Located on Costa del Municipio--the narrow little street that runs between Piazza Padella and Piazza del Popolo--in the bell-towered Municipio (a.k.a. Palazzo Comunale) building. Money can be changed here (in moderate amounts); English spoken; brochures plentiful. Tel/Fax number: 0577 849 343.

Mountain Bike Rentals

Lorenzo Minocci and his family run the only gas stations in Montalcino - one on the edge of town just north of the Fortezza, and the other just outside of town where the southern road forks to take you in the direction of either Siena (Buonconvento) or Rome (Torrenieri). At this newer and more spacious venue, he offers a full service snack bar and "tavola calda" serving light meals, a fully automated, coin-operated car wash, and rental of mountain bikes.

Standard mountain bikes are 13.00 Euros a day, 77.50 Euros a week; those who want shock-absorbing bikes pay more (15.50/98.00 Euros). If you want to drive out of Montalcino to one of the distant bike paths, bikes can be folded to fit into most cars; when possible, they will also deliver the bikes to you if you are staying locally. Bike path guides are sold at the station as well as at Castello Banfi's Enoteca.

Upon request, guided mountain tours and excursions can be arranged.

Wine Glasses

Franci Cristalli
Via Ricasoli, 28
Tel. 0577 846 117

A charming young Japanese woman runs this shop, which is associated with Enoteca Franci around the corner on Piazzale Fortezza. Tomoko Miyajima moved to Montalcino with her husband, Yoshiaki, when he came to work at Castello Banfi. She offers an excellent selection of crystal wineglasses, including Riedel, Spiegelau, Calp, and Cristallo di Val di Pesa. An interesting new item is the "Brunello tecnico" glass, which has a "thumbprint" of tiny ridges on the inside which aids in swirling and releasing the wine's maximum aroma. Also offered: assorted corkscrews, tasting cups and stylish crystal olio cruets, among other wine related items.