Dreaming of a wine-fuelled Italian getaway? Italy currently stands as the world’s largest wine-producing county, with a vast and varied winegrowing landscape waiting to be explored.
From Tuscany’s revered Brunello to Piedmont’s prestigious Barolo – dubbed the ‘king of wine and the wine of kings’ – to Umbria’s crisp white crisp white Grechetto, Italian wines are loved and lauded all over the world. Lazio is often associated with Rome’s cultural treasures, but the region’s 3,000-year-old winemaking history is just as fascinating.
So, where to begin? There’s no right of wrong answer, but it does help to speak with a local wine lover or expert. Offering over 30 years of experience, our Concierge team can help with local tips and advice on what sets each region apart. Plan your wine tasting itinerary at the exact right moment, and you’ll see regions like Veneto, Tuscany, Piedmont and Lazio at their finest.
With a stay in one of our vineyard villas, let the wine tasting commence from the comfort of your terrace or living room. In Tuscany, our Private Cellar experience can also bring a curated selection and sommelier-led wine experience directly to selected villas. Read on and become fully immersed in the world of Italian wine from the moment you arrive.
Piedmont
Located in north-western Italy, Piedmont – which means “at the foot of the mountain” – is one of Italy’s most celebrated wine regions, known for its truffles and chocolate as much as its fascinating winemaking heritage.
Although Piedmont accounts for a relatively small share of Italy’s total wine production, its wines are highly sought after all over the world. The region is the spiritual home of Nebbiolo, the red grape behind prestigious wines like Barolo and Barbaresco. Around Asti and Alba, you can also find wines made from the Barbera grape variety.
Local Tip: We recommend visiting during October and November, when truffle season comes out to play and showcases the best of the region’s decadent cuisine.
Where to stay: Located 25 minutes away from the shores of Lake Maggiore, Cà Corniolo Maggiore has a private wine cellar, featuring an assortment of local wines from the renowned Barolo and Gavi regions, as well as selections from the nearby Valli Ossolane DOC. Delve into Piedmont’s rich wine heritage with a private tasting in the villa’s cantina. Beyond the wine, this spectacular villa is ideally located for exploring Piedmont’s stunning lakes and landscapes, including Lake Orta and the island of San Giulio.
Umbria
Italy’s so-called ‘green heart’ still somehow plays second fiddle to Tuscany, despite its sprawling vineyards and exquisite wine. By remaining relatively under the radar, Umbria offers a delightful experience for wine enthusiasts of all levels.
Home to centuries of winemaking and hilltop towns surrounded by vineyards, Umbria’s wines pack a punch. Montefalco is widely known for its production of Sagrantino, a bold red wine. White wine enthusiasts should visit Orvieto’s vineyards further west, where volcanic soils help shape the area’s distinctive wines.
Local Tip: Charming medieval villages such as Todi and Assisi offer the perfect day trip from your villa in Umbria. Stop at a family-run trattoria to sample local wines alongside traditional Umbrian dishes.
Where to stay: We’re pleased to offer a selection of vineyard villas in Umbria with private swimming pools and sun-warmed alfresco terraces for sipping wine into the night. Make the palatial Santi Terzi your launchpad for a wine-tasting adventure in Umbria. Close to Todi, I Ruderi is perfect for small groups, showcasing a wine cellar grotto carved right into the hillside.
Tuscany
Famous for its vast vineyards and impeccable wine, Tuscany is synonymous with Italian wine. The Sangiovese grape is at the heart of many of Tuscany’s most celebrated wines – from Brunello di Montalcino to Chianti and Chianti Classico – with each major appellation offering its own expression of the region’s terroir.
The Super Tuscans came about in the 20th century, particularly along Tuscany’s coast, shifting the global conversation and essentially ‘breaking the rules’ by embracing international grape varieties and winemaking styles that fell outside traditional appellation regulations.
Local tip: Head to the Maremma coast to sample the region’s increasingly sought-after rosés. Producers such as Podere 414 and Tenuta Ammiraglia are creating wines that capture Tuscany’s coastal influence.
Where to stay: Set on a 900-acre Chianti wine and olive-oil estate, The Estate of Petroio offers sommelier-led in-villa wine tastings and autumnal truffle hunting experiences in the Chianti hills.
Lazio
Italy’s central region, Lazio, boasts an ancient winemaking tradition. Though Rome’s usually first to steal the spotlight – the capital of the region and country – the wider countryside around the Eternal City is just as rewarding for wine lovers.
The region’s winemaking history stretches back to ancient times, with Etruscan and Roman influences shaping its viticulture. Vines have long thrived in Lazio’s volcanic soils and favourable climate, while monks and Renaissance popes later contributed to the region’s wine culture.
Local Tip: Drive to Frascati, a charming hilltop town near Rome, to sample the region’s award-winning white wines, including Frascati DOC and Frascati Superiore DOCG.
Where to stay: Elaios is a fully staffed 18th-century villa surrounded by sweeping olive groves, oak forests and ancient Etruscan landscapes. Private wine tastings and cooking classes with a chef can be arranged during your stay.
Veneto
Veneto’s rich and diverse winemaking heritage makes it a fascinating wine destination to explore. Venture to Verona or Venice first for a culture fix, before making your way to the vine-covered Valpolicella region.
Verona’s surrounding vineyards, just west of Venice, have an ancient winemaking heritage dating back centuries.
Valpolicella produces the standout Amarone, a world-renowned dry red wine made from partially dried grapes. For crisp white wines, make your way to the understated small village of Custoza in the province of Verona.
Local Tip: Wine lovers should seek out celebrated Valpolicella producers such as Giuseppe Quintarelli, one of the region’s most influential names, with visits arranged in advance where available.
Where to stay: We have a selection of villa rentals near Venice and Verona. Stay at Ca' di Lista, a 16th-century country retreat and Venetian villa tucked away on a prestigious wine estate. Sip and sample the estate’s Colli Euganei wines during a private tasting.
Plan your perfect wine tasting trip to Italy
Explore Italy’s best wine regions with a stay in one of our vineyard villas, from restored farmhouses to palatial country homes.
Each region offers something different: In Tuscany, you can sip and sample the prestigious classics, from Brunello di Montalcino to Chianti Classico, or venture along the coast to try the region’s increasingly sought-after rosé wines. Landlocked Umbria offers exquisite dry whites like Grechetto; while the Veneto region in the north east of Italy makes everything from Valpolicella to Prosecco.
Whether you’re visiting Veneto or Lazio, our award-winning Concierge can help organise bespoke in-villa tastings and local wine experiences. Get in touch with a Villa Specialist to begin shaping your wine tasting trip.