Montalcino

Map coordinates: 43.0887,11.4652

The picturesque hill town of Montalcino enjoys spectacular views over Val d’Orcia and is home to the world-famous Brunello di Montalcino wine. We take off from the grounds of the Casato Prime Donne vineyard which is Italy’s first all-woman vineyard located on the outskirts of Montalcino towards Buonconvento.

Directions from Montalcino to the Montalcino launch site

From the main roundabout in Montalcino, head towards Siena (SP14). At the next roundabout (1.8km), take the 2nd exit towards Siena & Buonconvento.
After 4.2km, turn left just after you have passed the large modern structure of Cantina di Montalcino on your right. The turning is signposted di Abbadia Ardenga & Sferracavalli & Val di Cava & Colombaio Montosoli & Casato.
Take the next right. It’s an unpaved road at a fork after about 300m and it’s signposted Pian delle Querci and Casato Prime Donne.
Follow the signs for Casato Prime Donne and after 2.6 km you will arrive at the Casato Prime Donne vineyard. Please park in the car park on your right.
You should see our balloon sign by the road but the crew might not be on site until 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting time so if you are early, don’t panic, you are probably at the correct location waiting for us to arrive.

Directions from Bounconvento to the Montalcino launch site

Just south of Bounconvento and the TP petrol station, turn right towards Grosseto & Montalcino. After 5.2km turn left towards di Abbadia Ardenga & Sferracavalli & Val di Cava & Colombaio Montosoli & Casato. If you see the large modern structure of Cantina di Montalcino on your left you have gone too far.
Take the next right. It’s an unpaved road at a fork after about 300m and it is signposted Pian delle Querci and Casato Prime Donne. Follow the signs for Casato Prime Donne and after 2.6 km you will arrive at the Casato Prime Donne vineyard. Please park in the car park on your right.
There is a closer road to the Casato Prime Donne vineyard from Buonconvento and your navigation will probably attempt to take you this way. It is possible to get to the launch site this way as well so if you feel confident making your own way, have a go. Just remember to be at the launch side at the notified meeting time.
You should see our balloon sign by the road but the crew might not be on site until 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting time so if you are early, don’t panic, you are probably at the correct location waiting for us to arrive.

Backup Locations

On rare occasions, we can’t fly from our chosen launch site for one reason or another. So, in order to be able to fly, the pilot will decide to move the flight to our nearest suitable backup site. If we have to change launch site for reasons outside of our control, we will write this very clearly on our Flight Status page that you will be checking the day before your flight to also see at what time the flight is called on in the morning. Please see our Backup Location page for more information.

Late Arrival

As with any commercial flight, if you miss your flight no refund will be due but if you think you are going to be late you can try to contact the pilot on the mobile number you will be given after you have booked your flight. There is no guarantee that you would be able to contact the pilot in the morning since the mobile phone signal might not be good at the launch site and after the balloon is inflated, about 20-30 minutes after the meeting time, it might not be possible to delay the launch. If you miss your flight we would try to fit you in to a flight one of the following mornings, subject to available spaces.