Wine Tasting with a Sommelier in Florence
Whether you're a total beginner or a fully-fledged wine snob - this experience has something for you. Choose the wine region you would like to focus on - Tuscany? Piedmont? Sicily? You'll taste the cult classics of Italian wine and discover some lesser known grapes. You'll have the choice to sample prized wines from various regions of Italy to discover their qualities according to the soil and area. You'll learn tips on everything from tasting notes, to Italian wine culture and how to select the best wine. Held in the late afternoon and early evening this is the perfect sequel to our Morning Food Tour experience.
Discover Florence’s Most Refined Wine Tasting
Step into a welcoming enoteca with river views and let our professional sommelier guide you through Italy’s most beguiling bottles. From iconic appellations to boutique discoveries, this curated tasting distills the essence of Italian wine into one relaxed, late-afternoon experience in the heart of Florence.
Why This Sommelier Experience Stands Apart
This isn’t a generic flight at a crowded bar. It’s a private, conversation-led tasting designed around you. Whether you’re new to wine or already collecting Brunello, your sommelier tailors the selection to your interests: unlocking aromas, explaining labels, and sharing practical tips you’ll actually use when you order in Italy.
What You’ll Taste: Your Choice of Italy’s Great Regions
Select a single region- Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto, Alto Adige, Sicily- or compare across Italy. Discover why soil and altitude shape Sangiovese in Chianti Classico, how Nebbiolo expresses itself from Barbaresco to Barolo, or what makes volcanic whites from Etna so mineral and bright. Expect a premium, varied lineup paired with a classic Florentine antipasto.
Stories in the Glass: Culture, Terroir & Italian Wine Traditions
Beyond tasting notes, you’ll learn Italy’s wine culture: DOCG vs DOC, reading vintages, and pairing confidently with Tuscan cuisine. Hear how monks, merchants, and Medici trade routes helped make Florence a wine capital, and how today’s producers balance innovation with centuries-old methods.
Quick Overview of our Sommelier Experience
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Private sommelier-led tasting in central Florence with river views
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Focus on one Italian region (or compare) with premium selections
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Learn practical skills: tasting, reading labels, pairing, buying & shipping
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Classic Florentine antipasto included; dinner reservations available on request
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Ideal pre-dinner timing (typically 6:00 pm)
Perfect For Curious Palates & Celebrations
Couples seeking a romantic pre-dinner ritual, families with adult children discovering Italy, solo travelers wanting a sophisticated yet friendly introduction, and friends toasting a birthday or reunion. We also arrange bespoke tastings for corporate incentives, client entertainment, and small team offsites- elegant, interactive, and easily tailored to brand preferences.
ArtViva’s Insider Touch for Wine Lovers
For over 25 years, ArtViva has opened doors across Italy. Our sommelier partners are trusted professionals with deep regional knowledge and relationships with esteemed wineries and niche producers. Want to continue the journey? We can plan a private Chianti or Brunello day trip, organize shipping, or curate a cellar selection to enjoy back home.
Practicalities & How It Works
Your tasting is hosted at an excellent riverfront enoteca in the historic center, typically beginning at 6:00 pm- the perfect segue from sightseeing to dinner. After booking, we’ll confirm the exact location and personalize your regional focus. You’ll enjoy multiple wines, expert guidance, and an antipasto board. If you’d like to stay on for dinner with Arno views, just let us know in advance and we’ll arrange it.
Reserve Your Seat at the Tasting Table
Florence at dusk, superb wines, and a sommelier at your side: this experience books quickly. Secure your preferred date now, and let us craft a tasting that’s distinctly yours.
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A tailored, sommelier-led journey through Italy’s top regions
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Premium wines poured with insider commentary, minus the jargon
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Classic Florentine antipasto to enhance each glass
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Practical skills you’ll use at restaurants and wine shops across Italy
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Elegant riverfront setting at the golden hour
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Easy add-on dinner reservation with Ponte Vecchio views
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Option to buy and ship favorite bottles home
Wine has flowed through Florence’s story since Roman times, but it was the Middle Ages that cemented the city’s vinous identity. Merchant guilds regulated quality and trade, while monasteries cataloged vineyards that later became the backbone of Chianti. By the Renaissance, the Medici cultivated vineyards and celebrated wine at court, reinforcing Florence as a crossroads for taste. Today, a new generation of winemakers blends tradition- hand harvesting, large neutral casks- with thoughtful innovation, from amphora aging to organic practices. Your sommelier will connect these threads, so every glass tells a Florentine tale.
This is a 1 hour experience.
Do you offer non-alcoholic options?
We can provide artisanal alternatives on request so non-drinkers can enjoy the experience alongside the group.
Is Wine Tasting with a Sommelier in Florence suitable for beginners?
Absolutely. This experience is designed for all levels: our sommelier meets you where you are and builds your confidence sip by sip.
Can I choose the region during this tour?
Yes. You can focus on Tuscany, Piedmont, Sicily, Veneto, Alto Adige, or compare regions. Tell us your preferences when booking and we’ll tailor the lineup.
How long does the Wine Tasting with a Sommelier in Florence last?
Plan for a relaxed pre-dinner session beginning around 6:00 pm. Exact duration depends on the number of wines selected and your pace.
Is food included in this tour?
A classic Florentine antipasto is included to complement the wines. If you’d like to stay for dinner, we’re happy to reserve a table at the same venue.
Can I purchase and ship wines after the tasting?
Yes. The enoteca carries a wide selection and can assist with shipping to many destinations- your sommelier will advise on smart buys.
Is the wine tasting private?
Yes, this is a privately hosted tasting. For larger parties or corporate groups, we can arrange a private room and customized themes.
