Wine tourism in Lombardy

Lombardy boasts a rich and diverse wine heritage, bringing together very different landscapes, centuries-old winemaking traditions and an ever-growing range of wine tourism experiences. The essential starting point is a high, certified quality of production, boasting no fewer than 5 DOCG, 21 DOC, and 15 IGT designations.

From the gentle hills of Franciacorta to the Alpine valleys of Valtellina, taking in the renowned Oltrepò Pavese and the wine-growing areas in the provinces of Mantua, Brescia, Milan and Bergamo, Lombardy offers itineraries where wine, culture, gastronomy and landscape come together in perfect harmony.

One of the main wine tourism areas is Franciacorta, a lush hilly region near Lake Iseo. Here, the production of sparkling wines is a central element of the local identity and the starting point for experiences such as winery visits, tastings, bike rides through the vineyards and tours to discover the historic villages. The wine offering is also complemented by the gastronomic offering, which showcases local products and high-quality restaurants.

The Oltrepò Pavese is another hilly area with one of Lombardy’s finest wine-growing regions, which stands out for its size and variety of production. Its gently undulating terrain offers a landscape characterised by vineyards, small villages and farms, creating the conditions for wine tourism that is closely linked to an authentic rural experience. Its wineries are meeting places where you can taste local wines and learn more about production techniques, often combining the visit with traditional culinary specialities.

In the upper part of Lombardy, the mountains of Valtellina are another area of great interest where viticulture flourishes on steep terraced slopes, providing a striking example of the relationship between farming and the landscape. This is “heroic” viticulture, where the vineyards, supported by a complex system of terraces, accompany visitors along routes that offer an insight into the Nebbiolo delle Alpi, traditional cultivation techniques and the history of the local communities. Wine tourism in Valtellina can thus be combined with hiking, Alpine culture and gastronomy.

Moving further south, among morainic hills and lake breezes, the Lombardy side of Lake Garda is home to distinctive viticulture, exemplified by the Lugana and Valtenesi wines. Fresh, fragrant wines tell the story of a region waiting to be discovered, with its wineries, vineyards, tastings and lakeside views.

In addition to these areas, there are other wine-producing regions in Lombardy, including some close to the major cities, which contribute to the diversity of the region's offering. For example, San Colombano al Lambro in the metropolitan area of Milan, Lambrusco Mantovano or Moscato di Scanzo in the Bergamo area.

As the food and wine routes of Lombardy's 12 Wine and Flavour Trails also attest, Lombardy's wine tourism offering stands out for the opportunity it provides to create very different experiences: a day in a winery, a tour of the vineyards, a tasting paired with local cuisine, a cultural visit or a stay immersed in the rural landscape.

The value of regional wine tourism therefore goes beyond wine and extends to the ability to use it to tell the story of the region, its history and the communities that have shaped it over time.

In Lombardy, wine is a journey through landscapes, traditions and unusual ways of experiencing the region. From underground cellars to Alpine terraces, five experiences to discover the destination through its wines.

1. Franciacorta – Exploring cellars carved into the rock
   Descend into the heart of the earth to discover the cellars where the bottles of Franciacorta DOCG, produced mainly from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, are stored. An experience that takes you through tunnels, into silence, and through long periods of ageing on the lees, offering an up-close look at the method behind Lombardy's famous sparkling wines.
2. Oltrepò Pavese – Cycling through the vineyards
   Ride an e-bike through the hills of the Oltrepò Pavese, among vineyards and small villages. An itinerary dedicated to Pinot Noir, the emblematic grape variety of the region, and to Croatina, the star of Bonarda dell'Oltrepò Pavese DOC.
3. Garda – Discovering wine from the water
   Experience Lake Garda from a different perspective, sailing on the lake among vineyards and olive groves before reaching the wineries. On dry land, the star of the show is Lugana DOC, made from the Turbiana grape. An experience that combines sailing, landscape and wine culture.
4. Valtellina – Walking on the heroic terraces
   Follow the paths on foot along the famous terraces of Valtellina, where Chiavennasca, the local name for Nebbiolo, grows on the steep Alpine slopes. A wine trekking experience to discover mountain viticulture and Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG, produced from dried grapes.
5. From Milan to Bergamo – Discover the vineyards of the Lombardy hills
   Just a stone's throw from the big cities, two hilly areas preserve authentic winemaking traditions. In San Colombano al Lambro, the only wine-growing area in the Metropolitan City of Milan, you will find Croatina and Barbera, the key varieties of San Colombano DOC. In the hills of Bergamo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon give rise to Valcalepio DOC, while the rare Moscato di Scanzo DOCG is made from the grape of the same name. A journey among small vineyards and producers, through neighbouring areas with distinct winemaking identities.

1. Among the terraces of Valtellina, where the mountains meet wine, every view tells a story of passion and tradition. Here, among ancient dry-stone walls and heroic vineyards, time seems to slow down. The most fascinating fact is that the harvest is still done by hand in many vineyards, as it once was. Each glass of Chiavennasca thus encapsulates the authentic soul of a unique region. An exciting experience that leaves you with memories of the true Lombardy mountains.
2. In Franciacorta, sparkling wines have a much older history than you might think. As early as 1570, the Brescian physician Girolamo Conforti described the area's sparkling wines in his Libellus de vino mordaci, referring to them as "mordaci" – literally, "tart"– a surprising piece of evidence because it predates the birth of modern Franciacorta wine by a long way.
3. In Bergamo, Moscato di Scanzo is a red-grape Moscato, grown exclusively in Scanzorosciate on just 31 hectares. The grapes are left to dry for at least 21 days, and the wine must rest for at least two years before being put on the market.

• Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca) 
• Barbera 
• Croatina 
• Groppello 
• Uva Rara e Vespolina 
• Moscato di Scanzo 
• Chardonnay 
• Pinot Bianco e Pinot Nero 
• Riesling (Italico e Renano) 
• Turbiana (Trebbiano di Lugana)

• WT – Wine Tourism Fair, Milan – February 2027
• Spring Festival, Franciacorta (BS) – March 2027
• Cantine Aperte (Open Wineries), various locations – May 2027
• Franciacorta Festival in the Winery (BS) – September 2027
• ViVa, Wines of Valtellina (SO) – September 2027
• Moscato di Scanzo Festival (BG) – September 2027
• Grape Festival, San Colombano al Lambro (MI) – September/October 2027
• Oltregusto Oltrepò (PV) – September 2027
• Morbegno in Cantina (SO) - September/October 2027
• Cantine Aperte in Vendemmia (Open Wineries during the Grape Harvest), various locations - September/October 2027
• Calici di Stelle, various locations – Summer 2027

• Magazine "Food & Wine inLombardia"
  

Wine Tourism Movement

Wine and Food Trails in Lombardy
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