Sunset tastings, vineyard picnics, a new bistro, and the rediscovery of the Kaolin Caves: the Estate kicks off the season with an immersive and sustainable offering in the heart of the Aeolian Islands.

Experiences, tastings, the offerings of Castellaro Bistrot, visits to the Kaolin Caves, and the opportunity to enjoy the Wine Resort: set against an unparalleled backdrop, Tenuta di Castellaro is a unique place, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy the rolling hills overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and the age-old atmosphere of the volcanic soil. The new wine tourism season boasts an even richer and more diverse offering. A journey through distinctive wines, pristine nature, contemporary cuisine, and geology, designed for those seeking an authentic, immersive experience in the Aeolian Islands.

The Estate’s philosophy is rooted in a profound and conscious vision of the land, which is expressed through the many experiences offered to visitors. Everything begins with the land: organically farmed vineyards, following the principles of heroic and sustainable viticulture, express the soul of the island through wines that express its purity.

“Ours is a cultural challenge ,” say Massimo Lentsch and Barbara Manzotti of Tenuta di Castellaro. ” We believe that wine should be the living story of a place and the people who inhabit it. For this reason, each of our projects is born with the aim of enhancing the extraordinary landscape, geology, and human richness of the Aeolian Islands. Offering an authentic experience that combines beauty and awareness is the meaning of our work.”

Tastings, available daily by reservation, take place in a breathtaking landscape, suspended between vineyards, sea, and sky. Among the most popular options is the Vineyard Picnic , a relaxed and evocative experience culminating in a basket filled with typical products to enjoy outdoors after a stroll through the vineyards. When the sun begins to set and the horizon turns pink and gold, the Sunset Picnic becomes a moment of pure poetry, made even more magical by the view of Alicudi, Filicudi, and Salina.

For those who want a more structured formula, “ Brindisi al sole ” combines a guided tour of the cellar with a tasting at sunset: four selected wines, served with gastronomic specialities, including crostini with organic caper pâté from the Estate, designed to enhance their aromas and nuances, in the warm and enveloping light of the Aeolian twilight, ending on a sweet note with Malvasia delle Lipari DOC passita and typical sesame biscuits.

The tasting experiences offered vary in structure and content. ” L’Isola nel Bicchiere ” (The Island in a Glass) is the ideal experience for those new to local production: an introductory tasting of three iconic labels—Bianco Porticello, Rosa Caolino, and Ypsilon Rosso IGT—accompanied by local products. ” I Classici” (The Classics ) offers a journey through the company’s historic wines, such as Bianco Pomice, Nero Ossidiana, and Malvasia delle Lipari Passita DOC, paired with select appetizers from the Bistrot. Finally, ” Gli Autoctoni ” (The Natives) is designed for the more curious palates who want to discover Malvasia and Corinto Nero, varieties closely tied to the island’s agricultural identity.

Further enhancing the 2025 offering is the launch of the Castellaro Bistrot , a culinary project designed by Giacomo Caravello , a Sicilian chef with extensive experience in Michelin-starred restaurants and a gastronomic vision rooted in the region. The Bistrot, open for both lunch and dinner, offers a menu that combines Mediterranean simplicity with contemporary techniques. At lunchtime, a light lunch features key ingredients such as capers, tomatoes, blue fish, and seasonal vegetables, while in the evening the menu expands to include more varied options, inspired by the biodiversity of the Aeolian Islands and the elegance of its wines. All this takes place in a simple architectural setting that blends seamlessly with the landscape, the result of the work of Dalpiaz Giannetti Architekten and Luigi Radici , who have successfully translated Lipari’s volcanic identity into contemporary forms.

The commitment to enhancing the area is also evident on the environmental and cultural fronts. Just minutes from the winery are the fascinating Caolino Caves , a former quarry site transformed into a geological park and museum thanks to a redevelopment project supported by the company itself . Here, you can embark on a three-hour trek through a lunar landscape, past inactive craters, ancient fumaroles, pyroclastic flows, and geological stratifications that reveal over 125,000 years of volcanic and mining history. The quarries are open to the public and offer a unique opportunity to connect with the island’s profound history, thanks in part to the signage and themed itineraries provided by Tenuta di Castellaro.

Each experience is available by reservation, writing to booking@tenutadicastellaro.it or calling 39 345 4342755 .

Completing the sensory and immersive experience is the Castellaro Wine Resort : an exclusive place dedicated to hospitality, designed to welcome guests in an environment poised between understated elegance, contemporary comfort, and volcanic nature. The suites, nestled in the vineyard landscape and designed in harmony with the underground architecture of the winery, offer a unique stay in the heart of the island, overlooking the sea and the vineyards.

With this integrated, multisensory experience, spanning from the glass to the volcano, from the tasting to the landscape, Tenuta di Castellaro confirms its position as one of the most dynamic and refined reference points for Italian food and wine tourism, and one of the most authentic voices of the new wine culture in the Mediterranean.

The historic Wine Fair, now in its 65th year, kicks off in Montefiascone, in the province of Viterbo. Officially presented with local authorities and producers last Saturday, July 26, the event is now underway.

From August 1st to 14th, the picturesque village on the shores of Europe’s largest volcanic lake will be transformed into an immense, sprawling stage where, amidst its views, streets, and squares, one of the most anticipated summer spectacles in Tuscia will come to life.

The festival has its roots in ancient times, in 1111 to be precise, when the German baron Giovanni Defuk, with an immoderate passion for good wine, was travelling to Rome and instructed his cupbearer Martino to mark the inns with the best wine with the word EST.

In Montefiascone he found a wine so good that he distinguished it with three ESTs.

Baron Defuk drank so much of it that he died. It was 1113.

In his memory and to thank him for the significant legacy he left to the town, Baron Defuk is still honored today in Montefiascone during the historical costume parade, the highlight of the Wine Fair celebrations.

This year the event will be held from August 1 to 14, 2025, with the ribbon-cutting and inauguration on Friday, August 1 at 9:00 pm.

Fourteen days of celebration with a rich and varied program ranging from tastings to live performances every evening, from a historical parade to theatrical performances and literary insights with Panorami, included in this year’s program.

Not just wine, then, but a multi-faceted event, featuring insights into winemaking, dance and painting performances, and cultural events, as well as major national musical guests.

The event is sponsored by the Lazio Region, the Province of Viterbo, and the Municipality of Montefiascone, in collaboration with ANCIT and Genius Music & Events, and involves local institutions, partners, and cultural organizations. The first to open the impressive program of live performances will be Hotel Supramonte, one of the most beloved and recognized tribute bands dedicated to Fabrizio De André, capable of bringing all the poetic and musical intensity of the great Faber to the stage.

With a refined sound, acoustic instruments, and faithful yet lively arrangements, Hotel Supramonte celebrates the work of one of the greatest Italian singer-songwriters of all time. Their show is an emotional journey through De André’s most iconic songs—from La canzone di Marinella to Il pescatore, from Bocca di Rosa to Creuza de mä—enriched with narrative moments and atmospheres that touch the heart.

A sincere, elegant, and engaging tribute that will perfectly open the 2025 edition of the Montefiascone Wine Fair.

Meet at 9 pm in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, free admission.

On November 22nd and 23rd, tastings, masterclasses, and reflections on viticulture and the region will take place. The Mondial des Vins Extrêmes awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 22nd.

Heroic viticulture returns to the Aosta Valley with Vins Extrêmes 2025 , the international exhibition dedicated to wines produced in extreme environments. The event will be held on Saturday, November 22nd and Sunday, November 23rd in Bard (Aosta), from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm on both days. Organized by CERVIM – Center for Research, Studies, Safeguarding, Coordination and Promotion of Mountain Viticulture, together with the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the Autonomous Region of Valle d’Aosta , with the collaboration of the Chambre Valdôtaine and the Forte di Bard Association , the event was founded in 2017 to showcase wine production from heroic territories, such as mountain areas, small islands, slopes and terraces, where growing vines requires constant commitment. The event is aimed at industry professionals and enthusiasts, with a rich program that includes tastings, masterclasses, wine talks, and themed meetings. Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with the producers present and explore topics related to climate change, biodiversity, and the promotion of native grape varieties. The awards ceremony for the winners of the Mondial des Vins Extrêmes , the world’s only wine competition dedicated to heroic wines, will also be held on Saturday, November 22nd. During the two days, it will also be possible to taste all the award-winning wines of the 2025 edition. ​ ​“We are proud to return to Forte di Bard with an event that represents a benchmark for heroic viticulture, both nationally and internationally,” stated CERVIM President Nicola Abbrescia . “Vins Extrêmes is much more than a festival: it is a moment of gathering and discussion where winemakers, institutions, and industry experts develop a shared vision. Our goal is to give voice to productions that are sometimes small in quantity but deeply rooted in the territory, which contribute decisively to protecting biodiversity, the landscape, and the island and mountain winemaking culture.” ​ ​To access the event, you must purchase a glass and its pouch, which entitles you to tastings of the wines of the participating wineries and the winners of the Mondial des Vins Extrêmes . Tickets cost €25 for a single day and €40 for both days. By presenting a valid membership card, AIS, FISAR, ONAV and Slow Food members can benefit from discounts : 20 euros for a day’s entry and 35 for both days.

Summer lights up with the authentic flavors of the region, combining Etruscan tradition with contemporary mixology: this tasting itinerary is curated by Umbria Top, the cooperative of Umbrian wineries.

Umbria confirms its role as a key player in the Italian summer with a fresh, innovative, and exciting wine selection.

Umbria Top , the cooperative of Umbrian wineries, presents a journey through the region’s most authentic flavors, where winemaking tradition meets the creativity of mixology. From elegant rosés to Umbrian vermouths to surprising wine-only cocktails —without the addition of spirits—Italy’s green heart is preparing to toast in style.

Umbrian rosé wines are a refined expression of the terroir, thanks to select grapes that bring freshness and delicacy to the palate. They are distinguished by a fruity and lively character, perfect for accompanying summer dishes and convivial moments. The combination of the temperate climate and mineral-rich soils gives these rosés a harmonious balance and elegant aromas. They are versatile wines, ideal for those seeking lightness without sacrificing aromatic complexity.

Vermouth production is also receiving significant attention: companies like Antonelli, Briziarelli, and Raina are reinterpreting this ancient flavored beverage with a regional twist. Umbrian vermouths are made with local wine and wild botanicals, ideal for enjoying on their own or as a base for natural and sophisticated cocktails. Other local companies are also developing projects dedicated to vermouth production, a sign of growing interest in this winemaking excellence reinterpreted with a local twist.

At the heart of Umbria’s summer offerings is a desire to innovate through wine: not just to be tasted, but also to be experienced as the main ingredient in light, aromatic, and sustainable cocktails. Far from traditional high-proof drinks, these cocktails are designed to showcase Umbria’s native grape varieties , pairing them with spices, fruit, and Mediterranean aromas.

Among the most representative cocktails:

Apple & Pink Julep – 100g of rosé (like Dievole Rosato, its inspiration), apple juice, and fresh mint. A balanced and refreshing blend, perfect for an aperitif.

Vino Tonic – Dry white wine such as Grechetto and tonic water in equal parts, served with ice, lime, and rosemary. A refreshing and light Umbrian alternative to gin and tonic.

Umbrian White Wine Spritz – With a touch of elderflower, soda, and lemon, this cocktail exudes all the freshness of summer.

Frosé – A rosé made from Sangiovese chilled and blended with fresh strawberries, citrus fruits, and a teaspoon of sugar. A perfect alcoholic sorbet for warmer evenings.

Citrus Sangria – Rosso Divertimento IGT 2012 with grapefruit and lemon juice, sugar, and basil leaves. A Mediterranean twist on traditional sangria, all Umbrian.

Umbrian White Wine Mimosa – Sparkling Wine or Prosecco with Orange Juice: A light summer brunch in a single glass.

The inspiration also comes from afar: at Etruscan banquets, wine was enriched with water, honey, and spices, conceptually anticipating mixology itself. This philosophy is reflected in cocktails like the Umbrian Bellini (wine and peach juice) or citrusy reinterpretations with basil and lemon zest.

Umbria thus presents itself as a laboratory for wine and mixology experimentation , where wine becomes a vehicle for creativity, culture, and conviviality. A proposal that combines sustainability, moderation, and flavor, bringing a new way of drinking to Italian summer tables.
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UmbriaTop’s initiatives are part of the initiatives to promote certified Umbrian products promoted by the UmbriaTop Wines Cooperative as part of the CSR Umbria 2023-2027 measure – intervention SRG10 “Promotion of quality products”.