Emilia-Romagna and Friuli, Italy Spring 2024

We LOVE to travel, but we have an even bigger soft spot for the unknown regions and back roads of Italy. While most people think of Tuscany and Piedmont when they think Italy, we love the lesser know regions with just as much soul and and panache.

So join Heathen Wine Tours for six days and nights to the culinary mecca of Italy, Emilia-Romagna and one of the greatest and misunderstood wine regions in Friuli. We'll spend time with some of the greatest wine families in both regions, who are making so much more than Pinot Grigio and Lambrusco!

Our time in Friuli will be spent with our friends and families at Scarbolo. We'll climb into the mountains to visit the greatest producers of a grape that was thought to be extinct at Ronchi di Cialla. We'll visit legends of the land at Marco Felluga and Jermann. Since we're so close to Slovenia, we'll head over to spend a day with our friends at Movia and an afternoon in some of the most beautiful villages. 

Our time in Emilia will be spent with the greatest 3 wine producers in the region, Lini, Cleto Chiarli and Saetti. But of course, we would be remiss to be in this area and not explore balsamic vinegar production. Visit the greatest Prosciutto producer in the world and get down and dirty with Parmesan cheese. We will use all of the senses as we explore the greatest fermentation and culinary traditions in the country!!!!

What Heathen wine tour would be complete without our own private bus and driver? Or would be even be on a Heathen Experience without our own private resorts and villa's hidden away in the vineyards?

Our week will start with pick up at the Venice airport on Sunday afternoon, and end with drop off at the Venice airport Saturday afternoon.

Agenda includes

Cooking class and dinner with the Ms. Alicia Lini of Lini Winery

Prosciutto class with world renown D'Osvaldo Prosciutti

Balsamic blending class with Italy's leading vinegar producer in Modena

Cellar tour and back vintage tasting with Mattia Scarbolo of Scarbolo Winery

Cellar tour and lunch at Movia Winery with owner Mr. Ales Kristancic in Slovenia

Free time in Slovenia and Bologna to dine, see sights, shop, etc...

Cellar Tour and lunch in the vineyards with Prosecco powerhouse Adami Vineyards

Cellar Tour and tasting in the vineyards with Ronchi di Cialla

Cellar Tour and lunch with Cleto Chiarli Vineyards

And many more surprises, tastings and of course the most scenic vineyards and villages in the country.

We will have our own bus/driver for the week. Pick up and drop off will be from the Venice airport.

Sunday, May 26th at 1:30PM to head to Villa in Moruzzo. After check in at our home for the next 3 days, we will have a private tour of the property/wine cellar followed by dinner overlooking the pool and vines. 

Monday, May 27th Morning starts with a delicious, traditional European breakfast featuring local breads, eggs, cheese, charcuterie, fruits, juices, coffee and yogurt all served in the villa. Our first stop this morning will be to Scarbolo to meet owner Mr. Mattia Scarbolo. This family run, organic winery in the Friuli is cutting edge in their thinking and winemaking. With one foot buried in tradition, yet an eye towards the future we'll be wooed with fresh whites and velvety soft reds. After lunch with Mattia we head to the Unesco World Heritage sights to find more world class wines with the Ronche di Cialla family. Our afternoon will feature a tasting focused on the origins of Cialla wines, and what makes this a lifelong passion for this family. In the evening we will stop in the quaint village of  Cividale for sights, shopping and dinner on your own. After we will return to Villa for the night.

Tuesday, May 28th starts with another great breakfast at the villa. That morning we are in for a huge treat as we will meet Mr. D'Osvaldo, leading producer of Prosciutto. We will taste and tour, before heading to the Slovenia to visit Movia. After lunch we meet our friend Ed Simcic and our afternoon will be filled with laughs, great wine and world class scenery in Slovenia. After our tasting we head to a renovated farmhouse for a world class private dinner, prepared by their Chef with local produce from the farm. Of course, we end the evening with a return to Villa for our last evening before departing to Emilia.

Wednesday, May 29th after another fantastic breakfast we check out and head South. No one likes a bus ride without something to break up the drive. So what better way to break up the trip to Emilia than a visit with old friend Adami, leader for years in Prosecco production? A cellar tour and lunch with the winemaker all whipped up by Nonna!  After a short ride we'll arrive in the scenic vineyards of Bologna and our home for the next 3 days. After a tour of the historic property, we'll head to the cellar for a tasting, followed by a traditional dinner with the family.

Thursday, May 30rd starts the morning with local breakfast in the resort. After, we head to our friends in Modena for a Balsamic tasting and tour of some of the most revered vinegars in the world. We'll meet with the owner to learn about his families story, and the importance of vineyards to his wines. Following a short walk in the village we'll lunch at Cleto Chiarli overlooking vineyards. Chiarli is one of the best wineries in the region, with their fresh take on local cuisine and Nonna's traditional cooking. That afternoon we head to Saetti, to taste current and older releases with the highly revered winery. That evening we head to the village of Bologna where you'll have time to see the local sites, shop, grab dinner and drinks on your own.

Friday, May 31st begins with our favorite local breakfast in the resort. Our first outing is off to explore Parmesan production with a local cheese monger. Our next stop will be with Alicia Lini, and a grand tour of the property and tasting. Our friend, and all around awesome lady Ms. Alicia Lini is proprietor, and one of 3 siblings who run the winery, restaurant and cooking school. We'll make pasta with her Chef, served with cheese from our morning outing, all paired with wines from Lini.

Saturday, April 1st doesn't have to be a sad day. We'll finish with one more great breakfast in the resort. The group will depart for a 2 hour voyage to the Venice airport. Here we'll say our good byes to our new best friends by noon.

All rooms, ground transport, tastings, meals (other than 2 nights on your own), visits, tours included.

Airfare and time on your own not included. We have 12 seats for this once in a lifetime experience.

Please note a 3% additional charge will be added to all credit card purchases.

RSVP to hold your spot http://www.heathenwine.com

All in all we will visit over 8 world class wineries, have cooking, cheese and charcuterie classes and visit some of the most storied places and people in Italy. 

Single occupancy (all inclusive other than two dinners and airfare) $4500 per person

Double occupancy (all inclusive other than two dinners and airfare) $4095 per person