Wine Tour and Tasting at Countryside Winery near Rieti

Just beyond the hills of Rieti, a unique wine experience awaits—one that weaves together history, landscape, and flavor into a journey back to your roots. At the heart of this visit is a vineyard that stands as both a family legacy and a symbol of the quiet power of the land. Here, every step is steeped in memory, where shadows on the soil recall those who cultivated it generations before.

Your experience begins with a guided tour of vineyards nestled between the Rieti basin and the slopes of Monte Terminillo. These high-altitude vineyards, located at 610–650 meters above sea level, benefit from a perfect mix of sun exposure, mountain breezes, and ancient soils rich in minerals and organic matter. The result? Grapes that thrive without the use of chemical herbicides or synthetic fertilizers, nurtured instead through sustainable practices like cover cropping and manual labor.

As you walk among rows of organically cultivated vines, you'll learn how each parcel has been carefully matched with grape varieties best suited to the microclimate and soil type. The vineyards are treated like gardens—hand-tended and biodiverse—designed not only to produce exceptional fruit but to respect and regenerate the land that supports them.

The tour continues in the historic cellar, a space that has preserved the area's winemaking legacy since the 15th century. Recently restored, these underground rooms still house the stone vats once used for pressing and fermenting grapes. Today, they serve as a quiet, ideal environment for aging sparkling wine using the traditional method, where second fermentation occurs directly in bottle under naturally cool and stable conditions.

You’ll also step into the aging cellar, where wines rest in large oak casks, developing character and depth. Here, you’ll hear about the rediscovery and preservation of a nearly lost indigenous grape—the Cesanese of Castelfranco. Officially recognized in 2017 as a distinct local variety, it is now the pride of the region, yielding a ruby-red wine with notes of wild berries, cocoa, and black pepper.

After exploring the cellar, you'll be guided to a dedicated tasting space where the experience becomes fully sensory. You’ll enjoy four carefully selected wines, each paired with local cured meats crafted in-house. These pairings are designed to highlight the identity of each bottle while showcasing the culinary traditions of the area.

Throughout the tasting, your guide will share the story of the vineyard, the surrounding territory, and the people who brought this project to life—people committed to preserving history while embracing innovation and sustainability.

Whether you're a wine enthusiast or simply someone who loves authentic, grounded experiences, this journey offers a rare opportunity: to reconnect with the land, to taste the fruits of thoughtful cultivation, and to feel the centuries of life lived in every bottle.