Italians, famously, love their food. And good food needs good wine. The sheer geographical length of Italy means that it’s blessed with a huge diversity of wines, from sparkling Prosecco to Super-Tuscan reds. This also means that the best wine hotels in Italy are not just restricted to one or two regions.
Some of our Italy wine hotel collections:
You could choose an Italian wine hotel near the shores of Lake Garda close to the Veneto region - home of Valpolicella and Prosecco - or in the coastal resorts of Sicily. Tuscany is perhaps the most famous wine region, particularly for Chianti and Sangiovese wines. The hills of Piedmont in the north-west are renowned for mighty reds such as Barolo while Puglia, down in Italy’s sun-baked south, has made significant improvements in its wine production, with wines such as Primitivo di Manduria. And then there are the sparkling wines of the Franciacorta wine route in Lombardy.
Use our guide to the best wine hotels in Italy to find familiar wine names, and make some new discoveries.
Everyone has heard of Chianti, even if they can’t place it on the map. And it does have one of the prime spots in Italy, stretching between glorious art-stuffed Florence and medieval-walled Siena. In between are a series of hill-top towns with names designed to seduce such as San Gimignano and Castellina in Chianti.
Just saying the word Tuscany immediately conjures up rolling hills, cypress-lined roads and red pantile roofs. Its signature red grape, Sangiovese, is responsible for the distinctive flavours of Montepulciano and Montalcino wines while Cabernet Sauvignon is the main grape variety of the so-called ‘Super-Tuscan’ red wines.
Tuscany has one of the biggest collections of wine hotels in Italy, which means there are heaps of places we could recommend; here are just a few, around Montepulciano and Montalcino, to whet your appetite.
The Veneto is smaller, geographically, than Italy’s other main wine-producing regions, yet produces more wine than any of them. The names to conjure with here are Valpolicella, Bardolino, Amarone, Soave and, of course, Prosecco.
Often called the ‘Burgundy of Italy’, the Piedmont region has more DOCGs (the highest classification of Italian wines) than any other Italian region. Just listening to these names - Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera d’Asti - and you begin to salivate. There are also the white truffles of Alba, too, to add to the gourmet mix.
Puglia, the long, sun-baked region in the south, is the King of Italy’s olive production. But grapes now run a close second. Although there are vineyards throughout the region, most people feel the ‘real’ Puglia is in the south, around Alberobello - and its curious trulli houses - Ostuni, Lecce and Otranto.
Emilia Romagna may not be Italy's best know wine region, but this is Lambrusco country where they also produce a large quantity of sparkling wines.
Wine-lovers generally head to Lombardy’s Franciacorta region - between Bergamo and Brescia - which produces Italy’s finest sparkling wine, Franciacorta DOCG, made according to Champagne methods.
Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, has long been known for its sweet wines such as Malvasia and Marsala. But these days quality table wines, such as those produced by Planeta and Franchetti, are gaining followers. The sweet wines are largely produced in the west while the mountain slopes and coastal plains of the east - particularly Mount Etna and around Siracusa and Noto - produce notable DOCs.
Unlike other European countries, in Italy there’s less preciousness around the business of wine drinking. This means that exploring the country’s vineyards, with our guide to the best wine hotels in Italy as your companion, is not fraught with the ‘correct’ way to do things. You can just focus on finding wines you thoroughly enjoy. If there's nothing amongst our Italian selection that fits the bill, take a look at our Ultimate guide to the best wine hotels in France.
Veneto
Welcoming country comfort for gourmets and oenophiles. Two restaurants with Michelin stars and extensive wine lists. Beautiful and elegantly decorated rooms, and a family annexe, painted in creams and pastel colours. A wonderful spot for exploring.
Lake Iseo
A very luxurious hotel that has almost made a religion out of wellbeing. A world-class spa and a kitchen operating under a chef named the ‘the Father of Modern Italian Cuisine’. A spa and gourmet break off the beaten track.
Galatina
Excellent value B&B in the centre of Galatina. A lovely yellow townhouse building with traditional rooms and suites. Vaulted meeting rooms, breakfast room, and art room.
Tuscany (Loc. Tornano)
A beautiful castle serenely perched on a hilltop. Traditional rooms and apartments, some in turrets, with oak floors, four poster beds, and magnificent valley views. Ideal for weddings, groups or family holidays.
Puglia
Graceful B&B near Sant'Oronzo Square in the centre of Lecce. Huge, light-filled bedrooms with sandstone walls feature parquet floors and elegant furniture. A great value spot, and family friendly too.
Veneto (Corrubbio)
Fantastic boutique hotel for the design conscious. Baroque furniture, fountains, landscaped gardens, contemporary art, Scandinavian furniture and Venetian chandeliers. Like something from Gatsby. There's also an excellent restaurant and spa.
Sicily
Wonderfully chic retreat on the slopes of Mount Etna. Rooms and suites blend contemporary design with original elements; glass walls and parquet floors complement stone walls and wooden beams. Cinema, games room, tennis, an excellent restaurant. Very romantic, gourmet and family friendly.
Sicily
A serene hillside hotel surrounded by olive groves in a remote setting above Noto. Bedrooms (plus some triples and quadruples) are perfect for families and groups, all decorated with contemporary elegance. Fabulous infinity pool and excellent restaurant. Close to beaches and sights nearby.
Bergamo
A famous restaurant with boutique rooms. Da Vittorio restaurant ranks as one of the best in the world and has been in the family for generations. Boutique rooms and suites have elegant furnishings. Excellent food, swimming pool and gardens, and extensive facilities for special occasions. Foodies!
Piedmont
A gorgeous Italian farmhouse still retained as a private residence with its own vineyards. Traditional rooms have stone walls, iron bedsteads, and antique furniture. Lovely gardens, buffets in the summer, and a pool to cool off in. The perfect spot to unwind in the tranquil countryside.
La Morra
A beautiful and authentic hotel in a former castle. Large rooms are filled with antiques and elegant furnishings. Traditional restaurant with sweeping views over stunning grounds. Lots of wine tasting in the region. A great choice for families or couples, especially those interested in wine.
Tuscany (Montalcino Siena)
An award-winning Tuscan boutique hotel with serious joie de vivre. A stunning 13th-century castle and wine estate with traditional romantic interiors, gourmet Tuscan cuisine, an enoteca, and heated pool. Luxurious rooms and suites have arched ceilings, four poster beds, and stunning views.
San Quirico d'Orcia (Podere Casabianca)
A lovely country house in the Tuscan hills. Rooms are minimalist with rustic touches of embroidery and antiques. Complete with working farm, cyprus trees and vine covered terraces. Outstanding Tuscan cuisine, bicycles available, secluded setting. A great choice for couples or families.
Tuscany
An outstanding hotel surrounded by vineyards. Romantic bedrooms have soft fabrics, four poster beds, and floor to ceiling windows. Michelin starred restaurant, a large wine cellar and bistro, pool and beautiful views over the vines. Dreamy, very relaxing, and romantic.
Veneto
A great little hotel in Prosecco country with boutique interiors. Rooms and suites are individually decorated with paintings on the walls, lots of rich fabrics, natural light, and private balconies. Set amid the vineyards and with a gourmet bistro and restaurant at its sister hotel next door.
Tuscany
A striking stone castle set in the Chianti hills offering a peaceful rural escape. Elegant rooms feature exposed stonework, beamed ceilings and antiques. The expansive grounds house a large pool and there's an indulgent spa to aid total relaxation. Best yet there's two good restaurants to pick from.
Veneto (Verona)
Peaceful country house hotel. Traditional rooms have stone floors, balconies and cream furnishings. Outdoor terrace and gardens. Excellent regional cuisine from locally sourced produce. Intimate, romantic and quiet.
Piedmont (Monforte d'Alba)
Lovely hotel in the hills with glorious views. Elegant rooms have either wooden beamed or frescoed ceilings, antique furniture and cream furnishings. Outdoor pool, gardens and sun terrace. Breakfast is served in glass dining room. Romantic and ideal for wine lovers.
Montepulciano (Tuscany)
After years of restoration current owners have returned this villa to its former glory. In 6 hectares of parkland it has rural views of the medieval town of Montepulciano. Exposed beams, terracotta floors and large windows feature in the rooms. There's a large pool & terrace. A rural idyll.
Palermo
Boutique hotel in the heart of Palermo, a short walk from the Politeama and Massimo theatres. Rooms have antique furnishings, marble floors, and vaulted ceilings giving an authentic, luxurious feel. A cozy Sicilian restaurant at the hotel and many bars on nearby streets. Ideal for work or pleasure.
Montichiari (Lombardy)
Charming B&B in the centre of mediaeval Montichiari. Three spacious rooms are all individually decorated and feature antiques which have been in the family for years! Expect a warm welcome and loads of activities from ping pong to cookery classes. A real Italian home from home.
Veneto
Contemporary luxuries, rustic Italian design and eco-development meet in this Manor House located in a vineyard in the northern Italian hills. Each room has an individual style influenced by the local region. Drink in the hotel's own wine and stunning views of the valley on your private patio.
Emilia Romagna (Emilia Romagna)
A stunning wine and balsamic vinegar estate in Emilia-Romagna's "Food Valley". Beautifully appointed rooms and suites are the perfect balance of modern design and period features; interiors ooze elegance and sophistication. Ristorante Limonaia serves fabulous farm-to-fork cuisine. Countryside chic.
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