Sleep Among the Vines: 3 Historic Wine Resorts in Italy | Dimore d'Epoca
Some journeys begin with a glass. Sleeping among the vines, in a wine resort set within a historic residence, means waking up to a view over the rows of vines, following the slow rhythm of the countryside and ending the day with a glass of wine produced just steps from your room. This is the soul of wine tourism: not only tasting, but living the time of wine, from the cellar to the table.
Italy is the perfect place to do it. Old farmhouses, noble villas and wine villages have become charming resorts where hospitality, local cuisine and winemaking tradition come together. Whether you are looking for a romantic escape, a starred dinner or simply a few days of relaxation among hills and vineyards, a stay in a wine resort is a different — and more authentic — way to discover a region.
In this guide we have chosen three historic residences linked to wine, in three of Italy's great wine lands: Monferrato in Piedmont, Montepulciano in Tuscany and Valpolicella in Veneto. For each you will find the full page on Dimore d'Epoca and the dedicated gourmet experience to enjoy on site.
Where to sleep among the vines: 3 wine resorts in historic residences
Ca' San Sebastiano Wine Resort & Spa – Castel San Pietro (Piedmont)
In the heart of Monferrato, a land of ancient castles and UNESCO-listed vineyard hills, Ca' San Sebastiano was created from the careful restoration of a few brick-and-tufa farmhouses, enriched over time with details and objects found in Italian and French antique markets, giving it an almost Provençal style. Here simple country life meets exclusive comforts: a wellness centre specialising in couple treatments, with vinotherapy and hay, herb and salt baths, a swimming pool overlooking the hills and a restaurant serving traditional Piedmontese dishes in the elegant "Sala della Musica" or in the Osteria, the ancient arched cellar. The resort runs its own winery producing wines from native grapes, with visits available on Sunday mornings by reservation: the perfect address for those who want to experience Monferrato through wine, relaxation and good food.
Fattoria Svetoni – Montepulciano (Tuscany)
In Montepulciano, home of Vino Nobile, Fattoria Svetoni is a refined luxury wine resort surrounded by Sangiovese vineyards in the Valdichiana. The villa, dating from the late eighteenth century and renovated in the nineteenth century as Fattoria Leopoldina, is home to a vineyard that has been producing the Svetoni family wines for almost 160 years. The twelve rooms combine antique furniture with contemporary design, amid exposed stone and carefully curated details, while a panoramic pool and a spa with sauna, hammam and emotional shower invite you to unwind after a day among the hills. Its gourmet heart is Osmosi, a Michelin-starred restaurant led by chef Mirko Marcelli, with three tasting menus that tell the story of the territory in a creative key. A must for anyone seeking the Tuscany of wine and fine dining.
Castrum Wine Relais – Castelrotto (Veneto)
On the highest point of the central hill of Valpolicella Classica, in the medieval village of Castelrotto, the Castrum Wine Relais offers a view that stretches across the valley to the peaks of the Lessinia. The relais is set within Villa Fraccaroli, an elegant eighteenth-century residence restored to its original splendour, its historic charm enhanced by contemporary details. The bond with wine runs deep: the story of the Borghetti family begins in 1980, when Paolo expanded the family winery, and continues today with the Giampiero Borghetti labels and the Castrum collection, which you can taste on site or take home. Six rooms and six suites, renovated between 2022 and 2023 between elegant design and period atmospheres, complete a stay of history, wine and breathtaking views — in the heart of the land of Amarone.
Why choose a wine resort for your getaway
A stay among the vines is about more than the view. It is a way of travelling that brings together several pleasures in a single place: you sleep in a residence with a story to tell, you taste wine where it is made, you eat local cuisine and often enjoy relaxation and wellness too. Here is what makes this formula special:
- Wine at the source: on-site wineries and wine shops let you taste and buy the house labels, often with guided tours among the barrels.
- Local cuisine: from Piedmontese dishes to starred Tuscan tables, food dialogues with the wine and the season.
- Relaxation among the rows: panoramic pools, spas and vinotherapy treatments turn the stay into a regenerating break.
- One destination, endless experiences: walks, e-bikes, sunsets over the hills and villages to discover just minutes away.
What to check before booking
- Harvest and seasonality: between late August and October the wineries live the grape harvest, the most evocative but also the busiest period; book in advance.
- Tastings and cellar tours: check days and times (often by reservation) so you don't miss the tour among the barrels.
- On-site restaurant: if you are after a gourmet dinner, check the opening days and book your table, especially at starred restaurants.
- Getting around: wine resorts are often in the countryside; a car is usually the best option, remembering that whoever drives tastes in moderation.
When to go among the vines
Summer brings long days, outdoor dinners and dips in the pool with a view over the rows; early autumn, with the harvest and the golden foliage of the vineyards, is perhaps the most magical time for a wine-tourism stay. Spring, finally, offers lush green hills and an ideal climate for walks and tastings. In every season, a wine resort in a historic residence turns a weekend into a lasting memory.
The perfect gift box for food and wine lovers
A stay among the vines also makes a wonderful gift for wine and food lovers. Among the gift boxes by Dimore d'Epoca, gourmet options such as Degustazioni Tipiche, Sosta Gourmet and Gustoso Relax let you give an experience of historic residences, flavours and wine, to be enjoyed whenever you like within the following twelve months. And to make the stay unforgettable, take a look at the dedicated experiences: Monferrato: Relaxation and Flavors at Ca' San Sebastiano, the Luxury Stay and Starred Dinner in Montepulciano at Fattoria Svetoni and Valpolicella: History, Wine and Flavors at Castrum Wine Relais.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to stay in a wine resort?
A wine resort is an accommodation linked to wine production, often set within a historic residence with its own cellar or vineyards. Staying here lets you combine your stay with tastings of the house wines, local cuisine and, in many cases, a spa and pool.
When is the best time for a wine-tourism stay?
The grape harvest, between late August and October, is the most fascinating time to experience the wineries, but summer offers outdoor dinners and relaxation by the pool, while spring brings green hills and an ideal climate. Every season has its charm among the vines.
Where can you sleep among the vines in Italy?
Among the Dimore d'Epoca listings are Ca' San Sebastiano in Monferrato (Piedmont), Fattoria Svetoni in Montepulciano (Tuscany) and Castrum Wine Relais in Valpolicella (Veneto): three wine resorts in historic residences, in three of Italy's great wine lands.
Set off to discover Italian wine
From Monferrato to Valpolicella, by way of the hills of Montepulciano, sleeping among the vines is the most authentic way to discover the Italy of wine: history, landscapes and flavours in a single experience. Choose your historic residence among the country houses of Dimore d'Epoca and set off for a weekend of taste and relaxation. Discover all the stays and experiences in the collection.
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