iExplore Luxury Wine Tour of Umbria
From their website:
Recommended times for this itinerary are May 1st to mid-July and September 1st to mid-October. Depart any day! Contact an iExplore Adventure Consultant for details
Unlike Tuscany, Umbria has luckily been untouched by large-scale tourism. Etruscans and Romans made wine in this fertile region 2,500 years ago. Innumerable artists have lived here enriching its piazzas with architectural jewels and frescoed its churches and palaces with dazzling masterpieces. Food ingredients and preparation have remained traditional. Olive oil, lamb and Durham wheat pasta. Truffles from Norcia. Pecorino tartufato. Stuffed "porchetta", young roasted pig flavored with wild fennel. Stringozzi pasta resembling rustic spaghetti. Cardoon and lentils are protected by IGP. Unsalted bread, “casereccio”, is baked in wooden ovens. This is “essential” cooking where everything is balanced beautifully and all the flavors are brought out to sing together with their wines to a perfect pitch, in one of the most magical settings in the world.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Rome, Italy- Torgiano
Upon arrival at the Rome airport, you will be met by your chauffeur and your local Customer Service Coordinator and will be privately driven to your hotel Relais Borgo Brufa in Torgiano, Perugia where you will be assisted with check-in. Enjoy the balance of your day at leisure.
Dinner at the Hotel. Borgo Brufa is a luxury resort set in a highly panoramic position on the crest of a hill, offering superb views of Perugia, Assisi, Spello, Foligno, Spoleto, and of the Umbrian countryside.
Dinner
Relais Borgo Brufa
Day 2: The Cantico Route. Pila and Perugia
This morning you will be met at your hotel by your local English-speaking guide and you will be driven to visit the first winery.
There are 3 main wine routes In Umbria: The Cantico Route, the Etrusco-Roman Route and the Sagrantino route. We are starting with the Cantico Route. You will be driven to the Goretti Winery in Pila. This estate is in the DOC Perugia Hills and has its wine tastings in an imposing 14th Century tower, symbol of the winery. Outstanding wines are the red DOC L’Arringatore and the DOC Grechetto only grown in Umbria. L’Arringatore gets its name from 2nd Century BC Roman statue of “The Haranguer” (L’Arringatore) found on the Estate and which is now in the Archeological Museum in Florence. It also grows an awarded Sagrantino in Montefalco.
Wine tasting and lunch al fresco in the terrace overlooking the Colli Perugini and the city of Perugia.
Afternoon: you will visit Perugia, a notable artistic center of Italy. From its early days as an Etruscan city to the Renaissance the city played an important role in the history of the peninsula with powerful families giving birth to an overwhelming display of wealth and in turn the arts. The famous painter Pietro Vannucci, nicknamed Perugino, was a native of Perugia. He decorated the local Sala del Cambio with a beautiful series of frescoes; Notable sites are the Etruscan Arch, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, Palazzo dei Priori, and Galleria Nazionale with paintings by Piero della Francesca and Beato Angelico.
Wine tasting and dinner at Relais Borgo Brufa.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Relais Borgo Brufa
Day 3: Torgiano
This morning you will be met at your hotel by your local English-speaking guide and you will be driven to the Hotel “3 Vaselle in Torgiano owned by the Lungarotti family, one of the outstanding wine makers of Italy. Here multi-award Chef Chef Domenico D’ Imperio holds his Umbrian cooking lessons. Guests will be receive recipe booklet, and certificate of participation.
For groups of less that 8 people the cooking class will be held at the Academy Cooking School in Bettona, near Perugia. Guests will receive recipe booklet, certificate of participation and photo of event.
Lunch today is at the Hotel Le Tre Vaselle; here you will have a 4-course D’Imperio lunch with the tasting of 4 wines from the classic Lungarotti line. Drawing from the millennial cuisine of the area Chef D’Imperio creates dishes that blend the traditional and innovative.
In the afternoon you will visit the nearby Wine Museum .The museum run by the Lungarotti Foundation is a history lesson on the making and drinking of wine through the ages from the role of wine in medicine to wine making techniques, equipment and the vessels used for storing, shipping and drinking wine . The Museum has also a world-class collection of art works ranging from paintings, prints, to ceramics on the consumption of wine.
Then you will be driven to the celebrated winery founded in the 60’s by Giorgio Lungarotti and run today by 3 Lungarotti sisters. Chiara Lungarotti is President of the National Wine and Tourism organization. Tasting Torre di Giano, Aurente IGT, Rubesco Riserva DOCG, Giubilante.
You then will be driven to your Hotel Relais Borgo Brufa where you will have dinner.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Relais Borgo Brufa
Day 4: Assisi- Todi
Today after checkout, your local English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel for a full day dedicated to Assisi area.
You will be driven to the Sportoletti Winery in Spello near Assisi. The Sportoletti brothers own 40 acres on the hills of Spello and Assisi. Tasting will be with local specialties prepared by Mrs. Sportoletti. The produce 4 wines: Assisi Rosso D.O.C., Assisi Grechetto D.O.C., Villa Fidelia Bianco I.G.T., Villa Fidelia Rosso I.G.T
Lunch will follow at Il Frantoio in Assisi. The restaurant is housed in an old 17th century olive press with a garden terrace serving local specialties.
Afternoon visit of Assisi: The city, which is still within the confines of the old Roman wall has preserved most of its medieval buildings, and walking around its narrow streets is like stepping back in time. Frescoes by Giotto adorn the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi. The Cathedral of St. Rufino is built on a Roman cistern. And an imposing medieval castle, Rocca Maggiore, rises on top of the hill. Unesco declared Assisi a World Heritage site.
You will be driven to Todi to check-in at the Roccafiore Resort. This is a rich and comfortable rural farmhouse with a full view of the Todi hills. Gardens, vineyards and olive groves perfectly match the skyline of Todi’s medieval bell-towers and the beautiful landscape of the Martani Mountains. Sloping down from the pool one can contemplate the graceful lines of the Sangiovese and golden Moscato vineyards.
Each guest will receive a 30-minute full body massage in the spa.
Dinner at the Hotel: the Fiorfiore Restaurant blends homemade and refined cuisine based on the farm’s products (wine, oil, vegetables and legumes) and neighboring’ farm products (meat, cheese, truffles). Tasting of the Roccafiore wines: Rosso Sangiovese IGT, Roccafiore Grechetto.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Roccafiore Resort
Day 5: Todi
You will be met at your hotel by your local English-speaking guide for a ride to the Cantine Peppucci in Petroro di Todi. Housed in the 13th Century St Antimo Abbey, this very small winery is a family business run by the founder’s children, Elizabeth and Filippo. The abbey is considered one of the most fascinating architectural jewels of Medieval Umbria. The spectacular territory and the Peppucci’ family dedication to making high quality wines makes this a unique visit. Tasting: Petroro Red, Montorsolo Grechetto di Todi, Alter Ego Red.
Lunch at the Todini Winery in Collevalenza, Todi. The agritourism and winery are located in the heart of the Colli Martini next to Colli Perugini and the Sagrantino area. Wine tasting in the winery and then lunch in the luxurious agriturismo owned by Mr. Todini. The views are spectacular and so is the food.
Tasting: Rubro San Giovese, Bianco del Cavaliere ( Grechetto di Todi DOC), Tiaso Rosso IGT Umbria, Eteria Grechetto IGT Umbria and Nero della Cervara.
In the afternoon you will visit Todi, another medieval jewel. The Duomo built on the Roman Temple of Apollo, The Captain’s palace and the Prior’s Palace face the sloping main square, one of the most picturesque in Italy and regularly used as a film set.
Return to Relais Roccafiore and before dinner a visit to the Roccafiore Winery and Cellars or relax at the Roccafiore spa.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Roccafiore Resort
Day 6: Etruscan- Roman Wine Route- Orvieto
Today you will be met at your hotel by your local English-speaking guide for a ride on the Etruscan-Roman Wine Road.
The first visit is to the Falesco Winery in Montecchio. Owned by enologist brothers Enzo and Riccardo Cotarella the estate is home to great experimentation with old vines. This has resulted in great new wines among them the EST!EST!EST! Enologist Riccardo Cotarella introduces wines. Marciliano, Pesano, Vitiano Rose’ and Grechetto
Lunch at “Le Grotte del Funaro” in Orvieto. Dating from the 1100 this restaurant with a spectacular terrace serves Umbrian specialties. Wines: Dubini Winery: Ultima Spiaggia, Piviere San Donato
Afternoon: visit Orvieto. Orvieto is a medieval city built high up on a cliff. The defensive walls are built of the same stone so that the city rises like an impregnable monolith from the surrounding plain. It was a major center of Etruscan culture since the 7th century BC. A Papal residence since the Middle Ages it has striking monuments ranging from Etruscan ruins to its magnificent gothic Duomo and the spectacular Well of St Patrick.
Check-in at Locanda Palazzone, Orvieto.
Dinner at Locanda.
This Hotel and winery owned by Giovanni and Ludovico Dubini is a treat. Built like a town palazzo by a Cardinal in the 13th century it stands alone on top of a hill with spectacular views of Orvieto. It is now a converted farmhouse with 7 luxurious residences. Reds: Armaleo, Rubbio, whites: Terre Vineate, Campo del Guardiano. They are the only producers who age Orvieto.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Locanda Palazzone
Day 7: Orvieto
In the morning you can lounge around the pool or take strolls through the vineyards. Later in the morning you will be met at your hotel by your local English-speaking guide for a drive to The Winery of Decugnano dei Barbi.
Wine was grown on the Decugnano Hills since the 13th century. Claudio Barbi owns it since the 1960’s and his son Marco runs the company. Impressive caves have been excavated in lava rock to age the sparkling wine Decugnano Brut for which they are famous.
Tasting and lunch al fresco around the pool.
Wines Decugnano Rosso-Lago di Corbara DOC, Rosso Umbria IGT, Decugnano Pinot Nero – Lago di Corbara DOC, white: Orvieto Classico DOC, Bianco Umbria IGT.
After lunch your guide will take you to visit the winery Antinori’s Castello della Sala in Orvieto. The 1,000 acres estate has as its center a totally restored Medieval Castle built in the 14th Century, The Antinori's, giants among Italy’s wine producers bought the castle in the 1940s to take advantage of Umbria’s unique microclimate and to expand into whites. The castle’s tasting room feels like Henry the VIII could come in any time. Tasting: Cervaro della Sala, Muffato della Sala, e Pinot Nero.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Locanda Palazzone
Day 8: Montefalco
Today after checking out you will be met at your hotel by your local English-speaking guide for a trip on the Road of Sagrantino.
No more than 20 growers only make this wine in the Montefalco and Bevagna area.
Visit to the Arnaldo Caprai winery. Caprai in the 1970’s took the old Sagrantino, an ancient dessert wine and experimenting with the vine created the first Sagrantino red. Wines: Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG, Sagrantino di Montefalco Collepiano DOCG, Montefalco Rosso DOC
Lunch Enoteca Alchimista Montefalco: In the midst of Montefalco’s main square the Enoteca Alchimista is true to its name concocting fanciful flavors out of classic umbrian recipes. Wines: Caprai’s Anima Umbra, Bea’s Montefalco DOC Rosso.
Afternoon visit of the village of Montefalco and the St. Francis Church with its remarkable frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli.
And then another visit to an important grower: Paolo Bea . The family roots in Montefalco go back to the 1500’s.The small, still artisanal production focuses on high environmental standards and organic farming barring chemicals in the vineyard. Among its unique organic methods is the burying of globe artichokes under the vines to improve exhausted soil.
Tasting: Santa Chiara IGT bianco, Rosso de Veo, Montefalco Doc Rosso Riserva, Montefalco Docg Sagrantino Secco, Montefalfo Docg Sagrantino Passito.
Dinner at “Il Bacco Felice” Foligno. Owner Salvatore Denaro is a passionate proponent of growing your own food. His chickens, rabbits and pigs as well as his tomatoes and fava beans come from his farm. You do not order. He brings out whatever he has created for the day. A dictatorial chef well worth the surprise. The only place in which wines are not included in the dinner.
Your Hotel for the night is Villa Pambuffetti in Montefalco. This is a 19th Century family Villa under majestic trees turned into a 4 star resort.
Villa Pambuffeti
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Montefalco- Rome- Depart
Today you will be privately transferred to the Rome airport.
Breakfast
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