Wine Travel to Umbria 2018
If you have not been to Umbria, you need to put it on your bucket list. Paul and I have been blessed to experience many parts of Italy and Sicily. There are so many wonderful places. Umbria has become one of our favorites. From the Sagrantino wine experience to the mountain top villages, to castles and medieval villages galore to weekly slow food festivals, Umbria is our international home away from home.
While planning your adventures consider these destinations.
1. Relais il Canalicchio, a beautifully restored mountain top medieval village of Canalicchio has been converted into a resort. The cobblestone streets, original chapel and millstone are further enhanced by ancient arches and panoramic valley views. The onsite restaurant offers excellent food, great service and daily changing menu.
Relais il Canalicchio, Via Della Piazza 4, Canalicchio, +39-0758707326
2. If you are looking for the Sagrantino wine experience, all Umbrian wineries are within 30 minutes of Canalicchio. Our 2019 visits included Lungarotti, Perticaia, Antonelli San Marco, Tabarrini, Scacciadiavoli, Montinio, Romanelli, and Arnoldo-Caprai. Try 3 wineries per day and allow for leisurely conversation at each. Make appointments.
Most offer options like wine with bread, wine with cheese and bread, or wine and cheese and meats. Each offers a different experience. Often you can meet the owners/winemakers.
Owners/winemakers at Lungarotti, Perticaia, Antonelli San Marco, Scacciadiavoli and Romanelli made themselves available for conversations. It adds so much to the visit!
3. Every season has its unique experiences. Travelling in October we enjoyed:
The annual Chocolate festival in Perugia http://www.bellaumbria.net/en/eurochocolate/
The Black Celery and Sausage festival in Trevi http://www.annesitaly.com/blog/trevis-october-black-celery-festival/
The Slow Food festival in Orvieto featuring olives this year https://www.orvietoviva.com/en/orvieto-main-events/ .
Please check these festivals out on line before you go because several of the great events at the festivals are ticketed.
4. Our favorite towns to visit so far (we have many yet to explore):
Perugia – don’t miss the Sandri dal 1860, Corso Vannucci, 32. It is a bar/cafe/pastry shop that is fabulous. http://www.italia.it/en/travel-ideas/art-cities/perugia.html
Montefalco is the walled city in the middle of Umbria. Town center boasts several great restaurants, a wonderful museum and the office for the ‘Sagrantino Road’. They even offer sommelier led tastings of Sagrantino on Fridays. These informative tastings are a great beginning to your adventure. Contact them for a reservation. http://www.stradadelsagrantino.it/index.php?l=en
Orvieto features one of the most elaborate Duomos in Italy. It is the centerpiece of town. You must have a ticket to see it. Also fascinating are the Etruscan enoteca still in use today and the caves hosting the original pigeon farms, olive oil press, and wine cellars.
Bevagna is today what Taormina was 40 years ago. Paul and I went to Taormina, Sicily, 40 years ago. It was a quiet little village hanging off the cliffs above the Strait of Messina. Today it is a bustling tourist destination and major shopping town. Bevagna is that small quiet village today with all the elements to become the next Taormina.
Blessings in your travels!
Merrill Bonarrigo
Co-founder & MOM
Messina Hof Wine Cellars, Inc.