Italian Travel - Italian Wine Merchants (IWM)

Trips

An Oenogastronomic Celebration
Featuring the Great Wines of Friuli Venezia-Giulia
and the San Daniele Prosciutto Festival "Aria di Festa"
June 26-July 2, 2010

Fruili is one of the most fascinating regions in Italy, home to some of the most memorable wine, food and scenery. This trip promises to take in everything--from the stunning wines of great producers like Josko Gravner, Movia and Jermann to the famed prosciutto of San Daniele--along with some truly breathtaking views.
Home base will be the Grand Hotel Entourage, a former 16th century Strassoldo palace, at the foot of the Alps. And while the trip will include a visit to San Daniele, home of world-renowned prosciutto, the fabled La Brunelde castle and a candle-light dinner, the main focus of the journey is wine.

Among the winemakers we will be visting are the Fantinels (credited as trailblazers in the promotion of Friuli wines), as well as Josko Gravner, famed for his biodynamic winemaking practices as well as the ancient practice of using clay amphorae. We'll also take a foray into Slovenia to visit Movia and Ales Kristianic, whose family has owned the estate since 1820. Ales will also be our host during a lunch of local Slovenian specialties perfectly paired with his groundbreaking wines. Back in Friuli we will also visit another great producer, Jermann, whose state-of-the-art winery was inaugurated in 2007.

Of course, a visit Friuli Venezia-Giulia would not be complete without a visit its southern Adriatic coastal area and the marvelous, historic city of Aquileia and a trip along the Adriatic coastline. (Aquileia was founded as a colony by the Romans in 180/181 BC.) Finally, our historical and oenogastronomic journey will conclude with a visit to the descendants of the Counts of Strassoldo who settled in Friuli prior to 1077. (The present-day Strassoldo family castle is a complex comprised of several palatial residences.) We will enjoy an aperitif in the castle gardens and end our trip with a special Friulian feast at a nearby country inn.

Alla salute and arrivederci in Friuli Venezia-Giulia con Italian Wine Merchants!

Program’s Daily Highlights

Accommodations: 6 Nights at the four-star Grand Hotel Entourage-Palazzo Strassoldo
Daily lunches and dinners including wines as chosen by Italian Wine Merchants
Winery visits and tastings
Guided tour of Gorizia, San Daniele and Aquileia
Fee acess to “Aria di Festa” in San Daniele
Private boat service in Grado
Services of an IWM Portfolio Manager
Services of a bilingual cultural attaché

Fall Program Fee: € 3,250 per person based on double occupancy. € 240 single supplement. Participation is limited. To reserve, or for additional information, please contact Anna Maria Sorrentino at (973) 467-4418.

Shop Wine and Dine reserves the right to make minor modifications/substitutions to the itinerary with activities/venues of similar value as those described on official itinerary description.

Italian Lifestyle