Autumn is the perfect season to take a road trip for the weekend and discover some of the best wineries Italy has on offer. You can spend the day roaming around the countryside, either walking or biking, and in the late afternoon head back and visit wine cellars with wine tasting experiences at sunset coupled with trying some exceptional regional specialities (which, fortunately for us in Italy, we have much of). Fortunately again, most of our peninsula produces a wide selection of wine, more than anywhere else in the world, and uses 605 unique grapes to produce it. Red wine is perhaps the most renowned, produced in the majority of the regions followed by sparkling wine. White wine and rosé are less common but still found in regions such as Trentino Alto Adige, Veneto and Sardegna. Enough of the background, where are the best locations for wine tasting in Italy?
1
Tenuta Venturini Baldini, emilia romagna
The winery Venturini Baldini is located in Reggio Emilia and offers guests to either drop in for a wine tasting experience at their Wine Relais Roncolo 1888 or stay overnight in one of the 11 (soon to be 16) rooms of the estate. Full of history, this 17th century estate has been recently redesigned with a contemporary, country-chic approach, without compromising its heritage. A very important part of this Winery is not only the production of Wine itself, but also the Acetaia di Canossa, one of the oldest vinegar cellar in Emilia-Romagna. Therefore you can take part in a variety of experiences that span from a visit to the wine cellar coupled with their organic wine tasting (and pairings) or combine both the wine and balsamic vinegar tasting with the Grand Tour for €45 per person. WEBSITE
2
Bersi Serlini,
Lombardia
The Domaine Bersi Serlini dates back to the medieval era and was acquired by the Bersi Serlini family in the 19th century and has been a family run business ever since. In 1970 they produced the first Brut in Franciacorta and today count 7 varieties of Franciacorta from the Brut, a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc to Blanc de Blancs, pure Chardonnay as well as Satén (100% Chardonnay) and Rosé Rosa Rosae (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay). Visit the Bersi Serlini wine cellar combined with either a trip to the smallest restaurant of the Franciacorta region for an exceptional tasting menu or book one of the numerous experiences available that range from romantic picnics in the vineyards with a bohemian set-up. WEBSITE
3
il borro,
toscana
A medieval hamlet in the Relais & Châteaux family that dates back to the 20th century. Situated in the heart of Tuscany in the Valdarno valley, this charming and historic location is the ideal place if you wish to transform your tasting experience into a weekend escape in nature. The entire estate is based on the exclusive use of natural fertilisers and organic pesticides for the cultivation of the vineyards as well as years and years of study to ensure the best potential location for the each grape variety to thrive. This combination of a sustainable approach and attentive care in positioning the vineyards is the recipe of success for the estate, whose wines are of ultimate quality. Il Borro organises customised tours that includes visiting the Wine & Art Gallery (including Ferruccio Ferragamo’s private collection of engravings), touring the vineyards, exploring the historical cellar and of course, tasting the wines. WEBSITE
4
Castello di Bossi, toscana
Situated among the chianti hills and lying among the uncontaminated tuscan countryside is Castello di Bossi, an agriturismo made up of 700 hectares of land and 3 farmhouses where one can book out a room (or the entire farmhouse) for an experience made up of two very essential things: Wine & Nature. The estate is founded by Marco Bacci, owner of the renowned wine group Bacci Wines founded back in 1985 and today covers an area of roughly 900 hectares including 5 wine estates: Castello di Bossi Tenuta di Renieri, Barbaione, Renieri and Terre di Talamo with 25 wine labels that include a spectrum of whites, reds, rosés and sparkling wines. There are various Wine Tasting experiences offered here, including a tour of the cellar and the pairing to either a cured meat platter, cheese or bruschetta. WEBSITE
5
Tasca d’almerita,
Sicilia
For the past two hundred years, Tasca d’Almerita has been producing some of the most renowned wine labels in Sicily. In the beginning of the 19th Century, the Mastrogiovanni Tasca brothers purchased 1200 hectares in the Regaleali contrada introducing the latest, innovative agricultural technologies to the country. Since then, the winery expanded covering a multitude of landscapes from the island of Salina to the slopes of Mount Etna counting today a total of five estates: Regaleali, Capofaro, Tascante, Whitaker and Sallier de La Tour, These harvest both national and international grape varieties (including autochthonous kinds) in order to produce wonderful blends and single varietal wines. Of course, each productive nucleus has its own marked personality. You can immerse yourself in the world of Tasca from tasting experiences in each of the estates. At Capofaro, you delve into a sensational view over the mediterranean with a walk through stretches of vineyards to end up at the exceptional restaurant in which Chef Gabriele Camiolo will continue the story across typical Aeolian products accompanied by a pairing of Tasca d’Almerita wines. Here, you can also stay over at the wonderful Capofaro resort and sleep among Malvasia grapevines (not literally of course). WEBSITE
6
Feudi di San Gregorio,
campania
Feudi di San Gregorio is situated on the soft hills of Irpinia, an area known for its vineyards that alternate with fruit trees and olive groves, surrounded by evergreen landscapes.e. Established in 1986 by two Irpinian families, it is one of the first Design Wineries, carried out by the Japanese architect Hikaru Mori, and exhibited twice as architectural excellence at the Venice Biennale. Since its early days, the winery focused on the preservation and promotion of southern grape varieties such as Aglianico, Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo, Feudi di San Gregorio offers a multitude of experiences that highlight both the winery and its fantastic location including various visits to the vineyard and the cellar, sensorial tastings that take you through a curated aromatic journey, the Marennà gourmet restaurant on the first floor (recently renovated by the architect Roberto Liorni), the vegetable garden, the Wine Theater for exclusive events and La Foresteria, a guesthouse in the vineyards for those who want to have an all-round experience and stay overnight. WEBSITE
7
donnafugata,
sicilia
Donnafugata is a mystical, magical wine label that, although came to life in 1983, it is seen as a revolutionary, innovative label. Named after the novel Il Gattopardo by Tomasi di Lampedusa, Donnafugata establishes its ties to its region: Sicily. It was founded by Giacomo Rallo and his wife Gabriella and joined by their son Antonio and daughter José, they continue to run their family run business in its many facets from wonderful collaborations with Dolce & Gabbana (producing the exceptional Tancredi 2016, 2017, 2018) to a yoga retreat with Vanessa Villa and her Fight Gently method to the latest experience that connects wine to music. Located in Sicily, Donnafugata boasts of three main production sites with one in Marsala, where the bottling and ageing processes take place. The Contessa Entellina winery in the heart of western Sicily, with vineyards and olive groves and the Khamma winery on the volcanic island of Pantelleria with vineyards planted to Zibibbo (68 hectares) cultivated alberello pantesco (UNESCO World Heritage). There are numerous experiences you can organise with Donnafugata in all of the five locations but two that stand out particularly are the Ben Ryé Under The Stars, in which you taste six labels including the renowned Passito di Pantelleria, under a magical (and romantic) atmosphere whilst the second is a Music and Wine tasting for a multisensorial experience in which each of the three wine labels are accompanied by a piece of music to enhance the tasting experience. WEBSITE
8
Berlucchi,
lombardia
The noble Palazzo Lana Berlucchi is where in 1955 Count Guido Berlucchi, who at that time produced Pinot based white wine, was approached by his dear friend Franco Ziliani, winemaker, to create a sparkling wine with the same method as Champagne. In fact, in 1961, together, they produced the first bottle of Franciacorta in Italy. Berlucchi continues to produce this exceptional Metodo Classico continuing the 17th century legacy of the name. With 116 vineyards on site, four primary labels are produced in all their declinations from Brut to Rosé and Satin, as well as Special Editions. There are three types of visits you can book to explore the world of Berlucchi, including the Classic and Precious Tours for a visit to the historic cellars with a guided tasting paired with artisanal baked goods and the Exclusive Tour in which the splendid 17th-century rooms of Palazzo Lana Berlucchi and the rarest Reserve wines are saved exclusively for you. Prices vary from €28. WEBSITE
9
bosco de medici, pompei, campania
The Azienda Agricola Bosco De ‘Medici was born in 1996, and in 2014 the two families Palomba and Monaco founded the winery in order to honour the legacy and passions of grandfather Raffaele for the land and vineyards of Vesuvius. Due to the strategic location moments from the archeological site of Pompeii, the vineyards thrive in this volcanic territory due to the rich mineral properties in the soil. Bosco De’ Medici is a multi’-faceted location that includes a resort, a winery and an organic garden from where guests who wish to take part in tasting will have to opportunity to taste some deliciously home grown produce. One of the unique experiences you can do at the Azienda Agricola is the Tasting Pompeii Tour which includes a tour of the property, where guests can visit the vineyards, an Ancient Necropoli from 79AD and the wine cellar. Later, return to the enchanted pergola gardens to take the labels paired with seasonal, garden picked delicacies. If you wish to stay the night, there are family rooms and deluxe suites with jacuzzi and chromo-therapy in the farmhouse. WEBSITE
10
Tenuta di Arceno, toscana
Tenuta di Arceno is a historic winery that dates back to the twelfth century and is located on the hills of Chianti Classico, home to ancient Etruscan settlements. Nestled between the Ambra river and the Ombrone river, it’s a highly suited area to winemaking and agricultural production due to the humidity of the soil. It was acquired in 1994 by Jackson Family Wines who today, continue to produce some of the best reds in the Area alongside their prestigious whites back in the states. The estate spreads across 1000 hectares, with 92 vineyards among Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Among these, 6 labels are produced in two denominations: DOCG and Toscana IGT with three blends and three varietal wine labels. Experiences here are tailored and vary from a visit to the vineyards followed by a tasting session to a romantic picnic in the woods accompanied by some great red wine. WEBSITE
