5 most unusual wine experiences to do in Italy (beyond wine tasting)

In this article, we will not talk about tastings or grape harvests. Or rather, they will not be the focus of the experience.

In fact, we will collect here only the most special experiences, the ones that, just reading about them, you wish you could drink them in one gulp.

Chianti, Lambrusco, Cabernet, Merlot: what if we told you that you could enjoy a day at the SPA in the company of these delicious wines?

This is an idea that ancient Greeks and Romans had before us, and it seems that even Caterina Sforza appreciated their benefits.

Grapes, in fact, have antioxidant, relaxing, and invigorating properties. Through a special process, the grapes, including the seeds and skins, are used to make creams, oils, and muds. And, so, between peels and massages, certainly the skin of those who try wine therapy comes out renewed. In some facilities, it is even possible to bathe in properly treated wine. Whether there is any real benefit is unknown: but is it really so important to know?

If you would like to pamper yourself and experience the many benefits of exclusive wine treatments, you could take advantage of the fantastic opportunity that Visit Italy has prepared for you with its advantageous ticket. 

Yes, sure. Among the most unusual wine-related experiences is the possibility of working out, instead of in the enclosed space of a gym, in the beauty of the rows of vines.

The personal wine trainer is the teacher who offers exercises aimed at regaining the elasticity of movements, after the sedentary nature of the office months. Not only fitness but also yoga sessions.

Among the vineyards, in fact, there is the serenity of an environment where you can hear only the sounds of nature and the beauty of a panorama that you certainly do not see in everyday life. The plus of this experience? A delicious wine tasting at the end of the workout.

Marching it with healthy exercise in the enchanting naturalistic scenery of the lush vineyards, you could take part in an exciting tour between the rows to increase your knowledge of viticulture techniques and taste the exquisite delicacies of Campania at the slopes of majestic Vesuvio.

This is not the only Wine Museum in Italy, but it is perhaps one of the most cutting-edge.

It is located in Barolo, the symbol of the Langhe region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Here, in the rooms of the Falletti Castle, you can savor the history of wine, but also of the men and women who contributed to its fame. The Marchesi Falletti, the Widow of the Bubbles... Each room of the museum holds stories, and how many stories, allowing you to venture into the world of wine on an interactive journey.

There is also no shortage of opportunities to taste wine in the wine shop located right in the castle cellars.

Are you an oenology enthusiast? Would you like to learn more about the history of this refined and delicious nectar? You could take advantage of the ticket offered by Visit Italy to explore the thematic exhibitions of the Wine Museum at the Citadel of Sala Baganza.

The small town of Canelli, province of Asti, with its 10,000 inhabitants, bounced to the top of all wine lovers' interests in 2014, when the entire Langhe-Roero and Monferrato area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What is striking about Canelli, however, is not visible on the surface. You have to go down to the heart of the earth, where the Underground Cathedrals are located.

These are a great masterpiece of engineering: cellars dug underground that branch off into halls and tunnels under the soil of Canelli. This is where Canelli wine is left to ferment at a constant temperature of between 12 and 15 degrees.

And, of course, at the end of one's underground journey, one cannot miss a taste of these famous bubbles. Cheers!

To crown this range of unusual experiences, we chose this one. An entire night to be spent inside a wooden barrel.

The experience is not only comfortable, but can have real luxury and design implications. The barrels, in fact, have been reconstructed and adapted to accommodate a real hotel room with all the comforts.

There are options for all tastes, but the common denominator is always one: the possibility of staying in a location that has no equal, letting the scent of wood and wine carry you to sleep.