We know Italy has loads and loads of beautiful places to visit and history to uncover, but what really excites us about the country is all the amazing food and drink – specifically the pizza, pasta, and wine (oh, and the Aperol).
So, during an Italian jaunt, we reckon there is absolutely nothing better to do than head out to one (or more than one) of the hundreds of vineyards the country has to offer. Not only can you sample some of the region’s tastiest vintages, you’re bound to be surrounded by beautiful scenery, and there’s always a good chance some tasty nibbles will be passed around under your nose.
Like we just mentioned, there are hundreds of vineyards in Italy so it can be difficult to visit them all (trust us, we’d like to try), especially if you’re only in the country for a few days. That’s why we’ve compiled a bit of a list of our faves – the best scenery, the best experiences and, obviously, the best vino!
Contucci, Montepulciano
If you’re ‘doing wine properly’ in Italy, we reckon you head straight for Tuscany – one of the country’s major wine regions, and home to some of its most stunning vineyards. At the very heart of the Tuscan region is the beautiful little village of Montepulciano which you’ll probably recognise from the list of reds on the wine list of your favourite Italian restaurant. Despite being a tiny little place, Montepulciano is world-renowned for the plonk it produces.
One of our favourite wineries, Contucci, can be found in Montepulciano, and it really transports you back to a simpler time. It might not be as modern or flashy as some other vineyards (we’ll get to those next), but the scenery and relaxed vibes of Monty (still trying to get that nickname to stick) more than make up for it. Rows of vines for as far as the eye can see, small stone buildings, the beating Tuscan sun, and an endless supply of wine – perfection. Even if you’re not a lover of reds, Contucci knocks out a really delicious white with the local grapes.
If you’re cruising to Rome via Civitavecchia, and you’ve got a couple of days in the Eternal City, you’re definitely close enough to make a trip to the Tuscan hills and enjoy a drop or two in Montepulciano.
Tenuta Castelbuono, Umbria
Umbria is right next door to Tuscany, has a lot of the same geographical features that make its neighbour amazing at producing wine, is home to loads of brilliant vineyards, and yet – it’s not one that’s on a lot of people’s radars.
Tenuta Castelbuono could change all that, however. Although it’s super different to many of the traditional vineyards that are dotted throughout Italy, we think it’s going to become an absolute icon of Italian wine. It was opened in 2001 with a focus on organic production and improving the quality of the vines that had been on the plot for generations. The Lunelli family created a couple of stunning wines, gained a bit of popularity, and then did something that literally put the vineyard on the map – they built the dome!
The ’Carapace’ is a large and beautiful domed winery that sits in the middle of the vineyard. Its curving roof is cracked to reflect the scorched earth and it emerges out of the hills really beautifully. If you’d like the be transported to a new world while supping delicious wines, Tenuta Castelbuono is definitely the place for you.
Feudi di San Gregorio, Avellino
Heading further south, the Avellino province, just outside of Naples is probably Italy’s finest location for one of our fiercest passions – supping wine in the sun. Probably the most interesting vineyard in the region is Feudi di San Gregorio, where the owners have nearly as much interest in art as they do wine.
The winery collaborates with established and upcoming artists to pair their wines with really beautiful bottle designs. A visit to the vineyard is a true multi-sensory experience offering opportunities to sample wines, explore herb gardens, taste locally-produced food, and sit down and relax in the modern winery.
Reds, whites, pinks, fizzes, and dessert wines – Feudi di San Gregorio produces them all, and it’s probably a wise idea to sample quite a few whilst you’re visiting. Otherwise, how would you know which is your favourite?
Nani Rizzi, Valdobbiadene
Right, let’s get down to business – Prosecco. It’s the best one, isn’t it? We love a red, a white, or a pink – but really, we’re in Italy, where’s the Prosecco? Luckily, luckily, luckily, there are loads of Prosecco-producing vineyards in the Valdobbiadene region which are more than happy to open their doors and let us try a flute or two of fizz.
And, we think Nani Rizzi is the absolute best of the best (although, we are willing to keep the judging open). The place is absolutely beautiful, it’s exactly what you want from an Italian vineyard – rolling hills of deep green vines in pretty much every direction, bottle after bottle of fizz and a swimming pool (yes, really!).
The winery itself is a gorgeous, minimalistic building perched above ground level with a glass-panelled tasting room that’s treated to possibly the best views anywhere in the world has to offer. Nani Rizzi produces six different sparkling whites as well as a sparkling rosé, and we think each of them is well worth a try.
So, there you go – we’ve named four for you. But probably could have tipped you off for about 40, and we’re more than willing to continue our research. Even if you’ve got a comprehensive booze package on your cruise around Italy, we’d always recommend stepping onto dry land and making your way to a vineyard for a wine-tasting sesh. There’s literally nothing better.
If you’re ready to set sail and explore the beautiful wines of Italy, head to our homepage and have a look through the world’s best cruise deals!