Roman Wine Odyssey
Italy
Chapter 3 of the Roman Wine Odyssey, Italia: 6 wine trails and 58 stops.
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Chapter 3: Italia
- Via Appia Wine Road The Via Appia was Rome's first and most important highway, stretching from Rome to Brindisi. Lined with vineyards, taverns, and tombs, it's a journey through the wines of Lazio and into Campania—from the Emperor's weekend wines to the legendary Falernian territory. 10 stops · 1–2 weeks · challenging
- Etruria Heritage Before Rome conquered Tuscany, the Etruscans were Italy's master winemakers. Rome absorbed and spread Etruscan wine knowledge across the empire. This adventure traces Tuscan wine DNA back 3,000 years—from Etruscan tombs to Super Tuscans. 10 stops · 1–2 weeks · challenging
- Cisalpine Gaul Northern Italy was "Cisalpine Gaul"—Gaul on this side of the Alps. Romans planted vines in the fog-shrouded hills of Piedmont and the thermal-influenced Veneto. Today these regions produce Barolo, Barbaresco, Amarone, and Prosecco—among Italy's greatest wines. 10 stops · 1–2 weeks · challenging
- Sicilia Antiqua Sicily was Greek before it was Roman. Mamertine wine from Messina was Julius Caesar's favorite. Mount Etna's volcanic wines have been made for 3,000 years. This adventure explores the island where Western wine culture began. 10 stops · 1–2 weeks · challenging
- Sardinia: Nuragic Wines Sardinia's wine culture predates even Rome — the Nuragic civilization made wine here 3,500 years ago. Rome conquered the island in 238 BC and expanded viticulture. Today's Cannonau (Grenache ancestor) and Carignano preserve ancient traditions on dramatic Mediterranean landscapes. 6 stops · 1 week · moderate
- Ager Falernus Falernian wine was Rome's equivalent of Romanée-Conti — the most prized, most expensive, and most aged wine in the ancient world. This pilgrimage traces the volcanic slopes of Monte Massico where Rome's First Growth was born, through frozen-in-time Pompeii, to the island retreats where emperors drank. 12 stops · 1–2 weeks · moderate