Autochthonous refers to a variety of grape from a specific terroir. In other words, a particular type of grape adapted to a specific soil and geography, as well as to tradition. Italy is one of the countries with the most autochthonous grapes in the world - and there are 545 registered varieties for making wine! Each one has its distinguishing quality and story. The Italian producers have started to revive these vines, some of which were almost extinct, and produce wines from them, just like the old times.
In this workshop, we will learn about some of these grapes, and their traditions – we will taste the wines, and meet the producers who make them. Printouts will be handed to help facilitate learning during lessons, wine will be tasted and there will be visits to wineries. Let’s dive into the wine world of Italy and see and taste why this country is so special!
Additionally, our workshop dates coincide with the annual Cantine Aperte festival, which is one of the most important wine events of the year! At the festival, the seasons new wines are unveiled and vineyards open their doors to all who are eager to taste the new vintage. It is the good fortune of this workshop that the event falls of the first day of our activities – and we will attend the event! It is an amazing celebration and will be a great way to kick off the workshop.
Throughout the week-long experience, participants will be housed in the remarkably well-preserved Umbrian hill town of Monte Castello di Vibio. The workshop package is all-inclusive, providing welcome and departure services and airport transfer from the Rome Fiumicino, Leonardo daVinci Airport (FCO). Aboard our comfortable private bus, single occupancy accommodations with spectacular views, 3 meals per day Monday-Thursday, Prosecco brunch and dinner on Saturday.
The workshop includes daily tastings and winery visits as well as lunch at a Michelin-recommended restaurant, Il Frantoio, in Assisi and other meals at noteworthy vineyards. Finally, our “off-campus” meals will include a dinner at the renowned Torre a Cona vineyard, where we will be treated to a tasting of their wines and an extraordinary 6-course dinner!
Of course, throughout your stay, 24/7 access to facilities and 24/7 bi-lingual support are provided.
Those who have time might also consider the adding the additional 4-day tour: Little-known Wines of Campania, June 4 – 7, which will commence at the end of this workshop.
Rowena Dumlao
Born in Manila, Philippines Rowena Dumlao, moved to Italy in 1999. Here she started the path to Italian gastronomy through creating the blog, Apron and Sneakers. Soon after, worked as a recipe writer for online sites like Honest Cooking Magazine, She Knows, Mode Media, Thanksgiving, Skinny Ms., A Luxury Travel Blog, and some food companies that needed recipes created with their products.
Her path to wine started in 2015 after attending some wine press tours in Eastern Europe. From 2015 to 2017, attended and passed the three-level sommelier course of Associazione Italiana Sommelier in Italy. From 2017 to 2018, took the French Wine Scholar course and passed the test in Avignon, France. In 2022, took a short course about Langhe Wines at the Barolo & Barbaresco Academy in Piedmont, Italy.
She wrote for China Wine News with regards to wine events in Italy from 2017 to 2019 and contributed to The New Filipino Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Around the World. She currently writing for her own sites, The Chosen Table, Apron and Sneakers about wines and restaurants in Italy.
