Hi Peg
Well I have the advantage of having done exactly that same journey, to exactly the same apartments!
The bus, when we caught it it just under a decade ago, went from stops just outside the station to your left as you exit, just past the taxi rank. If you can see a lone lady in a light coloured jacket & shoulder bag just before the two bus shelters in this google streetview - where she is standing is just where the bus left from
https://goo.gl/maps/hprtM9ipGvJ2
I smiled when you said could you *get off before the autobus station (but only because the brains of the operation is out of sight of this message!). We did just that, with full length rucksacks of ~ 14kg each. Yes the walk is shorter, but it's
very steep, and with the weight of the rucksacks.... let's just say I wasn't popular! So unless you really don't mind climbing short(ish) but very steep hills, or have very light bags, I'd lean towards staying on the bus to the Autostazione. There is a shuttle bus service up to near Politian apartments (not sure of timings), or you could try the taxi number listed below (we never used it, but had it just in case). The walk would be about 30-40 mins, very much uphill, but much more gentle, and gets you a good sight of Montepulciano. There's always the option of stopping at Caffè Poliziano en-route if the walk appeals. Alternatively a taxi from the train station shouldn't be excessive, and Emanuele did come recommended by Giacomo.
* From memory, the 'pullman' came in via the SP146 before turning right onto the via della circonvallazione Vincenzo Cozzani, which skirts the slopes of the hill (and allows you some confidence this is where Montepulciano is). It follows the adge of the slope round towards the bus station.
The Politian apartment we stayed in was excellent (as I suspect they all are), old-world class/elegance yet also comfortable as a glove. All the fittings you'd need (and considerately, some appliances more familiar to US/English than Italian). The one exception is no TV. Whilst I did miss out on my favourite evening Italian TV institution" L'eredita", I fully support owner Giacomo's argument that he is embarrassed by Italian TV and so doesn't want to share that embarrassment with his guests. Instead there is a music system (with radio and CDs IIRC). He's a lovely and interesting person, who does very much enjoy nature. We only really chatted when we left, which was a shame, as he was someone I found very interesting to listen to / talk with.
Here are my crib notes from back then (with comments listed in green from our experience). The two places with a star against them impressed us, though they are somewhat different to each other. If visiting wineries, then plenty have drop in tasting rooms / impromptu cellar visits, and it's certainly worth looking around at least one cellar for the enormous old barrels, now mostly of decorative use. Crociani impressed us, with fine value and very hard-working yet hospitable ladies working there, and the wines are very good examples of the region. If you make it out towards Stazione Montepulciano, then Daviddi were the under the radar family run gem we found (they're at the back of Poliziano). Other producers such as Dei, Avignonesi, Boscarelli worth a taste if you see, them, but plenty of good wines there, in a slightly lean 'bony' style that I prefer to the more luscious/oaky Brunello from nearby. Contucci also worth a mention - oldest of them all and fiercely traditional / focused on selling direct and engaging directly with their customers by doing so.
Local taxi: Emanuele Torelli (0)335 6177126
info@tuscanytransfer.it
Tourist office – Piazza Don Minzoni mon-sat &
strada del vino – Piazza Grande 7 mon-fri (closed Nov-Mar)
tra in bus to Siena
A Gambe di Gatto - Via dell'Opio nel Corso, 34, Phone: 0578.757431 (good food)
wed
Ai Quattro Venti - Piazza Grande, Phone: 0578.717231
Borgo Buio
[O1] - Via Borgo Buio 10, Phone: 0578 717497
mon
*La Grotta
[O2] - Localita' San Biagio, 15, Phone: 0578 757607
wed
Osteria dell’Acquacheta - Via del Teatro 22, Phone: 0578.75.84.43 wed-mon
* Osteria del Conte
[O3] - Via San Donato, 19, Phone: 0578.766.062
wed
Ristorante Le Logge del Vignola - via delle Erbe, 6, Phone: 0578.717290
Cafe Poliziano
[O4] – via di Voltaia nel Corso 27
Trattoria Diva e Maceo - Via di Gracciano nel Corso, 90/92, Phone: 0578.716.951
tue
Caseficio Silvana Cugusi, via della boccia 8 (cheeses incl. Pecorino)
[O1]Very odd place, which might appeal or horrify. The owner is an amateur opera singer who loves to serenade his guests, and it rather takes over the evening. The food was a bit hit and miss, so recommended only if a slightly surreal experience appeals
[O2]Despite facing a tourist attraction (San Biagio) this didn’t feel touristy and was indeed surprisingly classy in both food and service. We would return here. The walk back into Montepulciano is long straight (and of course uphill), but at least you can see the end-point, and it rather does 'walk off' a healthy lunch!
[O3]Really understated, but good food/ambience that makes you feel a little untouristy. We liked it here, but it’s more casual than fancy. We would return here
[O4]A mixed experience. Their breakfasts weren’t too impressive (but then the Italians are pretty inept at breakfast!) and the décor was tired in places. However head there in the afternoon or after lunch for a coffee / tea (or something alcoholic) and a plate of their excellent mignon cakes/biscuits which they excelled with.
Regards
Ian