From north to south, Italy is bursting with wine producers that feature some of the most unforgettable experiences imaginable. Ornellaia, for example, offers guests everything from tours and tasting to wine dinners and even the chance to see the original artworks of their famed Vendemmia d’Artista, an annual program for which a specific name is given to the flagship wine based on its character Tensione, L’Eleganza, etc.–and then a renowned artist is commissioned to create “a site-specific work of art for the estate and a set of limited-edition labels,” as Ornellaia puts it, adding: “Since 2019, the profits made from the Vendemmia d’Artista project are donated to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation’s Mind’s Eye program, which helps blind or low-vision people experiment art by using all other senses.” Castello di Brolio boasts an incredible breadth of experiences, including tours of their nearly nine-hundred-year-old castle. Cusumano, in Sicily, hosts visitors in their Etna estate as well as the one in Partinico, not far from Palermo. A stay at Tasca d’Almerita’s Tenuta Capofaro estate on the Aeolian island of Salina is movie-set gorgeous. The only issue we can think of is that one wine-themed visit to Italy demands another and then another. Best to get planning and packing!
Best Wineries to Visit in Tuscany
Castiglion del Bosco
Not only does Castiglion del Bosco produce terrific wines — they were one of the original members of the appellation’s consorzio, or association of producers, back in 1967 — but the property itself is breathtaking. Spread out over 5,000 acres, it boasts all of the elegant amenities and restaurants that you’d expect of the Rosewood hotel group. Whether you’re there for fantastic Brunello, a relaxing getaway, or golf, there is something here for everyone.
Il Borro
In 1993, the fashion world’s Ferragamo family set about restoring the more than hundred-year-old hamlet nestled within 2,700 acres of organic farmland that affords guests the opportunity to golf, ride horses, learn to cook seasonal Tuscan dishes, and more. The range of accommodations is broad — all impeccably appointed, of course — and the wines are excellent, from remarkable sparkling to amazing selections of Super Tuscan reds.
Best Wineries to Visit in Trentino – Alto Adige
Abbazia di Novacella
Set into one of the more dramatically beautiful locations in the region, Abbazia di Novacella offers visitors the opportunity to stroll through the baroque church on-site, tour the abbey, and savor some seriously accomplished wines in the winery (sommeliers tend to love the Kerner). There’s also a wine bar on the property, where South Tyrolean nibbles, as well as herbal teas and schnapps produced at the estate, are on the menu.
Elena Walch
For fans of Pinot Grigio and haters of the misunderstood grape variety, Elena Walch is a must-visit. Their single vineyard, Castel Ringberg, is among the most exciting in Italy, but the estate also produces phenomenal Pinot Bianco, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Nero, and more. It’s family-owned (Elena founded it, and her daughters, Julia and Caroline, now run the estate), terrifically accomplished, and offers a wide swath of tours, all listed here.
Best Wineries to Visit in Piedmont
GAJA
Now in its fifth generation, GAJA is one of the icons of not just the Italian wine world but of the entire world of wine. Their single vineyard bottlings from Barbaresco and Barolo are the stuff of collectors’ dreams, and their wines from Bolgheri (at the Ca’ Marcanda estate) and Montalcino (at Pieve Santa Restituta) are equally spectacular. The two-hour visits are by appointment only and feature a tour and tasting of wines selected by the Gaja family. They are predicated on a 300 euro charitable donation per person to one of a few specific charities they work with. Since inaugurating the program, GAJA has, they told us in an email, ” raised almost EUR2 million towards constructing a new local hospital, safeguarding biodiversity, restoring local monuments, developing local culture, and assisting people in need.” Email visit@gaja.com for more information.
Pio Cesare
The Alba facility of Pio Cesare first opened to the public in 2018. Since then, guests with an appointment have been able to enjoy a private tour and tasting (always together) for between 70 and 200 euros, depending on the tasting option that’s chosen, from more everyday wines to older bottles pulled directly from the estate’s private cellar. Starting in November, guests will have the option of booking a tour and tasting at the restored, old farmhouse on top of Mosconi Hill in Monforte, visiting the vineyard, and exploring the wines that Pio Cesare produces from it, as well as mature vintages from their private cellar. It promises to be an unforgettable experience. To book, email visits@piocesare.it.
How to Find the Best Italian Wines
Best Wineries to Visit in Sicily
Donnafugata
One of the most iconic producers in all of Sicily, Donnafugata offers an excellent lens of what makes the region so exciting. Guests can visit both their Marsala and Vittoria wineries and experience their outstanding reds, whites, and Marsalas through a range of tasting options, including food pairings and library tastings of older vintages. Visit their website here for more information.
Firriato
Firriato is a leader in the world of organics and biodynamics in Italy. Guests to Firriato’s exquisite Sicilian property will learn all about their leadership in biodynamic and organic wine production, as well as what makes their wines so special. Wine lovers are welcome at all seven of their estates, each of which offers a unique and delicious look at the wonderful biodiversity of Sicily. More information can be found here.
Best Wineries to Visit in Campania
Fontanavecchia
Sannio is one of the gems of Campania. It’s located about an hour outside of Naples and is home to the vast majority of Falanghina produced in Italy. It also shines with Aglianico (and other varieties, too), and producers across the region offer a warm welcome to visitors. Fontanavecchia is owned by the Rillo family (Dr. Libero Rillo is also the president of the region’s Consorzio), and visitors can expect a deeply personal tour and an education on the wonders of the estate — which excels with local varietals like Aglianico, Falanghina, and Greco– as well as the region itself.
Looking for a Great Bordeaux? Try the Italian Section of Your Wine Shop
Mastroberardino
Whether it’s with their age-worthy Radici Taurasi Riserva, their culpable yet complex Fiano di Avellino, or wildly food-friendly Greco di Tufo, Mastroberardino seemingly does it all. Visitors can immerse themselves in this world, either relaxing in one of the twelve rooms on-site, savoring spa treatments, or simply sipping wine and marveling at the landscape. More casual visits, complete with one of the many tasting options they offer, are also great ways to experience Mastroberardino, all of which are detailed right here.
Best Wineries to Visit in Puglia
Masseria Li Veli
The wines produced by Masseria Li Veli embody much of what makes Puglia such a remarkable wine region. Visitors are able to choose between three options, from a 90-minute tour and tasting of five wines to a more robust lunch. The wine education is excellent, and the many bottlings from Li Veli live up to the hype. Book in advance here.
Tenute Rubino
Reflecting the phenomenal tourism infrastructure that Puglia has built over the past decade or so, Tenute Rubino offers an incredible selection of options for visitors, from classic tastings to a guided tour of the town, food and wine pairings, and more. They even have their wine bar, Numero Primo. Check it all out right here.
During six months of research prior to the debut of SWR’s Bottle Weight Accord–a bottle weight reduction pact that involves all of those retailers above–in October 2023, Dr. Stansbury and the SWR team found that both of those were false.
“There is no link in consumers’ minds between the weight of a bottle and the quality of the wine in it,” Dr. Stansbury explains. “There’s also no reason why lighter bottles will be more fragile. Many growers have used bottles even lighter than 420 grams for ages with no problem.”
