Umbria Wine Tour

Ultra-premium Umbrian wines are made here and after a tour of this graceful estate you will taste wines such as the Decugnano Bianco Orvieto Superiore DOC (made with Grechetto, Procanico, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc), the sparkling Decugnano Brut Metodo Tradizionale (Chardonnay, Verdello and Procanico blend), the Decugnano Pinto Nero Lago di Corbara DOC (100% Pinot Noir aged in barrique in natural caves before bottle ageing), their delicious sweetie Decugnano Pourriture Noble (Noble rot) dessert wine dominated by the Grechetto grape, and their flagship Decugnano Rosso “Il” Rosso Umbria IGT (blend of Sangiovese, Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Lunch will be at their elegant Relais (villa).

A wonderful, beautiful place to start your wine tour of Umbria! In the late afternoon, your driver will take you to the fairytale medieval village of Bevagna, your base for the next few nights. Relax and enjoy dinner on your own in the hamlet.

Enjoy some free time next to Perugia to check out the shops, take a stroll, have a coffee. You will notice many students here and in fact, Perugia is home to the Università per Stranieri (Italy’s biggest language school, attracting thousands of foreign students every year). Perugia is also home to Perugina (the eponymous chocolate “Baci” kisses) and the annual chocolate festival. Lunch will follow in Perugia’s “Centro Storico” (old town) at one of our favorite trattorias like the outstanding Antica Trattoria San Lorenzo where chef Simone Ciccotti creates traditional Umbrian cuisine with innovative touches such as his versions of Ravioli di Scampo (Ravioli stuffed with scampi), Cappelletti all’acqua di tartufo bianco (pasta with white truffle), and Tagliata di Bue Fassone in gremolata di tartufo (beef with black truffle).

After lunch, your next visit is to Assisi where Saint Francis of Assisi is buried in the monumental Basilica di San Francesco. With your own private art guide, you will tour this wonderful village, seeing Giotto’s frescoes in the basilica, as well as the Romanesque-Gothic San Pietro church and the Piazza del Comune. In the late afternoon, on your way back to Bevagna, you can stop in the perfect little medieval hamlet of Spello if you would like a little more sightseeing. Free evening.

The Scacciadiavoli wine estate is next, which colorfully translates as “Devil Banisher” and comes from an ancient legend of a 17th-century exorcism that took place here. Legend has it that a young woman was possessed by the devil and made to consume the local red wine, which effectively got rid of the devil. The town named itself after this event. Good 17th-century wine marketing? Perhaps, but a fun story at any rate. You will visit this historic estate and enjoy a tasting of their most famous wines including their excellent Sagrantino.

Lunch will follow in a really cute little trattoria in Montefalco run by the Brizi sisters, located in an ancient working olive oil mill. After a three course traditional Umbrian lunch, you will have some free time. We highly recommend a visit to the 14th century San Francesco church as the Renaissance fresco cycle by Benozzo Gozzoli is amazing. Explore the narrow, winding lanes of Montefalco to get some photos before heading next to the last winery of the day, Paolo Bea. This estate is considered to be the ultimate garage winery and makes cult wines for collectors. Enjoy a tasting of the organic wines that have made this estate so famous. Then tonight we have a full dinner planned for you at the atmospheric Redibis restaurant in Bevagna, with six creative dishes paired with top wines. Enjoy!

From Gubbio you will travel to Urbino (in the Marche region), but first stopping en route in Passo del Furlo di Acqualagna (home to the white truffle) for a superb lunch at one of our hidden gems, tasting the chef’s four-course menu (with white truffle, of course!) paired with Umbrian and Marche wines. The dining room is cozy, especially in colder weather like autumn, with its wood burning fireplace/grill. After a fantastic lunch, you will visit Urbino, one of Italy’s most elegant Renaissance towns. As there is so much to see, you will have a private art guide who will take you on a fascinating two-hour walking tour, taking in the highlights like the Disney-esque Palazzo Ducale and the marvelous Galleria Nazionale delle Marche. You will see some of Raphael’s paintings as he was born in Urbino and many of his Renaissance masterpieces are here. In the early evening, you will drive to the coast. For the next few nights, you will sleep in a Napoleonic fort, right on the sea with the graceful Conero Mountains nestled behind.

Enjoy a private tour and tasting with manager Alessandro Fenino, who will teach you all about their experimental vinification techniques in Amphorae and about the biodynamic viticulture they employ. Fascinating stuff, great visit, and super wines. Next up is La Distesa, an organic boutique estate making excellent wines. You will taste their Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore “Terre Silvate” and “Gli Eremi” along with the red Marche Rosso “Nocenzio” made with Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. You will be well ready for lunch by now and today we will organize a wonderful, traditional lunch at the revered, authentic “Anita” restaurant in Cupramontana.

After lunch, change gears and enjoy some spectacular natural scenery at the Frassasi caves. This extensive cave network is mind-boggling, and the 75-minute tour is something extraordinary. The motto here is “journey to the center of the earth”. With a guide, you will enjoy a walking tour of this underground world complete with theatrical lighting and running commentary. Well worth the visit and very memorable. Upon your late afternoon return to Ancona, you can stop in small, charming villages like Fabriano (which is famous for its artisan paper production), medieval Matelica and Cingoli (known as the “Balcony of Marche” for its great views). Relax at the hotel and get freshened up for dinner. Tonight we have a Michelin starred extravaganza at Madonnina del Pescatore, one of the best restaurants in Italy. A tasting menu paired with the best wines of Marche and Umbria will be waiting for you, this will be a gastronomic highlight of the tour. Buon appetito!

This afternoon you will learn about Giacomo Leopardi (1798-1837), Italy’s famous poet and philosopher. You will visit Leopardi’s ancestral home/museum in Recanati and the historic wine estate. Enjoy a stroll through the vines followed by a tasting of Leopardi’s wines. Then head back to Ancona for a free evening. We suggest an aperitif at Acrilico, a chic wine bar. Dinner on your own with our suggestions.

This afternoon you return to Umbria (Spoleto tonight), traveling through the outrageously scenic Monti Sibillini mountain range. Stop for a coffee and some photos in wonderful Castelluccio di Norcia, a hilltop town overlooking a flower-covered valley. In the late afternoon arrive to Spoleto, home to the “Two Worlds” annual arts and music festival. Check into your palace hotel and relax for the rest of the evening on your own. Your romantic room has high ceilings with ancient wooden beams and is full of antiques. The grounds are magnificent with manicured gardens offerings views of Spoleto, the valley and the mountains beyond. Enjoy some free time to explore Spoleto, a truly magical Umbrian town. Tonight then for your farewell dinner, we have a gourmet dinner waiting for you at one of Spoleto’s secret gems.