Wineroads
August 5th, 2020
The Eastern Hills of Friuli-Venezia Giulia cradle a magical place with timeless charm: it is the Buttrio Castle which, with its tower, dominates a landscape dotted with orchards, vineyards and ancient villages.
Alessandra Felluga, the owner of the estate and fifth-generation winegrower, throws open the doors of her wine resort on the Friuli Hills. The rooms of the castle are flooded with natural light, the large windows give onto the garden and the view dominated by the lush landscape and silence, and the muted classical music in the background completes the sense of extraordinary hospitality in which we are cocooned.
Lunch at Locanda Al Castello di Buttrio is a work of art: we taste the wines of the winery, first and foremost their Ribolla Gialla and Friulano, and sample the typical cold cuts and cheeses of the Friulian gastronomy. We are literally surrounded by vineyards and in front of a breathtaking view.
For our postprandial break we can choose to stop in the castle garden to enjoy the fresh air and sublime view, or walk along the marked paths leading to Agriturismo Tra Le Vigne. A good book and a chair in the shade of the rows of vines and trees: what more can we ask for? Obviously a bottle of chilled Sauvignon!
For a fitting closing to an unforgettable day on the Colli Orientali del Friuli-Venezia Giulia, not to be missed is the ancient Abbazia di Rosazzo, the Augustinian abbey that was a crossroads between the East and West in the Middle Ages and is today famous for its incredible display of roses, including rare ancient varieties. The view that can be enjoyed from the belvedere embraces the surrounding landscape and, on clear days, reaches as far as the Adriatic on the horizon.
Travelling to (re)discover our regions is a pleasure that we are happy to offer with our Wineroads: the next stop on our journey is the Castelvecchio estate, in the heart of the Gorizia Karst, the land that first inspired the poet Giuseppe Ungaretti.
Photo © Castello di Buttrio