3158 Umbrian Wine

Hi Everyone - my first posting.:o
We've visited Preci for at least one holiday a year fpr the last 10 years and just love it. On one of our first visits we went on a wine tour and visited two vineyards from which we've been glugging very happily ever since.
Sportoletti near Spello has gradually become world famous following a rave review by Robert Parker in the States. The premium product (Villa Fidelia Rosso) is a bit pricey but absolutely gorgeous especially when I have the self-control to keep it a couple of years. However the Rosso d'Assisi is modestly priced and very good from this friendly estate.
Just down the road on the outskirts of Montefalco is the Napolini vineyards. Another family business where young Mario finds time from looking after his SIX bambini to produce top notch Sagrantino di Montefalco and a lovely Rosso'de Montefalco.
Mario speaks good English and the Sportoletti brother employ English speaking assistants. Worth booking first.

Category
Eat & Drink

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/04/2006 - 17:49

Welcome to the forum bobwright :)

Thank you for posting about the wines in Sportoletti and Montefalco. I had a question about booking. Do you need to contact each winery separately, or does the wine tour cover both at the same time?

Thanks in advance!
John and Dee

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/05/2006 - 15:44

Yes you need to contact them separately but they are close enough together to do the same morning (possibly followed by lunch in Montelfalco!)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/05/2006 - 16:06

What advice can you give for anyone wanting to book tours at such a place (not just in Umbria ;))

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/05/2006 - 16:12

With Sportoletti and Napolini you could arrange a visit via their web sites. Sportoletti have English speaking staff in the office.
Otherwise in depends on how confident you are with Italian or making a leap of faith. Although I've not done it in Italy in France Tourist Information offices have always been very helpful in arranging visits to smaller vineyards.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/05/2006 - 16:26

bobwright, thanks for this; perhaps I asked the wrong question!

I've wanted to 'do' a vineyard visit for ages, but for one reason & another, have never managed to arrange it. I'm fascinated by everything about the process & would love to see things from vine to bottle!

So sorry, I should have asked my question in a slightly more pointed fashion:
[list]
[*]Where can I get a list of vineyards (irrespective of region)?
[*]How do I know which are any good?
[*]What should one look for when 'selecting' a visit?
[*]What does one experience when there
[/list]
...as for confidnece with the lingo, I find that a little [i]acqua vitae[/i] helps no end with my (assumed) linguistic abilities! :D

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/08/2006 - 14:17

Where can I get a list of vineyards (irrespective of region)?
Generally the Italian tourist office don't "package" up visits to smaller vineyards with leaflets etc. in the same way as they do in France. The best thing is to sample the local glug in a restaurant etc and then ask at the local tourist office if they can arrange a visit. Often they are not well signposted but once there you'll find it well worth the effort with enthusiastic and friendly owners. Sometimes antipasto appears to accompany your tasting.

How do I know which are any good?
Trial and error (but we've never had a bad one - done about 6 or 7)

What should one look for when 'selecting' a visit?
Only to buy a wine you like at farmgate prices.

What does one experience when there
Generally there will be a tasting area (at Sportoletti it is quite grand, others may be a farm outbuilding and a plastic table). If you ask it may be possible to see the production facilities and last time we were at Napolini Mario put us in his minibus and drove us round the vines. The best thing is to try it

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/08/2006 - 14:58

Tuscan Hills

Might I suggest some of the better guide books for Tuscany & Umbria & Frances Mayes book Under the Tuscan Sun, as she mentioned loads of them. I too want to visit the vineyards & I'm compiling a list. Also use the Slow Travel Forum where they give quite a bit of detail.

Hope this helps

Lavender Field