Wine4U’s First VIP Food and Wine Trip to Italy: An Unforgettable Adventure
Our first-ever Wine4U VIP Food and Wine trip to Italy (May 7-21, 2025) was a resounding success! I’m not sure we could have squeezed in one more great wine, bite of food, or memorable event! Over the course of 12 days, we toured 12 wineries, crafted our own vermouth, made pasta by hand, tasted incredible olive oil, chocolate, and balsamic vinegar, and visited famous spots like the Uffizi Museum, the Statue of David, and so much more. The wine regions we explored were as diverse as the flavors we experienced.
Let’s break it down!
Verona – The Start of Our Journey
We began in Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, and home to one of Italy’s most stunning, yet lesser-known coliseums. Settled by the Romans, the Colosseum now hosts operas and plays. Verona was a charming town with tons of restaurants, wine bars, and a food market featuring everything from spices and cheeses to porchetta, meats, and incredible prices on wine and chocolate.
On our first night, we had a group gathering to taste local wines, followed by a lovely walking tour. We visited Juliet’s balcony, weathered a torrential rainstorm, and enjoyed a fantastic welcome dinner at Maffei, complete with Amarone, sparkling wine (Franciacorta), and Ripasso. The meal was simply delicious and set the stage for what was to come!
Lugana Winery and Amarone Country
The next day started with a wine tasting at Podere Selva Capuzza, a winery specializing in Lugana – a Lombardy white wine, affectionately dubbed a “morning, noon, and night” wine. We also tasted sparkling and red wines while exploring their ancient 1700s church.
From there, we headed to Masi Winery in Amarone country. Amarone is made by drying grapes on bamboo racks before fermentation, giving the wine its rich, raisiny flavor. It’s a process that dates back centuries, and we learned how it was perfected to match the changing seasons.
More Wine and Food Adventures
Our third day took us to Cantine Buglioni for an Amarone wine tasting, followed by a “tour for our taste buds.” We indulged in risottos made with local ingredients like asparagus, red wine, and parmesan. We then visited the Canoso winery for a tasting of Soave wines – perfect for warm weather, soft and refreshing.
Venice – A City Like No Other
Next, we journeyed to Venice, where we enjoyed gondola rides, meandered through narrow streets, and savored amazing pasta in a pistachio sauce with warm burrata. We stayed at Hotel Saturnia, an elegant hotel we boated directly up to – no dragging suitcases through cobblestone streets!
Parmigiano Reggiano and Balsamic Vinegar Tastings
On Day 6, we took a morning water taxi to visit a Parmigiano Reggiano producer. The cows must graze in a specific area, and the milk is delivered to the coop within two hours – a fascinating process. From there, we traveled to Modena for a balsamic vinegar tour at Acetaia Sereni, where I had the best balsamic vinegar I’ve ever tasted.
Florence, Chianti Classico, and Brunello
In Florence, we toured the Uffizi Museum and the Statue of David, two experiences that brought tears to our eyes. We braved a hailstorm on the way to Montalcino for a Chianti Classico tasting at Felsina, followed by dinner at Café Zaza, where I highly recommend the gelato shop next door!
We also enjoyed a wine and olive oil tasting at Enoteca Alessi before visiting Tenuta di Collosorbo for a stunning Brunello tasting. The Brunello wines were so good, I could only bring seven bottles home!
Cinque Terre – A Perfect Day on the Mediterranean
One of my favorite days was in Cinque Terre, where we took a boat trip along the Mediterranean coast. We had the most beautiful weather and ended up sipping prosecco in the Mediterranean. Then, we had lunch in La Spezia, where the fried anchovies with lemon and olive oil were a highlight!
Piedmont – Barbaresco and Barolo Wines
Our final days took us to Piedmont, where we visited La Spinetta winery, known for its stunning Barbaresco and Barolo wines. We also enjoyed a deeply emotional lunch at Buon Padre in Barolo, where we tasted pasta made by the same family for over 50 years. The cellar, still filled with wine barrels, offered an intimate setting for a small private tasting.
Turin – The Perfect Ending
Our last stop was Turin, where we enjoyed a chocolate tasting with Domori and learned about the discovery of the Crillo cacao bean. Then, we took a Vermouth-making class with Fulvio Piccinino and explored the beautiful city.
We wrapped up the trip with a fabulous meal at Tartuffo, where I had one of the best dishes of the entire journey – bacon fettuccine alfredo with white truffles.
A Memorable Farewell Dinner
Our farewell dinner was held at Osteria Murivecchi, a local favorite, and a perfect way to end a memorable trip.
This first Wine4U trip is officially in the books. It may be hard to top, but we’re already planning our next adventure to South America in October 2026! A huge thanks to Reggie Daigneault and ReggieWines.com for creating this amazing journey. Stay tuned for more information!