The new year has brought exciting news for wine lovers around the world: the Brunello di Montalcino 2021 has officially been released, and the early buzz is nothing short of thrilling. With the new vintage now hitting shelves and restaurant wine lists, there has never been a better moment to plan your trip to Montalcino and taste these wines exactly where they were born — among the rolling hills, ancient cellars, and family-run estates of one of Italy’s most iconic wine regions.
A Vintage Full of Surprises
The 2021 growing season in Montalcino was far from ordinary. After a cooler, more classically Tuscan spring and summer compared to recent warmer years, the Sangiovese grapes developed at a measured pace, resulting in wines that have impressed critics and producers alike for their balance and elegance.
Early reviews describe the 2021 Brunellos as structured yet surprisingly graceful — wines with defined tannins, bright acidity, and an aromatic complexity that recalls the great “classic” vintages of Montalcino. Many producers have noted that these are wines that can be enjoyed with pleasure right now, yet have all the backbone to age beautifully for decades in your cellar.
The Brunello Riserva 2020 has also been released alongside the new vintage, offering collectors and enthusiasts an additional reason to explore. And for those who love the approachability of younger wines, the latest Rosso di Montalcino from the 2022 and 2023 harvests are fresh, vibrant, and perfect for everyday drinking.
The World Is Paying Attention
The excitement around the 2021 vintage is already reaching across the Atlantic. The Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino has been showcasing the new releases at major tastings and masterclasses, with dozens of producers traveling directly from Montalcino to present their wines to international audiences. The interest is enormous, with events dedicated to decoding what makes this vintage so special.
But as anyone who has visited our region knows, tasting Brunello in a convention center in New York or Dallas is a very different experience from tasting it in the candlelit cellar of a family estate overlooking the Val d’Orcia. There is no substitute for standing in the vineyard where the grapes grew, breathing the same air that shaped the wine, and having the winemaker pour you a glass while telling you the story of their harvest.
Why Spring Is the Ideal Season
If you have been dreaming of a trip to Tuscany, spring 2026 offers some wonderful advantages for visiting Montalcino and its wineries:
The countryside is at its most beautiful. From late March through May, the hills around Montalcino come alive with wildflowers, fresh green vineyards, and golden light that has inspired painters and photographers for centuries. The iconic cypress-lined roads of the Val d’Orcia are never more photogenic than in spring.
The weather is ideal for touring. Spring temperatures are mild and comfortable — warm enough for long, leisurely walks through vineyards and hilltop villages, but without the intense summer heat that arrives in June and July. You can spend a full day exploring without feeling drained.
The wineries are energized and welcoming. Spring is when the new vintage is freshly released, and there is a palpable energy among the producers. They are proud of what they have created and eager to share their wines with visitors. It is a period when you are more likely to have a personal, unhurried conversation with the winemaker — something that becomes much harder during the peak summer months when the estates are overwhelmed with visitors.
Fewer crowds, better experiences. While May can get busy, April in particular is a wonderful sweet spot: the landscape is stunning, the weather is gentle, and the tourist masses have not yet arrived. As we always tell our clients, traveling just slightly outside the peak season can transform a good holiday into an unforgettable one.
What to Experience in Montalcino This Spring
A visit to Montalcino is about much more than wine, though wine is certainly the magnificent thread that ties it all together. Here are a few ideas for making the most of your spring trip:
Taste the 2021 directly at the estates. Many of our partner wineries offer guided tastings where you can compare the new 2021 Brunello with older vintages, the Riserva, and the Rosso di Montalcino — all while learning about the unique terroir and microclimate of each estate. Some producers also offer cellar tours where you can see the large oak botti where the wine ages for years before release.
Walk the vineyards. Montalcino is surrounded by beautiful hiking trails that wind through vineyards, olive groves, and ancient oak forests. A morning hike followed by a long wine-paired lunch is the Tuscan dream made real.
Explore the Val d’Orcia. The UNESCO World Heritage landscape that surrounds Montalcino includes charming villages like Pienza, San Quirico d’Orcia, and Bagno Vignoni with its thermal baths. Each one is worth a half-day visit, and all are within easy driving distance.
Pair the wine with the food. Spring in Montalcino means fresh pici pasta with wild asparagus, young pecorino cheese, local saffron, and the first extra virgin olive oil of the season. The cuisine is simple, honest, and deeply connected to the land — the perfect match for a glass of Brunello.
Let Us Help You Plan Your Perfect Visit
As locals who have lived and worked in Montalcino for years, we know that the best experiences in our region are not the ones you find on the first page of a Google search. They are the hidden cellars that only open their doors for small groups, the family-run trattoria where the owner’s grandmother still makes the pasta by hand, and the hilltop viewpoint where you can watch the sunset in complete solitude.
Whether you are a first-time visitor to Tuscany or a seasoned Brunello collector returning for the new vintage, we would love to help you design a trip that goes beyond the ordinary. From private winery tours to curated multi-day itineraries, our goal is always the same: to connect you with the authentic heart of Montalcino.
The 2021 Brunello is in the bottle. The spring sun is warming the hills. All that is missing is you.
Contact us to start planning your Montalcino wine experience, or explore our private tours and group tours for inspiration.
Have a good trip! But first… enjoy planning your holiday!
