Review: Tenuta Mareli Wine Tasting Near Lucca (2025)

Finding a genuine spot for a wine experience near Lucca can, you know, feel a bit overwhelming with so many choices. You sort of want something that feels real, not just a tourist stop. We were actually looking for a place with a bit of heart, where the wine felt like part of a family story. That is that we found Tenuta Mareli, a winery that’s been on our list for what seems like a very long time. It’s pretty much tucked away in the hills, so it feels like a genuine discovery. This review, as a matter of fact, is all about our full day spent there, giving you a real sense of what to expect for your own trip in 2025. Honestly, we just want to share what made it a pretty standout day for us.

The First Impression: Arriving at the Estate

The drive to Tenuta Mareli is, in a way, part of the entire adventure. You actually leave the familiar roads of Lucca behind you and start climbing. The road gets a little narrower, winding through olive groves and, of course, past tall cypress trees that look like they’ve been there forever. At the end of the day, you know you’re getting close when the sign, a simple, hand-painted piece of wood, points you up a gravel path. The sound of the tires on the stones is, like, the first signal you’ve arrived somewhere special. It’s almost a world away from the town below, which is just what we were hoping for.

Stepping out of the car, the air just feels different up there, sort of scented with rosemary and earth. The estate itself is, frankly, stunning in its own unpretentious fashion. A pretty old farmhouse, built from that warm, honey-colored stone, stands as the centerpiece. It’s obviously well-cared-for, with terracotta pots overflowing with red geraniums. We were, you know, greeted almost immediately not by a formal host, but by a smiling woman who introduced herself as Elena, one of the daughters. This, to be honest, set the mood for the entire visit; it felt personal from the very first minute. She just welcomed us as if we were friends coming over for a visit, which was a very nice touch.

A Walk Through the Vines and Cellars

Elena, as a matter of fact, suggested we begin with a walk through the vineyards that surround the house. It’s really the best way to understand the wine, starting right where the grapes grow. She explained, for instance, how the morning sun hits one slope and the afternoon light warms another, which obviously affects the Sangiovese grapes differently than the Vermentino. It’s not a boring lecture; she just tells stories about her grandfather planting these same vines. You can, like, literally see the passion she has for this land and the work involved. Honestly, you get a much deeper appreciation for what goes into each bottle when you’re standing right there. We were, pretty much, encouraged to touch the leaves and examine the young grape clusters.

After the walk, we headed down into the cantina, or the cellar, which is basically located under the main house. The air, of course, instantly becomes cool and damp, with that deep, sweet smell of aging wine and old wood. The cellar is, in some respects, a mix of old and new. On one side, you have these massive, old Slovenian oak barrels that Elena said her family has used for generations. On the other, there are some smaller, newer French oak barriques for their more modern blends. She let us, you know, run our hands over the wood and explained how each type gives a different character to the wine. It’s a bit like seeing a living history of winemaking right in front of you. At the end of the day, it’s these details that make the whole thing so engaging.

Frankly, standing in the cellar, you really get a sense of the family’s history. It’s not just a factory; it’s almost like a sacred space where generations have perfected their craft. You kind of feel the weight of that tradition.

The Main Event: Tasting the Wines

Finally, we were led to a long wooden table on a shaded terrace with a really incredible view over the valley. This is, you know, where the tasting happens. It was all very relaxed. They set out four glasses for each of us, along with water and a basket of bread. The tasting started with their 2025 Vermentino, a really crisp and refreshing white wine. Elena suggested we just notice the smells first, like green apple and a hint of something citrusy. It was, sort of, perfect for a warm afternoon, incredibly clean and easy to enjoy. There was no pressure to use fancy words; we just talked about what we tasted.

Next, we moved onto the reds, which are basically the heart of their production. The first was their 2023 Chianti Colline Lucchesi, a wine that is more or less a pure expression of the Sangiovese grape. It had that classic cherry flavor, with just a little bit of earthiness. Elena explained that this is, you know, the kind of wine her family drinks every day with their meals. After that, we tried the 2022 ‘Il Coraggioso’, which is apparently their ‘Super Tuscan’ blend of Sangiovese and a little Merlot. This one was a bit bigger, with richer flavors of dark fruit and a hint of spice from the French oak. It’s definitely a wine you could sit with for a while. Honestly, each wine told a different story about the land and the choices the winemaker made that year.

Food Pairings and Tuscan Hospitality

The wine was absolutely the star, but the food they served alongside it was, to be honest, a huge part of the experience. It wasn’t just a few crackers. Instead, Elena brought out a large wooden board piled high with local specialties. There was, for example, a creamy pecorino cheese from a shepherd down the road, and a harder, aged cheese that was incredibly sharp and salty. The platter also had paper-thin slices of prosciutto and finocchiona, which is a salami made with fennel seeds. Basically, everything on the board had a story and a connection to the area.

As a matter of fact, the best part was their own olive oil. They just brought out a small bowl of the deep green oil, and we drizzled it on simple, crusty Tuscan bread. The flavor was, you know, so fresh and peppery; it’s completely different from what you buy in a store. This generosity is really at the heart of the experience. They aren’t just selling you wine; they are, in a way, sharing their entire pantry and culture with you. At the end of the day, that hospitality is what you remember most. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Tenuta Mareli Bookings).

What Sets Tenuta Mareli Apart

So, what really makes this place different from other wineries you could visit? At the end of the day, it’s the personal touch. You are literally being welcomed into a family’s home and workspace. It’s not a slick, corporate tour; it’s a conversation. Elena’s father, the winemaker, even came out to say hello and answer a few of our more technical questions with a big, warm smile. You just get the feeling that they are genuinely happy to have you there and to share their world with you for a few hours. This is, you know, something you can’t really manufacture.

The whole experience feels really authentic and unhurried. You never feel like you’re being rushed to make room for the next group. They honestly seem to enjoy the process as much as their guests do. The quality of both the wine and the food is, frankly, top-notch, showing a deep respect for local tradition. It is pretty much a perfect example of what a Tuscan wine tasting should feel like. Read our full review: Lucca wine tasting Tenuta Mareli 2025 Full Review and Details].

So, here are a few takeaways from the day:

• A Truly Personal Experience: You actually meet the family behind the wine, which is a pretty special thing.

• High-Quality Products: Both the wines and the local food pairings are, honestly, outstanding.

• Educational and Relaxed: You learn a lot without it ever feeling like a formal lesson, which is just right.

• The Setting is Stunning: The location in the hills above Lucca provides, you know, an incredible backdrop for the tasting.

• Booking Ahead is Smart: Since it’s a small, family-run operation, it is definitely a good idea to reserve your spot.