The Wine Roads of Calabria: a journey through taste, history and beauty
There’s a Calabria made of silence among the vineyards, of scents of earth and sea, of glasses raised to the sky before sunsets that look painted. This is the Calabria of the Wine Roads, a route that is not only geographical but emotional too: an invitation to slow down, listen, savour.
An ancient vocation: Enotria felix
The history of wine in Calabria is not a recent trend.
It’s rooted in myth, in the routes of the Greek settlers who named this land Enotria, “the land of wine”. Today, that vocation is renewed with every harvest, in the small producers who preserve ancient native grape varieties and in every winery that opens its doors to proudly share an authentic identity.
A route that unites heart and palate
The Wine Roads wind from north to south, from the hinterland to the coast, connecting enchanting landscapes, medieval villages, historic wineries and unique areas for biodiversity and tradition.
1. Cosenza and Pollino: among vineyards and parks
Where wine meets the mountains and the ancient stories of the villages
We start in the north, in the DOC Terre di Cosenza, where wine in Calabria is intertwined with the mountains, culture and village hospitality. In Saracena, home of the famous Slow Food Presidium Moscato, the glass accompanies old tales and traditional desserts. And all around, the Pollino Park offers majestic, unspoilt scenery.
Where to enjoy the view:
From the village’s main viewpoint, overlooking the beach and the sanctuary.
Along Tropea’s main street, where every view looks like a postcard.
Climbing up to the Sanctuary, for an unmatched view of the coast.
2. Cirò and Melissa: the Ionian’s wine-growing gold
In the heart of Calabrian viticulture, among Gaglioppo grapes, castles and sunsets over the sea
Heading down towards the Ionian Sea, you enter the realm of Cirò DOC, perhaps the most famous wine in Calabria. Here the Gaglioppo grape produces intense reds and elegant rosés, to be tasted among rows of vines overlooking the sea. Melissa, Crucoli and Cirò Marina are not-to-be-missed stops, where history and flavour blend among castles, olive trees and crystal-clear sea.
Where to admire the best views:
The Capo Vaticano Viewpoint, near the lighthouse: a privileged vantage point to take in the coast and the Aeolian Islands on the horizon.
Along the scenic road, with spectacular views over Grotticelle beach.
From the sea, with a boat excursion that will let you explore the jagged coastline from a unique perspective.
3. Lamezia and the Sila: where wine meets the wind
Unique microclimates, native grape varieties and mountain traditions
In the heart of the region, the area between Lamezia Terme, the Savuto Valley and the Sila highlands is home to grape varieties such as Magliocco, Nerello and Greco bianco, in an ideal microclimate thanks to the dual influence of the two seas. Here wines of a thousand nuances are born, paired with rustic, genuine dishes.
Where to admire the best views:
From the beach itself, perfect for relaxing after a dive and admiring the view of the Aeolian Islands.
From the path leading there, which overlooks the entire coastline and the crystal-clear waters below.
By boat or kayak, to enjoy the view of the jagged coast and the sea caves.
4. Costa Viola and Reggio Calabria: vineyards suspended between sky and sea
Terraces over the Strait, heroic vineyards and wines with a maritime character
On the southernmost Tyrrhenian coast, between Scilla, Cittanova and Reggio Calabria, the vineyards cling to terraces overlooking Etna and the Strait. The IGT wines of Costa Viola, Scilla and Pellaro have the proud, mineral character of their land: one sip and you can taste the sea.
TIP: Bring everything you need with you: there are no facilities or beach clubs, but the unspoilt beauty rewards every effort.
Pianifica il tuo viaggio alla scoperta delle meraviglie della Calabria. Dopo un’immersione tra i fondali di Scilla, Tropea o dell’Isola di Dino, concediti del tempo per esplorare anche le spiagge più belle della regione, dalle iconiche distese di sabbia della Costa degli Dei fino al fascino selvaggio dell’Arcomagno.
Inizia subito a pianificare la tua avventura! La tua indimenticabile vacanza in Calabria è a pochi clic di distanza! Se hai dubbi o desideri consigli per organizzare al meglio la tua vacanza, lo staff di Airone Residence a Zambrone sarà lieto di aiutarti.
