Panzano sits on a ridge above a natural amphitheatre of vineyards that the locals call the Conca d'Oro, the golden shell, and the name is not an exaggeration. The terraces face south and catch the sun from morning to evening, and the wine grown on them is among the most respected in Chianti. The village itself is small, with a single main street, a ruined castle, a church and a handful of shops, but it has the confident air of a place that knows its worth. The views from the edge of the village across the valley are some of the best in Tuscany.
Panzano is also famous for meat. It is home to a butcher who became a celebrity, known for reciting passages from Dante to his customers while he cuts, and for turning the shop into a kind of theatre, with long tables, wine and platters of cured and cooked meat. Whatever you think of the performance, the quality is high, and Tuscan beef is a serious business. If you arrive at the right time, you can eat very well in the village, and there are other restaurants and wine bars serving local dishes.
The riding here is a delight. The Chiantigiana runs along the ridge, with long, easy bends and views on both sides, and the side roads that drop into the valleys are narrow and quiet. Some of them turn to white gravel, and a road bike may prefer to keep to the tarmac. The surface is generally decent but can be patchy after winter, and the traffic includes plenty of tourists, so the best times are early morning and weekdays. In spring, the hills are green and the broom is in flower, and in autumn the vineyards turn to gold and rust.
For fuel, Greve in Chianti, about four and a half kilometres to the north, has stations and shops, and Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, about twelve kilometres away, offers more choice. Panzano has a few shops and a bakery, but it is best to fill before arriving. Parking is easy at the edge of the village, and a short walk takes you to the main street.
The village hosts a few events during the year, and the church of San Leolino, a Romanesque building a short way out of town, is worth a quiet visit if you want a change from the wine.