To learn more, also discover the articles dedicated to the wineries of Tuscany with information on the history, the terroir, the company philosophy and the entire range of wines of the individual companies.


Cenerentola 2018 – Donatella Cinelli Colombini 

Description: It opens in a kaleidoscope of clear notes of blackberry and wild blueberry embellished with hints of blood, leather, spicy echoes, goudron and humus.

The sip is dense and vibrant, with an acidity of sensational backbone well balanced between ripe and silky tannins and mineral sapidity that amplifies the course.

A wine of great intensity and taste-olfactory expressiveness that bets on the union between Sangiovese and the rare native Tuscan grape Foglia Tonda. Fully among the best wines of the Val d’Orcia for their skill in conveying the authentic eloquence of the terroir without compromise in a modern and internationally intelligible key.

Grapes: Sangiovese 65%, Foglia Tonda 35%

Frasi 2019 – Capitoni

Description: In evidence blackberry jam and violet, embellished with echoes of autumn spices and delicate woody nuances. Elegant and round on the palate, the tannic texture is velvety, supported by an acid component of backbone that stretches towards a savory and fruity finish. Excellent persistence.

An interpretation of Sangiovese that combines power and finesse. Deservedly among the best wines of the Val d’Orcia for the original dialectic between the juiciness of the fruit and the fresh and savory heart.

One of the best wineries in the Val d’Orcia, which pays great attention to the issues of environmental sustainability and vinification conducted without invasive elements to enhance the sincere and territorial character of the grapes and their expression in the different vintages.

Grapes: Sangiovese, Colorino, Canaiolo.

Il Tocco di Campotondo Riserva 2018 – Campotondo

Description: The nose is broad and complex, characterized by brushstrokes of violet, sour cherries, blueberry and mulberry, with a finish of white chocolate and sweet spices. On the palate it is voluminous and material: the tannic texture of good silkiness supports the drink, lengthening the sip towards a fruity finish of imperishable persistence.

The Tocco di Campotondo Riserva wine is one of the most convincing interpretations of pure Sangiovese from the Val d’Orcia for its finesse and aromatic expressiveness and persistence on the palate. Certainly one of the best wines of the Val d’Orcia.

Grapes: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Colorino

Trìbolo 2018 – Podere Albiano

Description: Olfactory reveals complex and fine articulating between tones of violet and orange blossom, blood orange flanked by spicy tones of black pepper, juniper berries and leather nuances.

On the palate it opens up vertical and vibrant, with tannins of moderate presence, ripe and compact, synergistically linked to the fresh component that gives balance, harmony and enjoyment to the sip.

The Trìbolo di Podere Albiano is among the best wines of the Val d’Orcia for its fascinating floral bouquet and the extraordinary acidity that gives freshness and dynamism to the sip. Very versatile in food pairing. The Bordeaux cuts of Podere Albiano are also of great interest.

Grapes: 100% Sangiovese

Aetos Riserva 2018 – Tenuta Sanoner

Description: It opens on intense notes of ripe blackberries and sour cherries to which they blend with sensations of cocoa powder, aromatic herbs and resin.

On the palate it is sapid, with a vigorous tannin well defined. Very clean finish in which the varietal character clearly echoes.

One of the best wines of the Val d’Orcia for balance and overall enological consistency. It seduces with clear and penetrating aromas and spreads opulently on the palate.

Grapes: Sangiovese 100%

Saltamacchia 2019 – La Nascosta

Description: Aromatic range layered on notes of violets, cherries and blackberries, followed by delicate minty nuances of nipitella.

On the palate it is juicy, supported by a material tannic texture, assisted by an acid line that gives depth and length to the sip. Finale of excellent persistence with fruity echoes on the varietal.

The Saltamacchia by La Nascosta is one with an exciting, expansive and enveloping sip. Without doubt among the best wines of the Val d’Orcia for presence and balance on the palate. Interesting combination of the exuberant character of Sangiovese and the more assertive one of Merlot.

Grapes: 90% Sangiovese, Merlot

Il Fattore Petit Verdot 2018 – Bagnaia

Description: It opens austere and intense outlining a bouquet that ranges from blackberry, black pears, green pepper, musk and roasting.

The palate is rich and dense with a captivating iodized mineral trail that amplifies the fruit.

Bagnaia delights us with an intriguing and multifaceted Petit Verdot, to be counted fully among the best wines of the Val d’Orcia for olfactory intensity.

Grapes: Petit Verdot 100%

Carro Stellato 2016 – Poggio al Vento

Description: It opens on layered notes of cherries in alcohol followed by officinal herbs, camphor and goudron.

The taste is intense, with slightly astringent tannins and a good balance between the alcoholic components and acidity.

Carro Stellato di Poggio al Vento has a frank character embellished with captivating tertiary notes. Good value for money. Among the best wineries in the Val d’Orcia.

Grapes: Sangiovese 100%

Sesterzo 2017 – Poggio Grande

Description: The olfactory picture outlines captivating notes of violet and cherry blend with hints of licorice, eucalyptus and incipient sulphurous notes. The vegetal and alcoholic nuances slightly mask the fruity floral character.

In the mouth it is warm and dry, with moderate tannins balanced by a nice acid blade. Finale of interesting persistence.

Sesterzo di Poggio Grande is a straightforward and highly drinkable wine. Fully among the best wines of the Val d’Orcia for immediacy.

Grapes: Sangiovese 100%

Orcia Rosso 2019 – Sasso di Sole

Description: It opens on tones of black cherry, raspberry and violet, flanked by spicy tones of black pepper, tamarind, bitter cocoa powder.

On the palate it is characterized by slightly rough-bitter tannins, synergistically linked to the fresh component that gives balance, harmony and enjoyment to the sip.

Orcia Rosso di Sasso di Sole is a wine with penetrating aromas, a frank and affable character and a good structure on the palate. Among the best wines of the Val d’Orcia for enhancing the extroverted and exuberant character of Sangiovese.

Grapes: Sangiovese 100%

What are the best wines of the Val d’Orcia?

What are the best wines of the Val d’Orcia? Choosing is a difficult undertaking, which however inevitably is subject to the limits of a subjective opinion, which as such, by definition, is deficient and arbitrary.

We have simply compiled a list of our favorite interpretations according to our evaluations. However, it remains essential to underline that wine is not born as a status symbol, to be exhibited or flaunted coram populo.

But to excite us and be shared in a genuine way with the people we love, binding ourselves to contingent situations and to the unrepeatable and intimate moments of our life.

Therefore, we invite you to visit wineries and get to know the producers who produce wines in their uniqueness, so that you can independently discover and choose the wine that can be counted for you among your personal favorite wines. If you have had the patience to read this far, thank you for your attention, but now is the time to fill the glasses and cut the distant hopes, and therefore:

Cheers, Salute, Santé

Jean Marco Palmieri