Tuscany, 13 September 2016: The annual procession of the first bottles of the year's new wine from the Chianti vineyards will take on a special significance in 2016. The event, which takes place in Florence, will be held on 24 September – the very day when the Duke of Tuscany set the boundaries of this world-famous wine-making region 300 years ago.

Florentines and visitors can watch locals parade through the streets in historical costumes, accompanying the Carro Matto, a cart full of the new wines pulled by white oxen. It's a tradition that stretches back to the 14th century, when the Carro Matto would bring the wine to the city contained in the region's iconic pear-shaped bottles, the famous “fiasco”.

To Tuscany (0121 286 7782; www.to-tuscany.com), the villa-booking website, has more than 760 properties in the area, many amid Chianti's vineyards. Serious oenophiles can also consult To Tuscany's informative Travel Guide for recommendations about wine-tastings – at vineyards and even in guests' villas – as well as expert wine shoppers.

Discounts are still available at some villas and apartments close to vineyards this autumn, including:

Casa di Pesa (above right), a two-bedroom, two-bathroom stone villa with private pool near Radda. Down 20% from £1,302 to £1,041 for the weeks of 17 and 24 September, and down 20% from £1,129 to £902 for the weeks of 8, 15, 22 and 29 October.

Il Forno at Montebuoni (above left), near Lecchi, a one-bedroom apartment in this historic stone hamlet's former bakery, with access to a shared pool. Down 20% from £538 to £431 for the weeks of 17 and 24 September, and down 10% from £472 to £425 for the weeks of 1, 8, 15 and 22 October.

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

For further information, images, or to arrange press trips, please email travelnews@traveltappers.co.uk. Alternatively, contact Kate Simon on 07939 526109 and kate@traveltappers.co.uk or Simone Kane on 07811 161839 and simone@traveltappers.co.uk. Traveltappers is a trading name of Little Black Book Creative Ltd.

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 760 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.

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