Discover The Vernaccia Di San Gimignano Wine Experience

The Vernaccia is one of the oldest indigenous vine varieties in Italy and also refers to a wine area that is intrinsically tied to the history of San Gimignano. Brought to the area from Liguria in the 1200s by Vieri de' Bardi and with exact origins unknown, it was an incredibly famous and popular wine in the Middle Ages but, so tied to the fate of the city as it was, it declined in prestige and importance as the city itself became less important. That is, however, until the second half of the 20th century when it was rediscovered by local winemakers who breathed new life into the wine and got it to DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) status in 1966. In fact, it was the first Italian wine ever to get this label and then went on to obtain the DOCG quality assurance in 1993.

Today, Vernaccia vineyards cover over 768 hectares, which are tended by 177 winemakers, producing around 4 million litres (or approximately 5 million bottles) of wine per annum. The Strada del Vino Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a non-profit association that was founded in 1999 in order to promote the local wine-producing area and are also in charge of managing the Wine Museum in Villa della Rocca and it is precisely this museum that makes a vacation rental in San Gimignano such an excellent holiday destination in Tuscany for wine-lovers. For the most perfect setting to sip, savour and learn, this pretty city is hard to beat and the museum means you have wonderful resources right at your fingertips.

The Vernaccia Wine Museum, also known as the Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Experience, is located in La Rocca, a 14th century fortress in town, and is a place to get up close and personal with the wines of the area using the most technological and best multimedia means to immerse visitors in the process of making great wine. On the ground floor, you can head to the tasting bar to try many different labels of Vernaccia of San Gimignano DOCG and Vernaccia of San Gimignano DOCG wines, as well as some other varieties from the surrounding area, guided by expert sommeliers. There are also touch screens which offer a portal into endless information about the production of the wines, a list of estates producing Vernaccia di San Gimignano, their wines, how to find them and contact them, as well as information on typical products of the territory such as the city's famous saffron, extra virgin olive oil, prosciutto, and fennel salami.

Then, on the first floor there is an immersive and emotional multi-media exhibition that takes you through thematically-arranged rooms that tackle the history of Vernaccia, the area, the agriculture, the wine-making process and more through images, sounds, videos, holograms, and more. The whole experience makes sure that visitors understand how rooted in local culture and history this wine is and makes you appreciate the whole process and it more thoroughly than you might have otherwise.

If you're interested in really savouring and learning about Tuscan wines while you vacation in Tuscany, there could be no better attraction to carve out some time for during the course of your trip to San Gimignano than this unique and very special museum. Any wine-lovers or enthusiasts from complete novices to well-educated experts are sure to enjoy themselves and should take note as it really is a must-see! If nothing else, it is well worth dropping by to grab a glass of wine and sit out on the terrace, which takes in an amazing sweeping view over the city and surrounding countryside.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Experience
Via della Rocca, 1 -53037
San Gimignano
+ 39 0577 941267
larocca@vernaccia.it


Opening Hours:

Open everyday from 11.30am to 7.30pm