WINE ITINERARY DESIGN
Over the years, my travels have taken me across sun-drenched hillsides and into verdant valleys, visiting vineyards that define the heart and soul of Italy and Europe’s great wine regions. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to experience the stunning landscapes, rich traditions, and generous spirit of the people who bring these wines to life. It would be a true pleasure to help you discover these places—whether by guiding you in person or crafting a thoughtfully designed self-guided itinerary.
Prosecco + Venezia
While Prosecco production spans a broad swath of northeastern Italy, stretching across Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia, its historic heart lies in the undulating hills at the base of the Alps. The villages of Valdobbiadene and Conegliano anchor this core, home to Prosecco’s most prized terroirs. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, the landscape is a striking patchwork of steep, green slopes and dramatic vineyards nestled between the Alpine foothills and the shimmering Gulf of Venezia. Here, the Glera grape finds its truest voice, yielding the region’s finest wines at the hands of its most skilled producers.
Montalcino
The Val d’Orcia, home to Montalcino, epitomizes the quintessential Italian landscape. Golden wheat fields, hilltop villages, vineyards, and iconic cypress groves combine to make this corner of southern Tuscany one of the world’s most breathtaking. Gentle, rolling hills stretch across the region—except for the prominent hill crowned by the village of Montalcino. Its slopes are blanketed with vineyards, olive groves, ancient oak forests, and fragrant Mediterranean herbs. While Sangiovese is Italy’s most widely planted red grape, it is here in Montalcino that it achieves its fullest expression—offering unparalleled complexity and aging potential.
Alsace
The uneven cobblestones and half-timbered houses nestled in the charming villages at the foot of the Vosges evoke scenes straight from a Grimm’s Fairy Tale. Stretching along the hills that run parallel to the Rhine River, the Alsace wine district is a mosaic of idyllic towns, ancient castles, verdant forests, and vineyard-covered slopes, punctuated by church spires rising above the pastoral landscape. With its wealth of indigenous grape varieties and passionate growers, Alsace stands as one of Europe’s most captivating wine regions.
Alto-Adige
Trentino-Alto Adige is one of Italy’s most visually striking regions, a tapestry of dense forests, alpine lakes, flowered meadows, jagged peaks, charming villages, and terraced vineyards. In the south, Trentino offers gentler elevations and a more distinctly Italian character, while Alto Adige to the north is defined by dramatic mountain landscapes and a strong Germanic heritage. Across both, vines thrive in storybook settings—often on steep, sun-drenched slopes—where a new generation of passionate winemakers is redefining the region’s wine identity.
Valpolicella Classica
The term "Classico" designates Valpolicella’s original vineyard zone, before the appellation expanded to cover a broader area north and east of Verona. While outstanding producers and wines emerge from all sub-regions, the Classico zone remains the region’s true benchmark. Here, the influence of nearby Lake Garda is most evident, shaping the climate and weather patterns that define this unique terroir. At the heart of Valpolicella Classico lie the three parallel valleys of Fumane, Marano, and Negrar—an idyllic landscape of cherry orchards, olive groves, and terraced vineyards.
Barolo
Barolo stands as one of the most revered names in the wine world, a symbol of Italian wine nobility and among the most stunning regions on earth. Here, Nebbiolo reaches its pinnacle, crafting some of the most coveted wines globally. Yet, despite its fame, Barolo can be a complex puzzle—its diverse altitudes, exposures, and soil types create a rich tapestry that’s not always easy to unravel. Still, Barolo’s allure extends beyond its celebrated wines; it captivates with its exceptional cuisine, storied history, and breathtaking scenery, making it an irresistible destination for any wine lover.
Côte d’Or
The Côte d’Or’s slender ribbon of land is arguably the most captivating wine region in the world. It is the birthplace of the terroir concept and home to some of the rarest and most coveted wines on the planet. Despite its renown, the Côte d’Or retains a quiet, rural charm. Traveling its gentle slopes offers not only an essential pilgrimage for any wine enthusiast but also a rich cultural journey through one of Europe’s most historic regions, celebrated for its exceptional culinary traditions.
Collio Goriziano
Nestled along the Slovenian border, the crescent-shaped Collio region benefits from an exceptional climate shaped by cool Alpine breezes and the warm Adriatic Sea. Renowned as one of Italy’s premier wine territories, Collio is celebrated for its distinctive native grape varieties and a vibrant community of innovative winemakers. This borderland boasts a rich cultural tapestry where Italian traditions intertwine with Austro-Hungarian and Slavic influences—reflected in its architecture, cuisine, winemaking methods, and local dialect—giving Collio a uniquely compelling identity.
Valpolicella + Soave
The eastern Valpolicella, an extension of the historic “Classica” zone, stretches north and east of Verona. Its eastern edge borders the quaint Soave region, marked by a striking medieval fortress that commands the landscape. Ancient defensive walls weave through vineyards, overlooking the tranquil village below. While Valpolicella is renowned for its red wines—anchored by Corvina—Soave is a bastion of white wine, where the Garganega grape captures the essence of its diverse terroirs, highlighting the distinct character of each sub-zone and cru.
Liguria
The vineyards of coastal Liguria cling to small clearings hewn from dense Mediterranean brush along the rugged shoreline. Cultivating grapes on these steep slopes that plunge directly into the turquoise sea is a bold and challenging pursuit. The vines grip the sheer cliffs, enduring relentless winds and a constant spray of salty sea mist. It’s no surprise that the region’s crisp, saline white wines pair exquisitely with the local cuisine. Savoring a glass of Pigato alongside a plate of Acciughe di Monterosso, with the sound of crashing waves as your soundtrack, is a truly unforgettable experience.
Lake Garda
Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, marks the northernmost edge of continental Europe where lemons thrive. For centuries, citrus cultivation has been a hallmark of the region’s character, alongside olive groves and vineyards. Several distinct wine districts encircle the lake’s southern shores. While these areas share similar landscapes, they differ markedly in grape varieties and wine styles. The unique microclimate created by the lake’s interaction with the nearby Alps provides ideal conditions, making Lake Garda’s wines a standout treasure in Italian winemaking.
Valtellina
Valtellina is Italy’s answer to France’s Côte-Rôtie—both regions are defined by vineyards clinging to steep, vertiginous slopes and a focus on a single grape variety that captures the essence of their unique terroirs. While Syrah reigns supreme in Côte-Rôtie, Nebbiolo holds undisputed dominance in Valtellina. Here, vines cling to the rocky, south-facing Alpine hillsides that trace the Adda River on its journey toward Lake Como. It’s a land of rugged beauty, where ancient stone terraces hold the steep slopes in place, and the dramatic forces of nature are translated with remarkable finesse through the subtle complexity of Nebbiolo.