Panzano in Chianti A Hilltown In Tuscany

A quaint hill town in Tuscany, Panzano in Chianti is ideally located to experience one of Italy’s most famous wine regions. Midway between Florence and Siena, there are many small towns and villages to explore within a short distance of Panzano, such as Greve in Chianti, Lamole Radda, and Castellina.  Picturesque olive orchards, and vineyards, blanket the hillsides, and in the spring, wildflowers.

 Panzano is a quiet village, with not a lot to do but that’s part of its charm. Most people go there to eat at Dario Cecchini’s restaurant referred to locally as Mac Darios and drink Chianti Classico.

I spent six days in Panzano and during that time I ate at all the restaurants,  took the bus to Lucca for a day, visited Greve in Chianti and Lamole, and spent a lot of time walking around the countryside taking photographs. Since I was there over a weekend I was able to enjoy the market. 

How To Get To Panzano

 You can take the bus from Panzano to Florence. Be sure to check the schedules carefully as they change, depending on the season. You can also drive and you will need a car if you want to get out in the countryside.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Panzano?

Italy is wonderful any time of year but Panzano would be best spring through fall. Tuscany can get very cold in the winter. If you want to rent a car and drive you better know how to navigate snowy conditions. 

Festivals

Panzano is also known for two important festivals each year. April 25 is Festa della Stagion Buona, Italy’s national holiday and the beginning of “the good season.”

The other is Vino al Vino, a wine festival held the third weekend in September. The festival is held in Piazza Bucciarelli and includes live jazz music and tastings of the local wines.

The Duomo

Every Italian city has an important church or duomo. Since Panzano is a hill town there’s a castle next to the main church Santa Maria Assunta built in the 14th century. It’s the oldest part of the city and the highest. at the highest point iAfter all, what’s a castle if you can’t see who’s coming to visit long before they can see you?

The Famous Restaurant

Mac Darios is a happening spot in Panzano, especially on the weekends. People come from all over Italy, indeed all over the world, to eat, drink, talk, and just enjoy the scene at L’ Antica Macelleria Cecchini There’s always an antipasti spread with wine served from straw-wrapped bottles.

I had to pass Dario’s every day as I walked towards Piazza Bucciarelli. One day I heard Slave To Love, by Bryan Ferry blasting from inside.  That stopped me in my tracks. I went inside, poured myself a glass of wine, and indulged in some long-forgotten memories associated with that song. It wasn’t the first time Bryan Ferry influenced my actions.—I just didn’t expect it to happen while passing by the butcher’s shop!

I don’t consider myself a meat eater, but I do love a good salumi! If you are a carnivore or just enjoy a good party, this is the place for you. The restaurant is across the street. It’s only open for one sitting at lunch and dinner. Needless to say, it’s all about the meat although there is a vegetarian menu. You will need to make a reservation. 

The Panzano Market

On the first Sunday of each month, Panzano hosts an outdoor market with produce, cheeses, antiques, hand-made soaps, olive oil, honey, fresh produce, and almost anything else you can think of. All of the cheese, olive oil, and honey vendors offer tastings. The market begins in Piazza Bucciarelli and continues up the hill towards the church. I coveted a globe from the 1970’s with colorful, graphic, constellations. There was also a nice selection of vintage jewelry.

A vineyard in Tuscany

A trip to Tuscany would not be complete without a stop at a vineyard. This lovely vista was a five-minute walk from my friend’s house in Panzano.  Everywhere I turned there were great views— just point-and-shoot.

Accademia del Buon Gusto

One of the most interesting place in Panzano (in my opinion), is Accademia del Buon Gusto. The owner, Stefano Salvatori has created this unique and eclectic space where you can not only taste the local wines, you can also sample olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and local honey. The only problem is you will want to take it all home with you. That’s what shipping is for. Update: Accademia del Buon Gusto is closed. 

Sadly, Stefano is no longer with us.  His love of life emanated from his sparkling blue eyes .He was the kind of person who never meets a stranger and was happy to share wine and philosophy as long as you cared to stay.I hope someone who loves wine and people as much as he did opens a wine shop in Panzano. He is so much a part of my memories of Panzano, that I don’t want to delete him.

Panzano may be small, but I returned home with an abundance of memories in my carry-on.  leave a comment and let me know me know if you’ve ever been to Panzano. 

Finally, I have to thank my friend David for extending the invitation to visit, providing me with an opportunity to see another side of Italy. Some of the most interesting people in the world either live in Panzano or travel there regularly.