• Food & Wine

A toast to the vineyards and wineries of Lombardy

Autumn has come to Lombardy! Leaves of every shade and colour brighten the city squares, pavements and parks as the air becomes crisp and the countryside welcomes the first mist of the season. 

 

In Lombardy's vineyards, where the harvest began at the end of summer, the majority of the work is already done, but between late September and the end of October the region's calendar is packed with must-see wine events and festivals offering aficionados a good glass of wine and much more. 

The doors of Lombard vineyards and wineries are wide open to tourists and visitors. Experience the last magical moments of the grape harvest, and create unforgettable memories among the vineyard's rows and barrels.

What are the best places to spend a weekend immersed in the lush natural setting of Lombardy's vineyards? Their ideal climate makes them the region's most prestigious grape-growing districts: we're talking, of course, about Oltrepò Pavese, the Valtellina and Franciacorta. Their excellent produce has contributed greatly to the global renown of Italian winemaking. But rest assured that wine events are popular throughout the region. Here are a few suggestions to help you in your choice.

 

"Cantine Aperte in Vendemmia": the enchanting experience of the grape harvest
Wine is the sole star of this exclusive event dedicated to unveiling the secrets of the delicious grape nectar and the land it comes from. "Cantine Aperte in Vendemmia" is organized by the Movimento Turismo del Vino Lombardia (the Lombardy Wine Tourism Movement) and gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about the wines and history of local producers. 

The wine "factory" opens its doors to all, not only for an unforgettable toast in the vineyard, but to actively involve visitors in the sensational experience of grape harvesting and pressing. The event extends until the first weekend of October and involves the districts of Valcalepio, the Garda area (Valtenesi, Lugana) and the Morainic Hills near Mantua, San Colombano al Lambro and Oltrepò Pavese.

 

Meet producers of Pinot Noir from beyond the Po Valley in the old town of Voghera 
The Lombardy Wine Tourism Movement also invites wine-lovers to the second edition of 50 Shades of Pinot Noir, held in Voghera from 8th to 10th October. Make a booking on EnoNautilus and sample the produce of this world-renowned grape variety in the shops of Voghera's old town.

 

An autumn wine-tour in Pavia
Wine is the focus of this tour of seasonal flavours, one of the many initiatives of the project to promote Oltrepò Pavese's wine production (Chamber of Commerce of Pavia, Lombardy Region and Unioncamere Lombardia). The Autunno Pavese 2021 Wine Tour (booking required) will take visitors to a variety of wineries, restaurants and farms in Oltrepò Pavese, Lomellina and Pavese. Running until 31st October, the event offers tastings of local wines from Oltrepò Pavese, outdoor picnics and walks in the vineyard, visits to wineries, dinners with wine pairing, and more...

Take a stroll through the Buttafuoco vineyards
Founded by young winemakers from Oltrepò in 1996, the Buttafuoco Storico Club aims to promote the eponymous wine, known for "erupting in thick foam as it's poured", through events that have become a traditional fixture, such as "Scollinando with the Buttafuoco Storico". The event (strictly by reservation) takes place every weekend up until 31st October and involves member vineyards and wineries of the Pavia area, with guided tours, wine tastings and typical products. "Vendemmia in Famiglia" is another must-see: held on 10th October in the Poggio Alessi winery, people of all ages come together for the grape harvest and pressing, with a celebratory toast and snack. Lastly, we have "Yoga in the vineyard" on October 3rd - with a delicious apéritif at the end, of course! 

 

Wine & the City: San Colombano arrives in Milan
Here is our last suggestion, for those in Milan unable to fit in a trip out of town and anyone wishing to spend a weekend in the capital. From 29th September to 3rd October, Ride Milano in the Navigli district is hosting a 5-day event dedicated to San Colombano DOC wine and the produce of the "Collina del Milanese" PGI, with tastings and sales of the famous wines of the Lower Lodigiana hills. The San Colombano Wine Festival is organized by the San Colombano DOC Voluntary Consortium, founded more than 30 years ago by 18 producers, owners of as many local wineries.
 

On the same topic

What can I eat in Cremona?

The main courses of Cremona’s tradition
  • Food & Wine
What can I eat in Cremona?

Tripe a la Milanese Recipe

It is a second course based on meat and is ideal for lovers of ancient flavors
  • Food & Wine
Tripe a la Milanese recipe, how to prepare it

La schita dell’Oltrepò Pavese

A treasure of rural tradition
  • Food & Wine
La schita dell’Oltrepò Pavese

Culinary Ideas for Winter

Six gastronomic ideas to enjoy the typical traditional flavours of Lombardy, with convivial recipes and delicious tasting experiences
  • Food & Wine
Culinary Ideas for Winter

Local specialties in valtellina

A small area of ​​Lombardy with a rich gastronomic tradition
  • Food & Wine
Local specialties in Valtellina

The mantua pumpkin

From peel to seeds, pumpkin is a real "jolly" in the kitchen
  • Food & Wine
The Mantua pumpkin

Eating Lombardy

Lombardy shows its excellence with the unique and traditional flavors of each single territory, but it is also international cuisine
  • Food & Wine
Suggestions for eating in Lombardy: restaurants, international and local dishes

The shop of Fattorie Cremona

  • Food & Wine
The shop of Fattorie Cremona

Lake Garda, olives and lemon houses

Calm waters and mountains landscapes, olives and lemon houses, an exceptional extra virgin olive oil
  • Food & Wine
Sirmione, Garda lake

Bike riding along San Colombano’s Wine Route

Vini e prodotti della Pianura Padana. La Strada del Vino San Colombano è un percorso di eccellenze dalla storia centenaria
  • Food & Wine
Bike riding along San Colombano’s Wine Route

Cipolla Rossa di Breme

The Breme Red Onion has been documented since the 10th century, dating back to the foundation of the famous abbey, which in the following centuries became one of the most important in Europe.
  • Food & Wine
Cipolla rossa di Breme

Wine and Flavor Trail Valtellina

A scenic road through the terraced vineyards
  • Food & Wine
Strada vino e sapori Valtellina, percorriamola insieme

Polenta e Bruscitt Recipe

Typical dish of Lombardy made with polenta and stewed beef strips
  • Food & Wine
Polenta e Bruscitt recipe, a specialty from Busto Arsizio

Brescia Caviar

A surprise in the Po Valley
  • Food & Wine
Brescia caviar, a delicacy of the Po Valley

Lecco culture and flavour

Visiting Lecco? Well, you don’t need to worry about getting lost.
  • Food & Wine
Lecco cultura e sapori

Milan, capital of taste

From the skyscrapers to the fields of crops. Milan is a city of thousand cultures and its surrounding area a land of a thousand flavours
  • Food & Wine
Milan, capital of taste

Discover Lodi with traditional cuisine and produce

Chef Simone Virtuani and his secrets to making the perfect risotto
  • Food & Wine
Discover Lodi with traditional cuisine and produce

Brasadè di Staghiglione

Il Brasadè, ciambelline d’origine ottocentesca
  • Food & Wine
Brasadé di Staghiglione

Rassegna Gastronomica del Lodigiano

The flavours of tradition
  • Food & Wine
Rassegna Gastronomica del Lodigiano

Bresaola

One of the symbolic products of Valtellina, obtained through the method of preserving meat by salting and drying.
  • Food & Wine
Bresaola