Wine Tourism in Calabria

Even before it became known as Calabria, this land was the Greeks' Enotria — the land of vines and wine. It was right here that it all began. The very name 'Italy' originated in this corner of the Mediterranean, where Greek colonists founded Krimisa and the monumental Shrine of Apollo Aleo on the headland of Punta Alice in the early 8th century BC. According to tradition, Krimisa wine – the precursor of Cirò – became the official wine of the Olympic Games, spreading throughout the Mediterranean and being favoured by Milo of Croton, a six-time Olympic champion. This history makes Calabria one of the cradles of Italian viticulture, a legacy still savoured today. 

The vineyards thrive amid the breezes of the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas and the fresh air of the Pollino, Sila, Serre and Aspromonte mountain ranges. Each province has its own climate, soils and cultivation practices, reflecting the many civilisations that have succeeded one another over the centuries. This diversity gives rise to a surprising variety of savoury, Mediterranean wines with a strong personality. 

At the heart of this wealth lie the indigenous grape varieties, protected and revitalised by a new generation of winegrowers, whose efforts have helped revive varieties that were in danger of disappearing. 

The best way to discover Calabria is to travel along its Wine Routes, which criss-cross the region from north to south and from one coast to the other. Many wineries open their doors to visitors, offering vineyard tours, tastings and opportunities to experience the region and its people. 

The journey begins in Cosenza, in the Terre di Cosenza DOC region, made up of seven sub-zones. The area lies between the Pollino and Sila National Parks and the Savuto Valley. Here, the Wine Towns of Belmonte Calabro, Frascineto and Saracena are home to treasures such as Moscato di Saracena, a Slow Food Presidium passito wine. 

Heading to the Ionian coast in the Crotone area, you reach the land of Cirò, Calabria's most famous wine, and the Melissa DOC. This itinerary links the villages of Cirò, Melissa and Crucoli with the Aragonese fortress of Le Castella, the Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area and the Capo Colonna Archaeological Park. 

In the heart of the region, between the Lametino and Catanzarese areas, the microclimate created by the two seas is ideal for producing Savuto, Scavigna and Lamezia DOC wines. Lamezia Terme, City of Wine, offers wine tasting alongside the charm of Nicastro's historic centre, with the Cathedral and the remains of the Norman-Swabian Castle. 

Heading down the Tyrrhenian coast, you reach the Costa Viola, where vineyards on dry terraces overlooking Mount Etna produce the Costa Viola and Scilla IGT wines. These are best enjoyed after a stroll among the fishermen's houses of Chianalea. In Reggio Calabria, between the seafront promenade and the National Archaeological Museum of the Riace Bronzes, you will find wines from Arghillà and Pellaro. 

The final stretch follows the Ionian coast, passing through the Grecanica area, the Costa dei Gelsomini and Locride. This is the land of the prized dessert wine Greco di Bianco DOC, produced in Bianco and Casignana, as well as wines from Palizzi, Locri and Bivongi. The itinerary concludes here with a toast amid villages, archaeological sites and landscapes suspended between sea and mountains. 

Sipping a glass of Calabrian wine is the most authentic way to truly get to know the region, returning you to where it all began.

1. Wine tasting in Europe’s highest vineyard
   In the heart of the Sila, at around 1,300 metres overlooking Lake Cecita, discover “heroic viticulture”: vines grown in challenging conditions among cold temperatures, steep slopes and ancient woodlands. The wide temperature range between day and night gives the wines freshness and fragrance. The experience ends with a guided tasting of mountain wines produced in this extraordinary setting. 
2. Sunset amongst the vineyards of the Costa Viola
   Between Palmi, Bagnara Calabra and Scilla, vineyards descend towards the sea on terraces supported by dry stone walls. Walk among vines trained in the traditional “alberello” style, the oldest form of Mediterranean cultivation, then enjoy a sunset tasting overlooking the Strait of Messina and the Aeolian Islands, accompanied by local specialities. 
3. Natural wines in the Gerace countryside
   In Locride, at the foot of Gerace, discover natural wines made from grapes grown without chemicals and fermented naturally, without additives or filtration. The winemaker will guide you through the experience while you taste local wines, simple Calabrian produce and traditional specialities. 
4. Off-roading in the Stilaro Valley
   Starting from Bivongi, an off-road tour leads to the Monastery of San Giovanni Theristis, a Byzantine gem surrounded by countryside, before continuing through the vineyards of the valley. At the winery, taste Bivongi DOC white, rosé and red wines, together with “mosto cotto”, an ancient grape syrup traditionally used in Calabrian desserts. 
5. Picnic in the vineyard
   Take a picnic basket filled with local specialities and a bottle of wine, then choose your spot among rows of Gaglioppo, Calabria’s iconic grape variety, or beside an ancient “palmento”, the stone trough once used for treading grapes. A relaxed way to discover the region through its wine traditions and landscapes.

1. The land that gave Italy its name
   The Greeks called this land 'Enotria', meaning 'land of wine', because they found a thriving wine-growing industry there, practised by the Oenotrians since the Bronze Age. It is from this region that the name of the entire Italian peninsula derives, from the legendary King Italo. 
2. The wine of the Olympic champions
   Cirò is considered one of the world's oldest wines. Tradition has it that it was offered to the winners of the Olympic Games under the name Krimisa. As early as Roman times, Pliny the Elder praised Calabrian wines as being among the finest of the era. 
3. Vineyard cultivation on hills and mountains
   Less than 10% of Calabria's land is flat. Over 90 per cent of vineyards are situated on hills and mountains, often on steep slopes and terraces. The highest vineyard in Europe is located in the Sila, at an altitude of around 1,300 metres. On the slopes facing the Ionian Sea, Greco di Bianco is produced — one of Italy's oldest and rarest passito wines.

• Gaglioppo: a black-berried variety and the symbol of the region, forming the basis of the famous Cirò wine.
• Magliocco Dolce: another black-berried variety typical of the Terre di Cosenza DOC, found from Pollino to Sila. It is rich in colour, acidity and tannins and produces structured, long-lived wines.
• Magliocco Canino: a black grape variety widespread in the Lametino area and on the Costa degli Dei. Genetically distinct from the Dolce variety, it ripens late and produces elegant, long-lived wines.
• Nerello Mascalese: a black grape variety found particularly in the Reggio area and on the terraces of the Costa Viola.
• Nerello Cappuccio: a black grape variety grown mainly in Locride.
• Calabrese (Nero d’Avola): a black grape variety with ancient southern roots.
• Nocera: a black grape variety grown mainly in the Reggio area.
• Greco Bianco: a white grape variety and one of the region’s principal indigenous white varieties.
• Greco di Bianco: a white grape variety from which the prized dessert wine Greco di Bianco DOC is produced.
• Guarnaccia: a white grape variety widespread in the Pollino area and forms the basis of the famous Moscato passito di Saracena.
• Malvasia: a white, aromatic grape and part of the large Malvasia family.
• Mantonico: a white grape variety. This ancient indigenous variety has great structure and is suited to long-ageing whites. Thanks to its high acidity, it is also ideal for sparkling wine production.
• Pecorello: a white grape variety native to the Savuto area, which is now also widespread in other parts of Calabria.
• Zibibbo: a white, aromatic grape variety grown on the Costa degli Dei, which was saved from extinction by young local winegrowers.

• Vinitaly and the City - Calabria in Wine
  A leading regional event dedicated to Calabrian wine, with local wineries and producers taking part in tastings, masterclasses and talks. In 2026, it was held at the Sibari Archaeological Park and in Reggio Calabria. 
• Borgo diVino
  A travelling food and wine festival hosted in Calabria’s “Most Beautiful Villages of Italy”, with tastings of local and national wines, traditional dishes and meetings with producers. In 2026, it stopped in Fiumefreddo Bruzio. 
• Verbicaro Wine Festival
  A two-day event in Verbicaro’s historic centre dedicated to wine, biodiversity and the local area, with masterclasses, talks, cookery demonstrations and tastings in the traditional “catùv” wine cellars. 
• Incontri DiVini nel Borgo Antico
  A summer event in Cirò’s historic centre combining tastings of Cirò wines with music, art and performances, centred each year on a theme linked to the local area.

Dipartimento Turismo, cultura e identità territoriale

• calabriastraordinaria.it
• calabriastraordinaria@regione.calabria.it