Harvest has always been seen as a time of celebration in the countryside: the hard work, the cultivating sacrifices, all those efforts are finally paid off with the growth of grape and the festive time of wine making. Those scenes of girls with skirts to the knee pounding the grapes have become an Italian symbol and have given their significant contribution to many Italian cult movies. Men would be seen all over the vineyard carrying immense quantities of grapes with large baskets and pouring them into tanks. Afterwards grapes would be pressed down to obtain the first juice useful in the process of making wine. The day would end with rich meals enjoyed at the table and the young ones being amused just breathing the widespread joy in the air. Mechanization was still awaiting to happen, harvest was carried out by whole families, pressing grape with their very feet inside huge wooden vats with great result, as a delicate pressing done with feet does not stress grapes.
This tour is highly recommended for those who want to try a unique experience, while capturing the real essence of living as Roman families from the countryside.
The cellar is located inside the medieval “Borgo” village. It was built in the 12th century by digging into the tufa hills behind the Castello. In the thirties, while uncovering the connecting tunnel between the two caverns, two mammoth tusks were found here.
We will meet our somellier guide and take a brief walk in a private cellar and learn all the secrets of wine processing. We move to the restaurant for a taste of an Italian pre-dinner with a selection of regional cheese and cut meat and Roman-style dishes. Each course is paired with an elegant local wine selected by the chef and guide to enhance the flavors of both the food and wine.
After the meal, our experience ends with the return to Rome, bringing ancient Roman memories and flavors.
