We are driving from Florence to Sam Gimigmano and would like to know suggestions about which towns or wineries to stop in in Chianti, given that I leave Florence at around 10:30 and want to be in San G by 5 or 6. I am thinking I want to take SS222. Thanks!

Jason

Jason
You're on the right track. SS222 will take you through the heart of Chianti and you can then take SS429 out of Castellina towards Poggibonsi and on to San Gimignano. Be aware that SS429 is a very scenic and windy road, paved and good, but it will take longer than you think and then you will face a serious navigation challenge through Poggibonsi to SG--but you'll get there.
As for towns and wineries--it really depends on your interests. There is not much to Strada which you will pass through, but Greve is charming in the bottom of a valley with a distinctive town center and a fantastic wine tasting facility and museum--Le Cantine. Over 150 wines from local and not so local but all italian wineries--great opportunity to sample in an easy atmosphere. Nearby is the very small village of Montefioralle--charming and worth a sidetrip. Also Castello Verrazano does tours and tastings but you have to budget your time. You will also pass through Panzano which is worth a quick look around. Castellina is delightful with lots of boutique like shops, tasting rooms and a real tourist delight with a pedestrian only center. You won't have time for much else.
Don't be afraid to get into SG late-its better then without the swarms of tourists and the shops are generally open until 7:30 or 8 and will reopen the next day at 10.
Have fun--Paul

I haven't done this drive, but I have this information:

For the Chianti region, there's a great, detailed map available free on the web.
www.monterinaldi.it/ Click on "The Map of Chianti Classico area", fill in your name & address on the next screen, and you'll get a map in the mail in a few weeks. It's 1:80,000 in scale,
so it's quite detailed. As a bonus, it shows exactly where all of the Chianti wine estates are located.

The following is adapted from a magazine article:

Highway S222 links Florence and Siena and is known as Via Chiantigiana. In Florence see the 6-hundred-year-old Palazzo Antinori, headquarters of the wine dynasty. The Cantinetta Antinori serves Tuscan fare and wines.

Out of Florence, travel south on S222 and you’ll see the beautiful Tuscan landscape of olive trees, vines, and cypress trees. You will come to Castello Vicchiomaggio, which produces Chianti Classico wines and some proprietary reds. The cellars date to the 9th century.

Many of the wineries are in the hills just off the Via Chiantigiana. Nearby is Castello di Gabbiano, erected in the 12th century and still producing fine Chianti Classicos.

Near Greve, Villa Zano produces Chianti Aziano and is one of several estates owned by
Ruffino.

Isole e Olena is a large property to the west of the highway, and is an 18th century estate next to a 14th century village.

Back on the S222 you’ll come to Fontodi in a valley south of the village of Panzano. It has a proprietary Super Tuscan called Flaccianello della Pieve, pure Sangiovese grapes.
Farther south is the charming village of Fonterutoli, whose chief business is wine-making. Castello di Fonterutoli is a favorite winery.

Upon entering Siena, visit the Enoteca Italica Permanente, housed in a former fortress.

www.kilkelly.com information on Tuscan vineyards
www.discoveritalia.it Click the English version, then town or area and you will see a link to wineries, including times they are open

a few wineries:
http://directory.google.com/Top/Recr...Italy/Tuscany/

Wow...amazing tips...thanks both of you!

ttt... thanks Jason for asking the right question! I'll be taking this route in October (stayin in Panzano), but I didn't know the right question to ask.

Elaine, I did request that map, but I haven't spent much time with it yet. Just decided we will be staying at Fagiolari on Friday and now it is time to get down to the specifics of how we will spend our four days.

Jason - when are you going? Oct 21-25 for us.

we are leaving on September 7 and we will be in Chianti on the 15th

bummer! they temporarily suspended production of the map. would anyone have one I could borrow? I will take good care of it and return it when I get back in late May.

The most detailed maps for this route are, needless to say, available in printed format only - they're described here: http://www.greve-in-chianti.com/book...-italy-eng.htm . There's a very broad scale map of the Chianti Classico wine zone with the S 222 running through it here: http://www.chianticlassico.net/ - it has some clickable towns on it. I find the most informative printed map to be a German one but all the place names etc are in Italian: Toscana/Tuscany Map for your leisure time published by Allianz. It comes with a booklet describing (also in English) 40 or so very diverse sites of interest along your entire route. ISBN 3-8297-1777-6.

elaine: Your map is not available at present. The website indicates:

"Il Consorzio del Chianti Classico ha sospeso la stampa delle cartine stradali fino alla fine del 2005. Per tale motivo, non siamo in grado di inviare le cartine omaggio fino alla ripresa della produzione."

I.E. printing of the road-map has been suspended "until the end of 2005" and no maps will be sent until publication recommences.