To Tuscany is inviting holidaymakers to celebrate the vendemmia – or grape harvest – this autumn. From helping to pick the fruit to joining in centuries-old wine festivals, guests can enjoy an authentic experience of this important moment in Italy's calendar while staying in one of the villa-booking website's high-quality properties.

New for 2015

Among the latest places to stay in the heart of the vineyards is Casa Di Pesa, close to Radda, the capital of Gallo Nero wines. A new addition to To Tuscany's collection, this pair of recently restored one-bedroom apartments, with private pool, is available to hire as a whole – a great choice for wine-loving friends who wish to holiday together. Price £1,156 per week in September. Guests can sign up for the superb wine-tasting sessions offered at Casa Porciatti Wine Store and Wine Bar in the setting of a 14th-century vaulted cellar in nearby Radda. Here, sommelier Riccardo Porciatti leads convivial classes, drawing on a selection of more than 500 wines.

Luxurious base for festivals

At Villa Bernardi, just outside Panzano, guests will be able to taste the newly opened organic wines at the owners' vineyard, Monte Bernardi. The five-bedroom villa, sleeping 10, is a luxurious choice, with a large private pool and beautiful furnished terraces. Price £6,557 per week in September. It's also a great location for two of the region's top wine festivals – at Greve from 10-13 September and Panzano from 17-20 September.

Romantic vineyard cottage

Meanwhile, Girasole di Ama is one of the villa company's rare and highly sought-after villas for two with private Jacuzzi. Set amid the sangiovese vines of the Casanova di Ama wine estate, this recently restored one-bedroom stone cottage is a romantic choice with its outdoor Jacuzzi. It's perfectly positioned for a little graft in the fields or more leisurely pursuits such as tastings and tours at the winery. Price £600 in September.

For more ideas about local wine experiences, including tastings, tours and personal shoppers, guests can consult the free comprehensive online guide, featuring handpicked recommendations from To Tuscany's team in the region.

For more information, visit to-tuscany.com or to book call 0121 286 7782. Follow developments on Twitter @ToTuscany and facebook.com/ToTuscany.

To request images or further information, please contact Little Black Book Creative: Simone Kane on 07811 161839 and simone@lbbcreative.co.uk and Kate Simon on 07939 526109 and kate@lbbcreative.co.uk.

Notes to editors:

Prices quoted are the total cost for the apartment or villa hire for one week, not per person, and they do not include international travel. To Tuscany is an easy-to-use, online-booking site, which features more than 650 high-quality holiday properties across the price range. The site allows customers to book direct with owners yet benefit from the peace of mind of paying through a secure portal. To Tuscany was set up in 1998 by Sean Caulfield, who lives in the region, and is supported by a small team back in England, who are always ready to help with online and phone enquiries.