Any recommendations for visiting a winery, having lunch somewhere near Siena.

The closest I can give you, as far as an asnwer based on personal experience is probably a bit weak, compared to what some others can offer.<BR><BR>In 1998, we stayed in a villa in Ambra, about 30 miles due east of Siena, and on that road there are(were) a number of small wineries, and we stopped at one - - no lunch, and no tour of any production" or "facilities". I couldn't even tell you if they "cellared" any or not (beyond ordinary holding of inventory).<BR><BR>If you search "kilkelly", you will find this thread, which may be fairly useful to you (especially if you never get any other answers) - - <BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&tid=1288454<BR><BR>and a few others as well.<BR><BR>Alternatively, you might want to just check out the best enoteca your hotel can recommend in the area. Search "enoteca", and you can find any of several posts I have previously provided - - on whiling away an hour or two in the "right"kind of enoteca - - where you can test, buy, and eat - - and learn a lot in the process.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

We are actually staying at a winery near Siena called Casali Della Aiola. You can also tour the winery there. They have a website at www.tuscany.net/aiola

topping<BR>

contact grapeadventures.com--we used them three years ago and will do so again this fall--excellent, reliable and reasonable!

As far as I am concerned the only guide that will show you non commercial wineries that are not open to the public is Dario, wow does he have great connections. I think that his e-mail is [email protected]

The winery Montagliari near Greve has an excellent Trattoria serving hearty Tuscan food. You can also arrange a tour and they have some very nice wines you can sample and of course buy. Greve is a nice day trip from Siena, a nice drive in the wine country.