Abruzzo: Colline teramane and Gran Sasso
After passing the massif of Gran Sasso, you leave Teramo behind and it is only if you look back that you will understand the strength of this area of Abruzzo. Here the Apennines with the Corno Grande and the Corno Piccolo reach their highest peaks. The wild and snowy peaks proudly overlook the land, harsh, difficult, where man has had to defeat the rock to dig his churches, his convents, his houses. The villages preserve intact medieval alleys, white stone steps, wrought iron railings. Sometimes there is a portico with pillars, ancient stables, terraces of old fortresses that are apparently impregnable. Local customs are honored by 3000 years of viticulture, in the early days under the influence of the Etruscans and Picenes, who allowed the grapes to take root in the soil and the soil rooted in them.
The closer you get to the sea the territory becomes more gentle, soft, merging with the Teramo hills, where the soil breathes, not only the mountain air, also that of the nearby Adriatic Sea. We are just a few steps from the Marche, where, on mostly chalky and clayey soils, the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, a native vine, reaches the highest degree of finesse and complexity so as to deserve the only DOCG of the region: the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Hills Teramane Docg. And where the white wines produced with Trebbiano d’Abruzzo and Pecorino also give excellent results.
Day one
Arrival at meeting point in Rome airport and transfer by minibus to Abruzzo. Arrival at 14.30 at a country house, check-in. Visit the town of Torano Nuovo and Controguerra and visit cellar no 1. Return to the country house and participate in Wine lesson no. 1 with our professional sommelier , covering the history of wine and its cultural importance, the main vines of Abruzzo, wine cultivation techniques, the correct glasses to use, tasting of 3 wines. Dinner in a local restaurant.
DAY TWO
After breakfast transfer to Assergi and visit to the Gran Sasso mountain. Trekking session on the Prati di Tivo in the woods surrounded by the uncontimanted flora of the National park of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga. Return to the country House. Wine lesson no. 2 (how to smell wine, typical scents of white and red wines, how to sharpen your senses, identifying aroma and bouquet). Visit secret cellar no.1 with guided tasting. Dinner in a local restaurant. In the evening if requested visit to the seaside city of San Benedetto del Tronto, with the possibility of renting a bike on the seafront
DAY THREE
After breakfast Visit to Civitella Del Tronto and its majestic fortress one of the most important military engineering works in all Europe. Lunch.
Wine lesson no.3 (tasting wine, the senses of tasting, the link beetwen wine and territory). Visit no. 3 to one of our secret cellars. Wine tasting. Return to Rome.
Before breakfast, our more energetic guests are welcome to join us on a 40 minutes slow jog among olive groves and vineyards.
The tour requires a minimum of 8 participants.
Highlights
- Trekking on the Appenine mountains, on the Gran Sasso, snow-covered all year round.
- Visit Civitella del Tronto with its old fort and musem.
- Enjoy a few hours on the Adriatic sea in San Benedetto Del Tronto.
- Taste the powerful red Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo Docg. Try the rosè Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, perfect with fish or white meat.
- Visit the cellar of Emidio Pepe, the only italian winemaker who has his wines on the wine lists of all eight three-star Michelin restaurants in New York.
- Follow the lessons of our professional sommeliers.
Prices
Ask for a quote for this tour. Our proposal includes: transport from Rome to Abruzzo, local transport.
2 night in a Country house with breakfast (in double room). 2 suppers (not including drinks).
3 lessons with our sommelier.
Professional guided tours to historical and artististic sites. Guided wine tasting in our selected cellars.
Prices are not inclusive of entrance tickets to musems, archeological/historic sites and other extras.
All lessons and tours are in English. Every member of group should arrange his own travel insurance against theft, loss and medical problems (we suggest Direct Travel or Alliance).