The month of September is ideal for traveling in Tuscany: the mild temperatures and still long days of sunshine allow you to enjoy everything that the region offers, from the countryside to the cities of art.
Vacation on a Vineyard
Experience the Excitement of the Harvest First Hand
Click here to see a selection of quality vineyards with accommodations
September is traditionally the period of harvest and of making the new "novello" wine (although the period can swing from the second half of August all the way to early October, depending on the weather) and you'll find plenty of events dedicated to the harvest of grapes and to wine in these weeks across all Tuscany.
In particular, Florence and its province every September host several recurring traditional celebrations related to the grape harvest and wine production that we definitely recommend you head to, whether you are a passionate wine connoisseur or love folkloristic events or, even better, enjoy both things.
Chianti Classico EXPO in Greve in Chianti
When: September 5 to 8, 2019
The center of Greve in Chianti annually hosts the "Chianti Classico EXPO": a great opportunity for Chianti wine producers to meet wine lovers, experts, and distributors.
The stands of the best companies producing Chianti wine will be spread out in Greve's central Piazza Matteotti, and nearby streets will have pavilions for tastings.
During the four days, you will be able to taste many Chianti wines and other local products such as extra virgin olive oil, cheese, salami and prosciutto and Vin Santo (a sweet dessert wine). The event's program also includes music and dance entertainment and, on Sunday afternoon, an exhibition by the historical group of flag-wavers from Fivizzano.
You can find the full program of the EXPO on the official website: http://expochianticlassico.com/.
Vino al Vino in Panzano in Chianti
When: September 12 to 15, 2019 (3° weekend of September)
Join the winegrowers of Panzano in Chianti as they gather in the charming village square to show their wines, many of which are often pronounced as the best of the region. Take this unique opportunity in the middle of the vendemmia to meet the winemakers and taste their wines.
Sponsored by Unione Viticoltori di Panzano in Chianti and the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico, as well as the participation of Comune di Greve in Chianti. The event takes place in Piazza Bucciarelli, the suggestive main square of Panzano where you can follow a path of taste testing, music, and beauty.
Find more details about the calendar on Facebook.
Bacco Artigiano in Rufina
When: September 26 to 29, 2019 (last Saturday of September)
The town of Rufina near Florence celebrates every year the season's new wine with several days of events dedicated to wine, but also to local handicrafts with an event called "Bacco Artigiano".
The event is a celebration of wine which has been organized for hundreds of years in the Florentine countryside. The Bacco Artigiano is, in fact, connected to the "Carro Matto" celebration which takes place on the last Saturday of September (read more details below) in Florence: the Carro Matto is a wagon full of bottles of new wine exactly from Rufina.
Bacco Artigiano is a great celebration for the tiny village of Rufina with wine tastings, stands with culinary specialties, musical performances, and entertainment.
Carro Matto (Crazy Cart) in Florence
When: September 28, 2019 (every last Saturday of September)
Each year, on the last Saturday of September, Florence's downtown comes to life with one of the most typical folkloric events of autumn: the "Carro Matto" (literally, "crazy cart").
The Carro Matto is a large wooden wagon pulled by a pair of white oxen loaded with a pyramid construction of round glass bottles called "fiaschi". The construction of the pyramid itself is a master skill that has been passed down through generations.
As mentioned above, the Carro Matto comes from the town of Rufina and the event recalls an ancient tradition in which the new wine produced in the Florentine countryside was brought to Florence to be blessed and offered to the rulers of the city.
The parade of the Carro Matto starts around 3:30 pm in Piazza del Duomo. The wagon from there is pulled toward the Palagio di Parte Guelfa and then, brought back to Piazza del Duomo, where it receives a blessing from the religious leaders of the city. After the ceremony, the Carro Matto then continues its short tour onto Via Calzaiuoli and arrives in Piazza della Signoria around 5 pm. Here the Carro stops and the event ends with a performance of the historical parade of the Florentine Republic and of the flag throwers of the group of Bandierai degli Uffizi.
If you are curious, read more details about the Carro Matto in this detailed article.
Grape Festival in Impruneta
When: September 29, 2019 (the last Sunday of September)
The Grape Festival of Impruneta, a pretty village near Florence, takes place every year on the last Sunday in September in the main square of the town, Piazza Buondelmonti.
The event is very popular and much-awaited in Impruneta and surroundings: for the occasion, the four city neighborhoods challenge each other by parading their floats inspired by wine and the grape harvest and at the end of the parade a winner for the year is proclaimed.
The parade is usually accompanied by music and dancing performers and overall is a bit "chaotic", but all in good fun: you need to go and see it if you're in the area!
The Grape Festival starts around 3 pm on the last Sunday of September with the greeting of the mayor of the town of Impruneta and a musical performance. The float parade begins around 3:30 pm and lasts until approximately 7 pm with the awarding of the best float.
In case of bad weather, the Grape Festival could be postponed to the following Sunday. However, there is an active calendar of events all month long, check out the program at the official website: https://festadelluvaimpruneta.it/.
To find out what other events are scheduled in September in Florence and the province, including other wine and harvest-related ones, read this article.
