Login

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Wine Hotels in Italy

Image by 445693 from Pixabay

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.

Wine hotels in Chianti

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.

Castello di Spaltenna

  • If your idea of an Italian wine hotel is a castello, you’re in the right region. Perched on a hilltop with magnificent 360-degree views, Castello di Tornano ticks all the right boxes: bedrooms in turrets, four-poster beds and beamed ceilings. There are even stables, should you choose to arrive on horseback.
  • Adding a modern spa and two swimming pools, Castello di Spaltenna also has the requisite thick walls and wooden rafters.
  • Equally charming, Palazzo Leopoldo is a hilltop hotel whose terrace restaurant has lovely views over the vineyards.

Wine hotels in Tuscany (excluding 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.

Il Rigo

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.

  • Overlooking Montepulciano, Villa Poggiano is a classic Tuscan country house with terracotta floors, exposed beams and refined furnishings. There’s a small pool plus cookery classes are on offer, too.
  • On a working farm near San Quirico d’Orcia, and with vine-covered terraces, Il Rigo combines a simple rusticity with family antiques and outstanding Tuscan food, much home-grown and organic.
  • If food is your thing, check out Il Patriarca near Chiusi with its Michelin-starred restaurant.
  • And if you want to splash out, Castello Banfi il Borgo is a 13th century castle surrounded by its own vineyards and boasts lush romantic bedrooms and a spa.

Wine hotels in the Veneto

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.

  • A lovely hideaway, surrounded by vineyards north of Verona, I Tamasotti has just six rooms, exposed beams, stone or wooden floors and a romantic gazebo.
  • Nearby Tenuta Le Cave has boldly designed rooms - from rustic-chic to vintage - a spa and its own vineyard.
  • For something completely over-the-top - fabulously design-conscious rooms, contemporary art on the walls and all hidden within a classic 16th-century exterior - check out Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amista between Verona and Lake Garda. Spa and gourmet restaurant, too.
  • Prosecco-lovers will head for Villa Abbazia in Follina near Conegliano, a luxurious and traditional country-house hotel with two restaurants, both Michelin-starred.
  • More modestly priced, but equally well-placed, Hotel dei Chiostri has crisp, boutique-style rooms with original paintings and private balconies

Wine hotels in Piedmont

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.

Villa Beccaris

  • For complete relaxation, and set amongst its own vineyards, La Casa in Collina near Canelli takes some beating. This beautiful farmhouse has just six, antique-filled rooms and a pool from which you can gaze over the vines.
  • Set amongst the vineyards of Verduno and Barbaresco, south west of Alba, Real Castello, as the name suggests, is the ‘real deal’: a 15th-century castle with vast, polished-floored rooms, painted wall-panels and sweeping views.
  • Nearby Villa Beccaris, is a softly furnished, romantic retreat with beamed and frescoed ceilings. Walks from the villa take you deep into vineyards and truffle country. There’s also a stunning glass-walled dining room.

Wine hotels in Puglia

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.

  • A great-value spot in the centre of Lecce, Palazzo Gorgoni has just four, simple but elegant - wooden floors, barrel-vaulted ceilings - light-filled rooms.
  • Next to the town’s Santa Croce, the Baroque façade of Palazzo Personé hides crisp, minimalist rooms and an atmospheric cellar wine bar.
  • South of Lecce, in Galatina, Palazzo Baldi is a homely townhouse B&B with traditional rooms with balconies overlooking rooftops, and a quiet courtyard.

Wine hotels in Emilia Romagna and Italy's "Food Valley"

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.

Roncolo 1888

  • Roncolo 1888 is a stunning wine and balsamic vinegar estate in the heart of the region's "Food Valley", close to both Parma and Modena. Beautifully appointed rooms and suites boast plenty of period features alongside chic contemporary styling; elegance and sophistication reign supreme! Foodies will not be disappointed by the fine-dining restaurant all accompanied by the wines and vinegars that are produced on site.

Wine hotels in Lombardy and the Franciacorta wine route

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.

  • Family-owned Relais da Vittorio, to the east of Bergamo, has soft, elegantly furnished rooms and one of the region’s finest restaurants. A definite ‘must’ for foodies!
  • Villa San Pietro, to the south of Brescia, is a wonderfully inviting B&B with brightly coloured rooms featuring raftered ceilings and family antiques. Breakfast beneath frescoes or in the quiet gazebo.
  • If you want to combine a luxury spa break with wine-tasting - and some of the region’s finest food - head to L’Albereta near Erbusco. This luxury hotel has the Espace Vitalite Henri Chenot wellbeing spa and is next door to the Bella Vista vineyards. L’Albereta’s chef, Gualtiero Marchesi, has been dubbed ‘the father of Modern Italian cuisine’.

Wine hotels in Sicily

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.

  • Within Palermo, Principe de Villafranca is a stylish, boutique hotel with parquet floors, cool white rooms and modern art. It’s close to many bars so you can pick up tips on your wine-tasting.
  • Across the island, on the slopes of Mount Etna, Monaci delle Terre Nere is a design junkies’ dream. Stone walls and wooden beams mix with shiny glass and bold contemporary furnishings. Lie by the pool and gaze up at Mount Etna, or at the vineyards fanning out below you to the coast.
  • And if you really want to get away from it all, try Masseria degli Ulivi, tucked into the hillsides above Noto and surrounded by olive groves. Bedrooms are simple, cool and serene, and there’s a beautiful infinity pool and open-sided dining room.

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.

  • Roncolo 1888 Quattro Castella, Emilia Romagna 17 rooms from €350

    Foodies  -  Perfect for foodies Roncolo 1888 is in the heart of "Food Valley" and very close to the famous Osteria Francescana in Modena
    Country Escape  -  A beautiful country escape in a carefully restored historic property. Chic rooms, great food and wine produced on site
    Wine tasting  -  Not only does the estate produce its own organic Lambrusco and sparkling wines, but also delicious balsamic vinegar
    Local exploring  -  Well located for exploring Emilia Romagna's Food Valley, plus Parma and Modena are easily accessible
    RestaurantSwimming PoolGardenParking

    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. See More

    Hotel Website
  • Castello di Tornano Gaiole in Chianti Siena, Tuscany 11 rooms from €155

    Weddings
    Groups
    Families
    Restaurant  -  Serving traditional Chianti cuisine and featuring vegetables grown in their own garden
    Air conditioningTennisRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenPet friendlyViewsParking
    Recommended by  -  I Escape

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • Castello di Spaltenna Gaiole In Chianti Siena, Tuscany 37 rooms from €219

    Foodies  -  Two restaurants offer the choice of informal or formal dining, the latter of which has been awarded one Michelin Star
    Families  -  Apartments sleep four and have their own kitchens, ideal for families wanting a little privacy
    Sights nearby  -  The church of San Sigismondo, Gaiole in Chianti Stadium, and Medieval Tower of Barbischio are all easily accessible
    Restaurant  -  There are various dining options from Michelin starred to Pizzeria!
    Air conditioningTennisSpaRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenViewsParking

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • Villa Poggiano Montepulciano (Tuscany) 14 rooms from €210

    Cooking classes  -  The hotel offers cooking classes so you can take home some of their local secrets.
    Local markets  -  If your stay falls on a Thursday head to Montepulciano’s vibrant market.
    Sights nearby  -  The impressive Cathedral of Pienza is well worth a visit.
    Great walks  -  Walk to the medieval town of Montepulciano.
    Air conditioningSwimming PoolGardenViewsParkingNo pets

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • Il Rigo San Quirico d'Orcia (Podere Casabianca) 13 rooms from €110

    Local exploring  -  Thermal baths in Bagno Vignoni (4km); walkable sights of Vileta Chapel and Pienza; San Quirico with 16th century gardens
    Foodies  -  Home grown organic produce from the farm, annual olive oil festival, nearby is home of Brunello di Montalcino wine
    Cooking classes  -  Within hotel kitchen, 1 or 4 day courses
    Sights nearby  -  Val d'Orcia's small hilltop villages
    RestaurantGardenPet friendlyDisabled accessViews
    Recommended by  -  Sawdays

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • Il Patriarca Chiusi Siena, Tuscany 22 rooms from €125

    Views  -  Stunning views over the vineyards.
    Foodies  -  Michelin star Tuscan cuisine.
    Romantic  -  Good for couples.
    Local markets  -  Good for local colour.
    Air conditioningRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenViewsParking

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • Castello Banfi il Borgo Tuscany 14 rooms from €420

    Foodies  -  Fantastic traditional Tuscan dishes and an Enoteca stocking wine from the 7000 acre wine estate.
    Good wine list  -  The castle has its own vineyard which produces award-winning wines.
    Romantic  -  Utterly romantic in location, decoration, and ambience.
    Views  -  Panoramic views of the hotel's vineyards around.
    Air conditioningRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenViews
    Recommended by  -  Kiwi Collection

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • I Tamasotti Mezzane, Veneto 6 rooms from €110

    Hideaway  -  Only 6 rooms, surrounded by vineyards, this is a peaceful break, with beautiful Verona a short drive, and plenty of cycle routes
    Great walks  -  Around nearby Lake Garda
    Sights nearby  -  Less than 20km to Verona
    Restrictions on children  -  Children over 5 welcome
    Air conditioningRestaurantGardenParkingNo pets

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • Tenuta Le Cave Verona, Veneto 13 rooms from €134

    Good wine list  -  Located in its own vineyard, Tenuta le Cave offers an array of its own and other local wines
    Full of character  -  The Horse Suite is decorated all things equine, with an old jumping frame for the bed and saddles for the bedside tables
    Spa  -  Including a salt cave, Turkish baths, a sauna, treatment rooms and a relaxation room
    Sights nearby  -  Historic and beautiful Milan, Verona and Venice are not too far to visit
    Air conditioningSpaRestaurantSwimming PoolGarden

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amista Verona, Veneto 60 rooms from €218

    Artworks  -  The hotel houses works by world famous contemporary artists
    5* Luxury  -  Very high service standards.
    Honeymoons
    Designer  -  Uniquely designed interiors.
    Air conditioningSpaRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenParking
    Recommended by  -  Tablet

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • Villa Abbazia Follina, Veneto 18 rooms from €210

    Restaurant  -  Two restaurants; choose between a charming bistro or top notch fine dining
    Foodies  -  The fabulous La Corte Restaurant holds one Michelin Star
    Families
    Country Escape
    TennisRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenViews
    Recommended by  -  Kiwi Collection, Relais & Chateaux

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • Hotel Dei Chiostri Follina Treviso, Veneto 15 rooms from €140

    Foodies  -  A bistro and fantastic restaurant, plenty of Prosecco.
    Luxury  -  Stunning interiors and all the mod cons.
    Garden  -  Immersed in the prosecco vineyards.
    Romantic Break
    Air conditioningGarden

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • La Casa in Collina Canelli Asti, Piedmont 6 rooms from €80

    Views  -  Wonderful views over the hotel's vines.
    Restaurant  -  Recommended.
    Swimming Pool  -  Indoor/outdoor
    Traditional
    RestaurantSwimming PoolGardenViewsParking

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • Real Castello La Morra 17 rooms from €128

    Views  -  Fab views over the Langhe district, the Tanaro valley, the Roero district and the Alps
    Historic  -  A beautiful 15th century castle with whitewashed walls and green shutters.
    Wine tasting  -  Vineyards of Verduno and Barbaresco and tours of hotel wine cellars
    Foodies  -  Many vineyards nearby including Verduno Pelaverga
    Air conditioningRestaurantGardenPet friendlyViews

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • Villa Beccaris Piedmont 23 rooms from €158

    Foodies  -  Hotel is in the Langhe vineyard region, and guests can also go on white truffle hunts
    Great walks  -  Seven routes originating in the village that lead to delightful farmsteads, chapels, woods and vineyards
    Sights nearby  -  Scarampi palace and the Piazza dell'Antica Chiesa
    Romantic  -  Good for couples.
    Air conditioningSwimming PoolGardenDisabled accessParking
    Recommended by  -  Michelin Travel

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • Palazzo Gorgoni Lecce, Puglia 4 rooms from €70

    Local exploring  -  Set beside the Sant'Oronzo Square in the historical quarter, most of Lecce's historical sites are a walk away
    Sights nearby  -  Visit the old Greek Theatre and the Benedictine Monastery (the oldest Monastery of the city)
    Great walks  -  Take a stroll through the pretty gardens, the Villa Comunale di Lecce
    Local markets  -  Good for local colour.
    Air conditioning

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • Corte Baldi Galatina 14 rooms from €65

    Local exploring  -  Perfectly placed to reach the Otranto and Gallipoli beaches as well as the historic city of Lecce
    Value chic  -  Elegant traditional interiors offering some real grandeur at very reasonable rates
    Sights nearby  -  Visit the Papal Basilica Minor of St. Catherine, one of Salanto's only examples of Gothic architecture
    Great walks  -  Take hikes in the Natural Park of Portoselvaggio which overlooks the Ionian Sea
    RestaurantGarden
    Recommended by  -  CN Traveller

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • Relais da Vittorio Bergamo 10 rooms from €250

    Foodies
    Restaurant  -  The restaurant is ranked one of the Best Restaurants in the World.
    Cooking classes  -  The restaurant has a professional cookery school.
    Restaurant with rooms
    Air conditioningRestaurantSwimming PoolGarden
    Recommended by  -  Relais & Chateaux

    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! See More

    Check Availability
  • Villa San Pietro Montichiari (Lombardy) 3 rooms from €100

    Sights nearby  -  Right in the centre of mediaeval Montichiari and only 20mins from Lake Garda
    Cooking classes  -  Learn the art of traditional Italian cuisine from owner Anna
    Swimming Pool  -  There is an olympic sized pool just 2 mins walk away
    Tennis  -  Communal tennis courts in Montichiari
    Air conditioningTennisSwimming PoolGardenParking
    Recommended by  -  Sawdays

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • L’Albereta Erbusco-Franciacorta, Lake Iseo 57 rooms from €260

    Country Escape
    Spa  -  Espace Vitalite Henri Chenot led by a team of physicians, therapists, dieticians & beauticians.
    Restaurant  -  Chef is Gualtiero Marchesi - father of Italian high cuisine!
    Swimming Pool  -  Indoor Pool
    Air conditioningTennisSpaRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenPet friendlyParking
    Recommended by  -  Tablet, Relais & Chateaux

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • Principe di villafranca Palermo 32 rooms from €165

    Great walks  -  Walk the city from Via Maqueda and Corso Vittorio Emanuel
    Sights nearby  -  Explore 16th-century catacombs
    Local markets  -  Explore Ballarò Market
    Short break
    Air conditioningRestaurantDisabled accessParkingNo pets
    Recommended by  -  Fodors

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • Monaci Delle Terre Nere Zafferana Etnea, Sicily 19 rooms from €270

    Honeymoons
    Wellbeing
    Romantic Break
    Total relaxation
    Air conditioningRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenPet friendlyViewsParking
    Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith, I Escape, Tablet, CN Traveller

    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. See More

    Check Availability
  • Masseria degli Ulivi Noto, Sicily 34 rooms from €110

    Sights nearby  -  Palazzolo Acreide and the delights of the World Heritage Site Noto
    Restaurant  -  Serving typical rustic Sicilian cuisine
    Birdwatching  -  Wetlands around Vendicari.
    Secluded setting  -  For escaping.
    Air conditioningTennisRestaurantSwimming PoolGarden
    Recommended by  -  I Escape

    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. See More

    Check Availability

 

Written by Helen Pickles

posted Tuesday, 19th December 2023