Golfing Through Wine Country: How to Swing & Sip in Tuscany and Veneto
Some golf trips are all about the game. Others become something more. In regions like Tuscany and Veneto, golf blends effortlessly with culture, food, and of course, wine.
We have spent a long time building trips through these areas because they offer something unique. You can finish a round in the morning and find yourself tasting wine at a family-owned estate in the afternoon. This kind of travel feels unhurried and deeply rewarding.
If you are curious about how golf and wine come together in Italy, here is what we recommend.
Why These Two Regions Work So Well
In Tuscany, you find cypress-lined roads, soft hills, medieval towns, and vines that stretch across every horizon. The wine is world famous, but what makes it special is how local it feels. You do not need to go far to find a vineyard. Often, the vineyard comes to you.
Veneto, farther north, has a different kind of beauty. Here, the wine zones climb gentle hills and open into wide plains. You get everything from sparkling Prosecco to deep reds from the Valpolicella region. The food changes too. Lighter fare, fresh herbs, and mountain cheeses often show up next to the wine.
Both regions offer golf courses that are integrated into these landscapes, not separate from them.
Courses That Let You Play Then Taste
In Tuscany, Royal Golf La Bagnaia is a standout. You play through rolling farmland, olive groves, and stretches of wild countryside. The greens feel open and peaceful. After your round, you can head to a winery near Siena or take part in a local tasting dinner with regional wines like Brunello or Chianti Classico.
In Veneto, we often use Golf Club Verona, a course set just outside one of Italy’s best-known wine cities. The setting is rural, the layout welcoming, and the wine regions nearby are easy to reach. You can explore Amarone cellars, visit a Soave vineyard, or enjoy a slow lunch with a glass of Valpolicella on the side.
We also use Arzaga Golf Resort in northern Italy, which is technically in Lombardy but borders the Veneto wine area. It offers two courses, designed by Palmer and Player, and makes a great base for exploring Lake Garda wines or even reaching into Franciacorta for a sparkling finish.
How to Plan Golf and Wine in the Same Trip
We often suggest alternating the focus of each day. Play one day in the morning and follow it with a vineyard visit in the afternoon. Then the next day could be a lighter round or a rest day focused entirely on wine and local culture. This way the schedule stays balanced and relaxed.
Tasting sessions are usually best after lunch or in the late afternoon, when wineries open for walk-ins or pre-booked tours. Many of our guests enjoy taking a slow drive through wine country after golf, stopping along the way to try olive oils, fresh bread, or local cheeses.
What We Take Care Of So You Can Just Enjoy It
When golf and wine are part of the same journey, timing matters. So does local knowledge. That is why we take care of all the logistics behind the scenes, including:
Scheduling tee times that leave room for a relaxed vineyard visit
Booking wine tastings that pair well with the regions you are playing in
Organising private drivers or transfers so no one has to watch the clock
Coordinating lunches and cellar visits with trusted local producers
Balancing play days with rest days so the trip flows naturally
You do not need to map routes, call vineyards, or manage timing. We handle the details so your experience stays focused on enjoying each round and every glass.
We can also adjust the pace of your trip depending on your preferences. Some guests like to play daily and sip casually. Others prefer one or two long golf days and more time exploring food and wine. Either way, we design the itinerary around what feels best to you.
If you would like us to suggest a few wine-focused stops to pair with the courses you are most excited about, we would be happy to talk through the options.
