Chianti is not only the land of wine but also crafts and shopping. By craftsmen centuries, artists and professionals of the ancient crafts they get from these lands the best of blown glass products, wood, travertine, clay, marble and wrought iron and there are many workshops in Tuscany and Chianti keep alive the tradition of arts and crafts.

Among the important activities include the production of terracotta with which formerly they produced the jars in which was stored the oil produced in Chianti. Also widespread processing of ceramics. with valuable experience of families of potters as the Della Robbia.

All these products and creations can be found in the many artisan shops of the Chianti, Florence and Siena. Especially in small towns are laboratories as before, tailor shops, wineries, norcinerie that still practice the dell’insaccatura crafts with spices and garlic.

Here are some ideas on typical products to find out what to see, what to buy and where to go in the most exclusive handicraft search in Chianti.

WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO BUY

• Radda and Castellina in Chianti are distinguished for working with clay, ceramics and cashmere: crafts that combine the ancient techniques of the past with modern knowledge. Near Volterra and Colle Val d’Elsa is one of alabaster production, considered the most valuable in Europe.
• Badia a Coneo, Volterra, Colle Val d’Elsa and San Gimignano are historical art of hand weaving. Beautiful tapestries to wear, capes, coats and jackets that are formed directly on the frame.
• In Greve in Chianti you can find various craft shops with typical products, wicker baskets, bowls, spoons and cutting boards of all shapes.
• In Mercatale Val di Pesa you can find fabrics from lace and kits for home or for infants.
• In Impruneta there are famous clay extracted from quarries in the area, are being implemented tiles and decorative items for the garden and home.
• In Radda in Chianti have spread the shops with handmade soaps and lotions, body creams, among the wool fabrics are being implemented shawls, scarves and blankets of pure cashmere and silk blend and linen. Some shops produce frames with the ancient technique of gilding, used in the sixteenth century by the Sienese craftsmen.
• Montepulciano and the Valdichiana area are zones of ancient crafts and production of Chianina meat, cured meat, oil and wine. Here you can do a tasting tour of local wines and delicacies, also discovering the area handicrafts and ancient ramerie, which produce copper utensils and objects.
• Florence is the reference for shopping in Tuscany: Traditional from traditional crafts to high fashion, here you are shops and luxury shops. The most famous streets of luxury shopping are Via della Vigna Nuova and Via de Tornabuoni, where there are high-end boutiques Made in Italy, ateliers and shops where to buy clothing and crafts. Via de Fossi and Via Maggio are the benchmark for luxury antiques and Old Bridge is the exclusive jewelery art area, where the shops create precious jewelry and jewelry inspired Medieval Florentine art. From Santa Maria Novella station in the direction of the streets Cathedral are dotted with modern shops and major brands. The most important market is the middle of San Lorenzo in the historical center. Here are typical products of all kinds, not just crafts, such as leather products, but also gastronomic delicacies, bread, wine and salami.
• In Siena, the main shopping streets are Via di Citta, Via Banchi di Sopra and Via Dei Montanin, rich in local crafts, clothing and typical products. They stand out in particular the manufacture of iron, copper and ceramics. In the historical center you can find shops where you create works of artistic craftsmanship that recall the colors of the districts, not only ceramics and pottery, but also clothing, leather goods and iron. Of course, there food shops where you can taste cold cuts, cheeses and traditional sweets: Ricciarelli, gingerbread and nooks accompanied by good vin santo.