A taste of Pienza: a food and wine itinerary in the heart of the Val d’Orcia 

The journey starts from Corso Rossellino, the main street in the town, bordered by harmonious buildings commissioned by Pope Pius II in the 15th century. Here, you will notice intense aromas coming from the shops: from pecorino cheese matured in tufa pits to the younger and creamier type, as well as versions flavoured with truffle, wild scrubland herbs, pepper or wine. 

A stop at the entrance to an ancient dairy workshop, where you can participate in small guided tastings, is a must. The producers talk about the processing of sheep’s milk, the importance of the wild herbs of the Val d’Orcia and the difference between various ageing periods. The result is an explosion of flavours: fresh pecorino cheeses with their buttery notes, more intense and slightly spicy aromas in the matured versions and the fragrance of the cellar in the older cheeses.
Accompanying your tastings with local honey or fruit compote is a simple and traditional way to enrich every bite. 

Proceeding towards Piazza Pio II, the monumental heart of the town, you will find yourself in an almost theatrical setting. From here, you can easily get to the historic trattorias that offer traditional rural cuisine, made from simple ingredients and authentic flavours.

For lunch, we recommend:

• Pici all’aglione a first course that is a symbol of the area, made with homemade pasta and a delicate yet aromatic garlic-tomato sauce;
• Zuppa di pane (bread soup), a humble recipe that captures the essence of Tuscan tradition;
• Carni alla brace (barbecued meats), especially lamb or Cinta Senese pork, served with aromatic herbs picked in the surrounding fields.

Some restaurants offer tables overlooking the valley: the undulating landscape, the rows of cypress trees and the golden hues of the fields change colour according to the time of day, turning every meal into a multi-sensory experience.

After lunch, the itinerary continues, with a short walk to the most scenic areas of the village, from which you can easily get to a local wine cellar just minutes from the town centre. Although Pienza doesn’t give its name to a specific designation, it is surrounded by prestigious wine-growing areas such as Montepulciano and Montalcino. Numerous producers offer structured red wines, young reds, fragrant rosés and excellent mineral white wines.

The tastings often include:

• Rosso Toscano or Orcia DOC Wine, with a fresh, fruity flavour, ideal with semi-aged pecorino cheeses;
• Pure Sangiovese wine with hints of cherry and spices;
• In some cases, a selection of Nobile di Montepulciano or Brunello di Montalcino, perfect with matured cheeses and Tuscan cured meats.

The tastings take place in panoramic rooms or terraces overlooking the Val d’Orcia, where time seems to slow down: the wine tells its story through the colours of the sunset caressing the hills.

Those who wish to end their tour with one last stop can go back to the town centre for an afternoon snack. Local pork butcher’s shops offer platters of finocchiona salami, Tuscan salami, artisanal prosciutto and crostini (toasted bread) with chicken liver pâté. Don’t miss the cantucci biscuits, often accompanied by a glass of Vin Santo dessert wine, or the fresh ricotta cheese served with chestnut honey.

It’s the perfect opportunity to buy products to take home or enjoy a last glimpse at the view that opens up between Via del Casello and Via dell’Amore, two of the village’s most romantic streets.