Lake Trasimeno, the fourth largest lake in Italy, was already known for its beauty yet in Roman times. Located right in the heart of Umbria, the surrounding of Trasimeno is a real natural paradise, full of history, art, traditions, and of course, great food and wine.
The ideal location of Trasimeno allows you to travel through some of the most beautiful cities of Umbria, such as Assisi, Perugia, Spoleto and Gubbio, and the medieval villages of Tuoro, Passignano, Panicale and Castiglione del Lago, among others.
Lake Trasimeno is known in Roman history as the place of the bloody defeat of a Roman army by Hannibal in 217 BC.
Trasimeno is also known as "the green heart of Italy", because of the green expanses that grow thanks to the suitable conditions offered by the proximity to the lake. Being a Regional Park since 1995, Trasimeno offers a unique opportunity to discover the ecosystem of the lake while visiting small family wineries. And more than that, learn all about local fishing traditions in the Fishing Museum of San Feliciano.
Trasimeno Wine Route
The Trasimeno Wine Route passes through the territory of the DOC Colli del Trasimeno and represents 22 wineries, each of them unique in its history and winemaking techniques.
Colli del Trasimeno is one of the 13 DOCs of Umbria Wine Region of Italy. This small appellation of only 222 hectares (2019, IWC), is located in the northern part of Umbria, on the border with Tuscany. Here, the vineyards, expanding on the hills around Trasimeno Lake, receive optimal exposure, which, combined with other favourable grape-growing conditions, results in a prime growing environment.
What are The Colli del Trasimeno Wines like?
Vines have always been cultivated in Trasimeno, yet it remains to be a “hidden gem” among the historical wine regions of Italy.
The flagship grape of this appellation is what the locals call “Gamay” or “Trasimeno Gamay” but indeed, by grape genetics, it is a well-known Grenache grape variety. Other most planted red varieties are Ciliegiolo and Sangiovese.
For the whites, the most common vines are Grechetto and Trebbiano. Trasimeno is also famous for its Trasimeno Rosato, and rosé wines, which have become the symbol of “dolce far niente” enjoyed on the shores of the Lake. Trasimeno Rosato creates an interesting pairing with the local cuisine, both with fish from the lake and with the Trasimeno bean, a legume with exceptional properties.
What to eat in Trasimeno?
Umbria is the only landlocked region of Italy, which helps to explain why the local food is so wildly different from our collective imagination of Italian food being pizza and pasta. This is a home to heavy, meaty food and also, not your usual fish – eel, perch and pike are the most common ones. One of the lake’s signature dishes is Carpa Regina in porchetta (the carp cooked over a wood fire) or the Tegamaccio a type of fish soup stew made from all the types of fish from Lake Trasimeno and cooked with the best olive oil, white wine and herbs. Trasimeno is also famous for its truffles harvested from the surrounding forested hills.
What to explore on Trasimeno Wine Route
Out of 9 municipalities surrounding the lake, the Wine Route passes mainly through the territories of the Province of Perugia. The real pearls of this widespread wine route are the small villages that are considered to be some of the most beautiful medieval villages of Italy.
Castiglione del Lago
Located on the hill, overlooking Lake Trasimeno, Castilione del Lago is absolutely impressive. The Palazzo Corgna and Rocca del Leone are just two out of many architectural delights that make Castiglione del Lago one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
Good to know. Every year, a festival of “Coloriamo I Cieli” (Let's paint the sky) takes place in Castilione del Lago. It is one of the most important kite and hot air balloon festivals organized during springtime, attracting visitors from all around the world.
Corciano
In the middle of a charming landscape, the ancient medieval castle of Corciano is surrounded by a high wall and encompasses towers, gardens, palaces, bell towers, churches and stairways.
Passignano
The medieval Passignano sul Trasimeno stands out with its high tower overlooking the lake. You can visit this village by bicycle through the bike path that runs along almost the entire lake basin, or by walk. This is a great place to savour locally produced olive oil with carpa regina in porchetta paired with Colli del Trasimeno DOC wines.
Tuoro
Touro is a historical site of the Trasimento battle where Consul Flaminius lost his life against Hannibal's victorious Carthaginian army. Tuoro sul Trasimeno is a typical fishing village where zuppa al tegamaccio di coccio, made with catch from the lake will tempt your palate. This dish pairs exceptionally well with the local red wine, Trasimeno Gamay.
Città della Pieve
Going south of Castiglione del Lago you will come across Città della Pieve located in a hilly area 500 meters above sea level. The centre of this small town is characterized by red brick buildings and picturesque streets. The works of a famous citizen of Pieve, the Umbrian painter Perugino are kept in the Cathedral, the church of Sant Agostino and Palazzo Corgna.
Wineries to visit in Trasimeno Wine Route
Agricola Casaioli
Located in Fontignano, in the heart of Umbria, Agricola Casaioli has been carrying out farming, viticulture, and growing cereals and olives for many years. It was the young generation of the family that started producing wine 20 years ago. Here you will get to know the local wines in harmony with other agricultural traditions.
Madrevite
At Madrevite, Nicola Chiucchiurlotto began to restore the family business in 2003 and started practicing organic agriculture using the principles that respect environmental and economic sustainability. This is an amazing spot to get introduced to the history of the territory and the peculiarities of local viticulture and wines.
Pomario
The Pomario winery, estate, and farm is the passion project of the Spalletti Trivelli family. Together with the wine tours and tasitngs, the estate offers a variety of experiences including cooking classes, brunches, gourmet lunches and dinners.
Chiesa del Carmine
Chiesa del Carmine is an ancient 13th-century church at the centre of the Carmine Estate, located in the heart of Umbria. The estate practices organic agriculture in its ancient terraced olive grove and vineyards. The offer includes a variety of guided wine tastings and tours of the historical church.
Casali del Toppello
The "Casali del Toppello" farm is located in Mantignana di Corciano (PG), it was founded in 2009 by renovating farmhouses, warehouses, and land belonging to an old farm active from the early decades of the 1900s, but the historical roots are much deeper because inside the property, among a portion of olive trees, the remains of an ancient settlement from the Roman age were found, which later turned out to be a real farm of the time.
Duca della Corgna
Duca della Corgna is a cooperative of 200 members for a total area of about 300 hectares. The wine tasting and tour at Cantina Del Trasimeno - Duca Della Corgna allow visitors to attend the working activities inside a winery. Here you will get a local insight into the know-how of the wine business.
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