Golf & Wine: Chianti, Tuscany’s iconic wine and 4 golf courses to discover

Born in the heart of Tuscany, between Florence and Siena, Chianti is made primarily from Sangiovese, the region’s iconic grape variety. It can be complemented by other local varieties, such as Canaiolo and Colorino, as well as certain authorised international grape varieties.

With its ruby-red colour, evolving towards garnet hues with age, Chianti charms with its freshness and balance. On the nose, it often reveals notes of cherry, red berries, violet and spices. With age come more complex aromas of leather, forest floor and tobacco. On the palate, its freshness and tannins make it a particularly enjoyable wine to pair with food.

Finally, it is impossible to talk about Chianti without thinking of the landscapes where it was born: rolling hills, rows of vines, slender cypress trees and stone villages make up these quintessentially Tuscan panoramas. Within this region, Chianti Classico holds a special place. Produced in the historic area between Florence and Siena, it is recognisable in particular by its Black Rooster emblem (Gallo Nero). Its Riserva and Gran Selezione wines, aged for longer, offer greater depth and complexity.

After a wine tasting at one of the many wineries in the region, it is hard to resist the temptation to continue the experience on Tuscany’s fairways. Several Golfy Network courses offer the perfect opportunity to discover this region from a different perspective.

Near Prato and just northwest of Florence, the Pavoniere Golf & Country Club, designed by Arnold Palmer, is renowned for its excellent course maintenance and elegant layout. Set within a former agricultural estate, it combines water features, centuries-old trees and challenging greens, while remaining easily accessible from the main wine villages of Chianti.
Just 5 kilometres from the golf course, the Hotel Villa S. Michele offers spacious, comfortable rooms equipped with all modern amenities, in an intimate and authentic atmosphere.

Just past Florence, around fifteen kilometres to the south, the Ugolino Golf Club, founded in 1934, is one of Italy’s most iconic golf courses. Nestled in the heart of the Chianti hills, it follows the natural contours of the landscape, with fairways lined with cypress trees, olive groves and vineyards. Its timeless charm and remarkable integration into the surrounding scenery make it a must-visit for any golfer travelling through Tuscany.

Enjoy elegant touches and carefully considered amenities at the Radisson Blu Hotel, offering spacious rooms and a unique location in Florence.

Continuing south towards the Sienese countryside, the Royal Golf La Bagnaia offers a spectacular 18-hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Its wide fairways, water hazards and open views over the Tuscan hills provide a golfing experience that is both challenging and wonderfully different. Close to the Chianti vineyards, it is an excellent base for a getaway combining golf and wine discoveries.
Around twenty kilometres away, La Villa Ermellina Siena, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, is an elegant property set within a vast 40,000 m² park, with a pathway winding through roses and lavender.

Further west, as you head towards the Tuscan coast, the Riva Toscana Golf Resort offers a modern course in a more Mediterranean setting, surrounded by pine forests and maquis, just a short distance from the sea. Its location makes it easy to combine a few days of golf with a discovery of Tuscany’s great wines, from Chianti to the renowned estates of Bolgheri.
On site, the hotel and a traditional guest house welcome you with 38 brand-new, comfortable rooms overlooking either the sea or the golf course.

Exceptional wineries and outstanding golf courses: let yourself be captivated by Tuscany, discover the beauty of its landscapes, the richness of its cuisine and the pleasure of golf.