The enchantment of nature, the colours, the breathtaking landscapes and then that welcoming atmosphere that smells of wine and the territory: sensations that winery and wine resort lovers know well, because when you enter the estate, you dive into a unique universe where time begins to flow more slowly and every single minute is filled with many experiences, all very intense. Treat yourself to a mini break in a wine estate combines the relaxation of the holiday with the possibility of getting in touch with the history and production philosophy of a territory, a real full immersion that pampers the senses and enriches one's background. More and more realities in Italy are opening their doors to visitors, involving them in a form of experiential storytelling to live along the wine roads.
Among the regions that see the highest concentration of wine resorts is Umbria: let's discover together the estates that welcome tourists and wine enthusiasts in the land of Sagrantino.
Wine resort in Umbria: where the heart of wine tourism beats
Whether it's old houses or small family-run estates, what characterizes wine resorts and wineries with overnight stays and tasting is hospitality. Those who choose to visit these realities have the opportunity to know the productive heart of the company and to get in touch with the history and tradition of the area.
Accompanied by the estate staff, visitors observe the native vines during a walk in the vineyard, enter the cellar, witness the highlights of the winemaking process, taste the final product and learn to recognize its peculiarities. At certain times of the year, external guests have the opportunity to be directly involved in some iconic activities, such as the harvest. This type of thematic itinerary is usually combined with a package of experiences designed to enhance the structure and its characteristics: food and wine, outdoor sports and wellness are at the top of the list of the most popular formulas among tourists.
Villas, mansions and castles represent the true connective tissue of a tourist trend that in the last 30 years has spread in an increasingly capillary way also in Italy: wine tourism. This formula, which consists of a journey to discover the places of wine, finds in the network of resorts, relais and wineries with overnight stays a solid support network that scans the territories, in Umbria, as well as in all the main Italian regions with a wine vocation .
Precisely in Umbria, the history of these structures is firmly linked to wine tourism in the sign of an ad hoc disciplinary approved with the Deliberation of the Regional Council n.772 of 2 September 2020, which implements the provisions of the Budget Law n. 205 of 2017.
In Umbria, the discovery of wine and native vines becomes more intense and fascinating along the roads of Sagrantino: here in the heart of the Montefalco area, a few kilometers from Perugia, stands the Còlpetrone estate. Let's take a closer look.
Discovering the Sagrantino of Còlpetrone
For lovers of great Italian red wines, "Umbria" is synonymous with Sagrantino, an autochthonous vine that frames the splendid village of Montefalco and offers the basis for a highly appreciated production available in Dry and Passito versions. The territory in which Sagrantino thrives, offering a glance with reddish tones during the autumn foliage, is one of the favorite destinations for wine tourists, who often love to discover it by bike or motorbike.
For wine lovers, a stop in Còlpetrone is ideal. The company is part of Tenute del Cerro, a winery owned by the Unipol Group, and was founded in 1995, almost at the same time as the recognition of the DOCG to Montefalco Sagrantino. The estate is located within a production area that winds along the profile of the Umbrian hills, in the portion of territory between the municipalities of Montefalco, Bevagna, Gualdo Cattaneo, Castel Ritaldi and Giano Dell'Umbria. Visitors arriving at the estate are welcomed among the vineyards and the cellar and accompanied on a journey to discover the flavors of the area: the Còlpetrone staff, in fact, guides the visit by offering a series of tastings that combine cured meats and cheeses from the rich local food and wine to the aroma of the wines produced, first of all the Sagrantino Montefalco DOCG. This prestigious red wine is offered here in three versions: "Sacer", "O' di Còlpetrone and the "Memoira", which just recently received the gold medal at the Berliner Wein Trophy 2023 for the 2015 vintage.
During the visit to the winery it is also possible to taste the other Còlpetrone productions, including Umbria Rosso IGT, Grechetto Umbria IGT, Montefalco Sagrantino Passito and Montefalco rosso Còlpetrone 2019, also awarded at the Berliner Wein Trophy 2023.
Not just wine: stop in Montecorona among olive and peach trees
Umbria is a land of wine, but it is also rich in important agricultural productions. Wine resort lovers know it well: whether you choose it for a wine tourism itinerary or you visit it in a "slow" mode, the beauty of this region is that it offers many pleasant detours and interesting opportunities to appreciate its flavours. To complete a mini tour of Sagrantino, for example, a stop in Montecorona may be interesting. Surrounded by 2 thousand hectares of land, the estate rises in the heart of an imposing Camaldolese abbey and represents an important piece of the history of the area. But there is more. Montecorona is, in fact, one of the most important local agricultural realities, much appreciated for its production of extra virgin olive oil and for the flourishing cultivation of peaches. The ancient abbey of San Romualdo, which has been the site of a guesthouse for pilgrims since ancient times, also houses an elegant accommodation facility with a breathtaking view of the hermitage which dominates the valley: a classy solution for those wishing to spend a few days of relaxation immersed in nature and pampered by the delicacies of the "Abbazia di Montecorona" restaurant.
The journey to the places of wine finds one of its most interesting stops in Umbria: here, among native vines and antiquities, a walk in the cellar opens the doors to an authentic universe, made of fine wines and high quality agricultural products.
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