The Chianti zone is pleasant from April through October. Spring (April–May) brings the countryside to life after winter, with wildflowers in the vineyards and fewer crowds than summer. Summer (June–August) is busy, especially at weekends, when Florentines and tourists fill the piazza and the estate tasting rooms get booked up.
September is arguably the best month: the harvest begins, the vineyards are heavy with grapes, and the light turns golden. The Chianti Classico Festival in the second week of September fills the piazza with wine producers and is the social event of the wine year. October brings the chestnut festival at Lucolena and the antique market.
Winter is quiet and cold, with some restaurants closing; a few enotecas and the Falorni butcher stay open year-round.