The town of Montepulciano has retained the characteristic features of its medieval origins to this day. The town centre emerged as a Pearl of the "16th Century" on a hill between the Val di Chiana and the Val d'Orcia.

The exact origin of the name is not known for certain. In a document from 714 a "Castello Politiano" is mentioned. From then on "Mons Policianus" was the certain forerunner of today's Montepulciano. The independent, but militarily weak community protected itself for about 700 years by alternating alliance with its mighty Tuscan neighbours, Florence and Siena until in 1511 the Policians formed an alliance with the Florentine Republic and subjected themselves to the rule of the Medicis. In 1808 Napoleon I put Montepulciano under Sienan administration, which continued during Italy's history as a kingdom and is still the case today as a republic.

The district of Montepulciano has some 14000 inhabitants and seven towns. The actual town called Montepulciano has 5000 inhabitants. In order to protect the particular characteristics of the area, Montepulciano decided some time ago to avoid industrial development. Instead the agriculture, tourism and service sectors were developed. Throughout the Montepulciano district the unspoiled, natural ambience typical of the Tuscan hills can still be found and much appreciated.