The entire town of POPPI literally opens its doors - better yet its cellar - wine cellars - to the public.  Not only is this a great opportunity to taste various types of wines, but also a wonderful opportunity to get a glimpse of a medieval town from the inside out. 

Many hidden treasures, nooks and crannies and surprises are hidden under the construction which meets the eye from street level.  Enter in cantinas, gardens and hidden backyards all with the excellent excuse of looking for your next glass of wine.

Every year on August for a whole weekend (3 days) starting around 5:30 pm, you can purchase your glass and pouch to carry your glass in - as well as tasting tickets. Then the adventure begins, you stroll the main street and head into the open doorways to secret passage ways that take you under the buildings - many of which have their origins around the late 1300's. 

Each doorway takes you to a vineyard or consortium (an association or partnership of different wine producers) on display - and an opportunity to use one of your tickets to taste their wares. Poppi has organized parking and buses that will pick you up from Ponte a Poppi (1 km) and take you to town. The organized tastings will walk you through cheeses, wines and salami, giving you pointers on what you should be looking for and how to combine it with different wines.

There is also an organized dinner in the square - light fare at a good price, just enough to fill you up after all that wine!!! You just need to go and buy the dishes you prefer, they make you a tray and you go and seat in the large tables with friends and all guests.

Usually, opening each evening there is a historic parade or a traditional  show like in the Middle Ages, with folk singers or jugglers. After that starts a guided tasting to which you must register and buy your tickets. The wine cellars are opened for everybody to enter and taste the products of local farmers and wineries. Around midnight the party ends up. There are many wineries from different parts of Tuscany who come to present their wines, like Nobile di Montepulciano or Chianti Classico, but specially you will be able to taste the local wines from Arezzo and Casentino.