Tours
“The high point of running wine tours generally is the pleasure of showing people things that they would never see on their own.”
Caron Fanshawe
Book a Private Wine Tour
These itineraries are custom designed packages with all details completely organized, but with flexibility to allow spontaneity. Experiences designed for guests who want to immerse themselves in the culture and traditions of Italy. We plan unique accommodations, according to budget and taste, as well as chauffeured transportation.
To offer the most genuine Italian experience, there’s a selection of winery visits, historic sites, and culinary events . Participate in the local culture and traditions, try new foods, engage in unique activities of each region – hike a volcano, take a boat trip to an island, go truffle hunting – and gain an invaluable insight to Italian life.
Through the hilltop towns, quaint villages, farmers markets, and picturesque countryside, sample the important aspects of the Italian lifestyle – food and wine! Meet with winemakers and their families, as well as local artisans, to see these beautiful regions with their historic traditions.
Where We Go
Western Sicily and Mt Etna
“To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is not to have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything.”
“Discover the native grapes of Western Sicily in the ancient lands of Carthage. Relax on the sun-drenched Egadi Islands, wander evocative Greek temples at Selinunte, lunch at a timeless baglio farmhouse on the terrace overlooking the vineyard and visit the historic tonnara that processed the tuna catch, the Mattanza.
Learn how Marsala is made, enjoy the freshest fish, discover a centuries-old tradition of gelato and pastries unmatched in Italy Open a chilled bottle of wine and end every day watching the sun sink into the sea in a spectacular blaze of colors.
Montalcino and the Maremma
“Maybe money can’t buy happiness, but it can get you a nice little villa in Tuscany, and that’s close enough for me.”
The mountaintop town of Montalcino, legendary for its Brunello, is the medieval jewel of the Val d’Orcia. Visit famous name producers as well as talented small family vineyards to find out what makes this wine so special. From there, take the wine road less-traveled and head south towards the sea to the Maremma – visit magical hot springs in Saturnia, forgotten hamlets, the cave trails and tombs of the Etruscans and Pitigliano, ‘citta del tufo’, built straight out of the rock. A herd of sheep is about the only traffic jam you will see and you’ll find hearty Tuscan cuisine at its best. This is truly the authentic Tuscany.
Irpinia (Campania)
“Orchards, vineyards and olive groves embellish the landscape of this beautiful land, the abundance of which the Romans appreciated, calling it Campania Felix …And indeed it is from here that the Romans obtain their best wine.”
The King of Wines – Barolo and Barbaresco
“Barolo is the wine to make love on winter days, but these are things that only women understand.”
“Truffle is the food for kings, gods and pigs.”
In Piemonte, with the backdrop of the Alps, the meticulous landscape of Barolo and Barbaresco is the most mapped wine area in the country. Taste some of Italy’s greatest reds, visit medieval castles and indulge in amazing cuisine. If you are lucky enough to come in the late fall, it’s the season for the truffle market in Alba. Accompany a tartufai and his dog to learn truffle hunting first hand. A dish of the local handmade pasta, tajarin, served with butter and shaved white truffles ought to be on everyone’s bucket list.
A Sparkling Tour
“Dove regna il vino non regna il silenzio” (Where wine reigns, silence does not.)
From the Lambrusco of Modena to Trento’s Metodo Classico Spumante and over to Valdobbiadene’s UNESCO hills of Prosecco, take a week to discover a paradise of Italian bubbles. The Emilia Romagna region is a foodie heaven and the Christmas Market in Trento is a bonus in December. A mere two hours apart, it’s like visiting three different countries – for food, for wine, for architecture, even for language!
Under the Radar – Emilia Romagna
“If honeydew melons disappeared from the planet, would anyone even notice? We would just continue to eat Prosciutto like God intended us to.”
Where does the line in Italy converge for wine lovers, foodies of the highest level and fans of the most prestigious Italian automobiles? In Modena, of course! The epicenter of sparkling Lambrusco, one of Italy’s oldest native grapes; Ferrari, Lamborghini & Maserati – the trifecta of the automotive world; and home to one of the most famous restaurants in the world, Osteria Francescana. The food is beyond divine…rich egg pastas, prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiana cheese, Balsamic vinegar, Arborio rice. Accompanied by a wine that matches the national personality of Italy – joyous, exuberant, unique. What’s not to love!
Rome – Caput Mundi
“Yes, I have finally arrived to this Capital of the World! I now see all the dreams of my youth coming to life… Only in Rome is it possible to understand Rome.”
We offer 1-3 day tours to the wine regions of Frascati, Piglio and Olevano Romano. These tours could be a perfect add-on to a vacation to the Eternal City! Visit the wine regions so prized by the ancient Romans. Get to know the indigenous grapes of these nearby vineyards and experience these places so few tourists discover.
“When in Rome…” Would you like to learn the difference between a Brunello and a Barolo? A Gavi and a Garganega? We can schedule custom tours of the wine bars of Rome, a private class with a sommelier or wine dinners, by appointment.
Amarone and Valpolicella
“Vallis Polys Cellae’
“It’s impossible to bring Juliet’s Balcony in Verona to New York, but we can bring a bottle of Amarone. Through the juice of the grapes we can encapsulate in a bottle the romance, the culture, the story of a people.”
It is thought that the ancient Romans called this place valleys (vallis) with many (polys) cellars (cellae) and it still lives up to its name. If a trip to Venice is on the travel list, don’t forget the wine region just to the west centered around the city of Verona. In the hills to the north, Amarone is the star of the show here, with Valpolicella as the co-star! A dry red blended wine, made passito style from air dried grapes, Amarone is one of Italy’s big four. For white wine fans, a visit to the medieval town of Soave, with its volcanic soils, is a must. The Roman Arena in Verona is one of the oldest and best preserved in Italy, attesting to the city’s importance to the Empire.
Experiences designed for our clients who want to immerse themselves in the culture and traditions of Italy. Custom designed itineraries with all details completely organized but with flexibility to allow spontaneity. We offer a selection of winery visits, historic sites, and culinary events that offer the most genuine Italian experience for our guests. Participate in the local culture and traditions, try new foods, engage in unique activities of each region, and gain an invaluable understanding and personal insight to Italian life.
Through the hilltop towns, quaint villages, farmers markets, and picturesque countryside, sample some of the most important aspects of the Italian lifestyle – food and wine! Meet with winemakers, their families, and local artisans, to see these beautiful regions.
For your private tour to the Italian wine regions, please email us at: info@vino-talia.com
Learn more about the 20 wine regions, dessert wines or a tour of Italy with the Spritz, the national summer drink. Check out our latest blog!