Lucca: Cantina Biagiotti Wine Tasting & Lunch in Monastery

4.98

(108 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

“My grandfather always said, ‘Wine is family,’” Matteo told us as he waved us into the old stone courtyard. I liked him right away—he had grape stains on his fingers and didn’t seem to mind the drizzle that morning. The place felt like it had secrets: cool air under the arches, a faint smell of musty barrels and rosemary from somewhere nearby. We were maybe ten minutes outside Lucca but it felt like another world—quiet except for birds and Matteo’s dad humming somewhere in the back.

I’d never been inside a real Tuscan winery before. The cellar was smaller than I expected, low ceilings and uneven floors that creaked when we walked (I nearly tripped—Matteo just grinned). He explained how their wines are organic, nothing rushed or fancy, just patience. There were other guests with us—a couple from Germany who kept asking about fermentation times—and somehow it all felt easy, not staged. When we tasted the red (I think it was called “Rosso di Biagiotti”?), I got this earthy taste that reminded me of autumn leaves. Maybe I imagined that part but I swear it was there.

Lunch was simple but good—bread with olive oil, cheese, something salty I couldn’t pronounce (Li laughed when I tried to say it in Italian). We sat around one big table with sunlight coming through an old window, everyone kind of quiet for a moment except for Matteo’s mom bringing out more food. She told us about the monastery’s history—apparently monks made wine here centuries ago. Sometimes you could almost feel them listening in.

I still think about that view from their little terrace—the hills rolling away, vines tangled everywhere. Not sure if it was the wine or just being there with these people who really cared about what they do. Anyway, if you’re looking for a day trip from Lucca with honest wines and actual stories behind them… this is probably it.