We are going in June 2007 spending 4 days in Tuscany. Do I really need a guide to see Tuscany and do the wine tasting?
What places are good for wine tasting?

At Montalcino there's a tasting room in the fortress. Also various wineries in the region welcome visitors for tasting -- though sometimes a reservation is necessary. Possibilities are Castello Banfi and Poggio Antico. Both these wineries have restaurants also.

We just got a map, did a search on the internet for wineries with tours and then investigated the area on the internet and in guide books. If we missed "must sees" we didn't know it, but we "discovered" some unplanned for villages and vistas that delighted us. And had a lovely afternoon at Fattoria dei Barbi (near Montalcino)guided solely by our own internet inquiries. Could a guide have made it better? Possibly! Did we have a better time than anticipated? Absolutely!

Definetly do not need a guide, unless you are looking for a designated driver or want someone to give you local color as you drive from place to place. There is a wealth of information out there including this forum, web sites, guidebooks, books in general on Tuscany & wine.

You can taste at the vineyards, at Enoteca (wine bar/store) tasting rooms , etc. Some vineyards ask/require reservations, others do not. You'll find that info out in the previously described information methods.

I would suggest a mix of visting vineyards and Enoteca. The vineyards in Tuscany are some of the prettiest in the world. It's also interesting to meet & talk with the vineyard owners or staff. At a Enoteca you'll be exposed to much more wine in a short time and most staff at the Enoteca are knowledgable.

The Fortezza in Montalcino as mentioned, very good Enoteca, staff is excellent. Montalcino has several Enoteca due to the excellent wine, Brunello.

Another very good Enoteca is in Greve on the main road that runs through Chianti. The Cantinetta Di Greve, nearly 100 bottles of Tuscan wines could be sampled there in a relaxed setting.

Most of the towns will have at least one Enoteca, the larger towns will have much more such as Florence & Siena.

In the countryside you'll be surrounded by vineyards. The will be many reasons to visit different vineyards. Some for the quality of the wines. Others for the beauty of the vineyard, or the vineyard has a restaurant or some other feature, some are historical not just for wine but other historical or artistic feature.

As you gather info just ask for further detail here.

Hi la,

If your interest is in tasting wines rather than seeing how they are made, I suggest visiting enotecas in various towns.

You get a wide variety in a short time.

Answers are going to be more worthwhile for you if you tell us where in Tuscany you will be. You definitely do not need a guide. Will you have a car?
I visited the Avignonsei winery last year, near Montepulciano, and recommend it if you will be in the southern part of Tuscany.

www.avignonesi.it/visit.htm

sorry..Avignonesi, after Avignon.

Fattoria dei Barbi, which is a large farm south of Montalcino, is one of the few wineries that encourage drop ins for a free wine tasting and tour. Very nice plce.