Wine tourism in Romagna

Nestled in the heart of Italy, within the Emilia-Romagna region, the Romagna territory is a hidden gem for wine and food lovers seeking authentic experiences. This picturesque wine region, easily accessible from major cities like Bologna and Florence, is renowned for its rolling hills, popular Riviera, and, most notably, its exceptional Romagna DOC wines. Some of the finest wines produced in the area include Sangiovese di Romagna and Albana wines, which perfectly complement the rich local cuisine.

During your time in Romagna, you can immerse yourself in the region's wine culture by touring traditional vineyards, tasting exquisite wines, and indulging in the flavors of Romagna's iconic dishes, such as piadina and cappelletti. Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or a curious traveler, Romagna offers you an unforgettable journey through the heart of Italian food & wine culture.

If you already know the key information about Romagna and its fine wines, feel free to skip this guide and start your search for Romagna experiences available on winedering.com

Romagna, a captivating wine destination in northeastern Italy, is nestled between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea within the Emilia-Romagna region. This diverse landscape, characterized by rolling hills, fertile plains, and a sun-kissed coastline, creates the perfect environment for viticulture. The climate in Romagna is characterized by warm summers and mild, breezy winters, with a favorable balance of rainfall and sunshine that allows grape varieties to thrive.

While Romagna offers its own unique charm, it is distinct from Emilia, the other half of the Emilia-Romagna region. Emilia is most famous for its history-rich cities, such as Bologna and Modena, and its indulgent culinary traditions, including the world-famed Parmigiano-Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma. Emilia is also known for its sparkling Lambrusco wines and a more urban and industrial atmosphere. In contrast, Romagna is more rustic and coastal, with a strong local identity reflected in its simpler, yet equally flavorful, cuisine and the warm hospitality of its people.

Historically, Romagna has a rich winemaking tradition that dates back to the Roman era, when this fertile area first became recognized for its agricultural potential. Over the centuries, the region's strategic location along trade routes between Northern and Southern Europe facilitated the growth and spread of its wine culture. An important milestone in Romagna's wine history came in 1967 with the creation of the Romagna DOC designation, which officially recognized the region's unique terroir and quality wines. Today, Romagna is celebrated for producing some of Italy's most distinctive wines, including Sangiovese di Romagna, a robust red wine, and Albana di Romagna, the first white wine in Italy to receive DOCG status.

The territory's rich history, combined with its picturesque landscape, ideal climate, and distinct cultural identity, makes Romagna a must-visit destination for wine lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Before booking, let’s see how to reach and visit the Romagna territory.

The Romagna region is well-connected and accessible from various parts of Italy and Europe, making it a convenient destination for wine getaways and more. Here's how you can reach Romagna using different transportation options:   flights, trains, and car rentals, as well as a few recommended itineraries that  offer a unique blend of cultural experiences, scenic landscapes, and unforgettable wines.

Start your journey in Milan, exploring the fashion capital and its nearby wine region in Lombardy, Franciacorta. Then, head to Modena to indulge in its famous balsamic vinegar and Lambrusco wines. From Modena, continue to Romagna, where you can spend a few more days touring the vineyards, tasting Sangiovese and Albana wines, and visiting charming hilltop villages like Brisighella. End your trip in the romantic city of Venice, enjoying the canals and Veneto wines.

Route 2: Adriatic Coast and Wine Tour
Begin your adventure in the vibrant city of Rimini, where you'll enjoy the sun and sea of the Adriatic coast. From Rimini, venture into the Romagna countryside for two or more days of winery visits and tastings, focusing on Sangiovese and Albana wines. Continue along the Adriatic coast to reach Le Marche region, where you’ll discover its unique Verdicchio wines, and end your trip in the coastal town of Ancona to enjoy fresh seafood and fine local wines.

Route 3: Slow Travel Through Central Italy
Start your leisurely journey in the Umbrian countryside, where you can visit rolling vineyards and medieval towns like Assisi. Then, head north to Romagna, where you'll spend several days exploring small, family-run wineries, tasting local wines, and enjoying the relaxed pace of rural life. After Romagna, continue to the Etruscan coast of Tuscany, along the Tyrrhenian Sea, savoring coastal wines and fresh seafood. Finally, end your trip in the scenic Val d'Orcia with its world-renowned Brunello di Montalcino wines.

Whether you’re a wine lover planning a grand tour along the Riviera Romagnola or wish to stop in for a quick wine experience, these routes will help you seamlessly reach the territory of Romagna. Enjoy the rolling natural sceneries, warm hospitality, and the rich food and wine heritage that await in this enchanting region!

Exploring Romagna’s wine region is best done by car, offering the flexibility to visit vineyards, historic towns, and scenic countryside at your own pace. Renting a car from nearby cities like Bologna or Rimini provides easy access to Romagna's rolling hills and wineries.

For those preferring not to drive, local trains connect key towns such as Faenza, Forlì, and Ravenna, with short taxi rides or bike rentals available to reach rural vineyards.

Private transfers are another convenient option, providing door-to-door service from your accommodation to wineries, ensuring a comfortable and stress-free experience, especially after indulging in generous wine tastings.

However you choose to explore the area, Romagna’s charm and exceptional wines are sure to leave a lasting impression!

Romagna is a wine destination steeped in history and tradition. The unique terroir of this region, influenced by the proximity of the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea, provides an ideal environment for quality viticulture, producing distinctive wines that are deeply rooted in the local culture.

One of the most celebrated wines of the region is undoubtedly Sangiovese di Romagna, a robust red wine that has become synonymous with Romagna’s winemaking excellence and is produced with a minimum of 85% Sangiovese grapes. Unlike its Tuscan counterpart, Sangiovese in Romagna tends to be more approachable, with softer tannins and fruitier notes. This wine is produced in several subzones within the Romagna DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) and is also produced in the versions of Romagna Sangiovese Superiore, which denotes a higher quality with stricter production standards, and Romagna Sangiovese Riserva, which requires longer aging.

Another renowned wine from Romagna is Albana di Romagna, the first white wine in Italy to be awarded the prestigious DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) status. This ancient grape variety produces a range of wines, from dry to sweet, including the luscious Albana Passito. Albana wines are known for their rich body, golden hue, and complex flavors, often featuring notes of apricot, almond, and honey. The Albana grape is also used to produce Romagna DOC Albana Spumante, a sparkling wine produced either with the Metodo Classico or the Charmat method.

In addition to Sangiovese and Albana, Romagna’s vineyards also produce other types of wine such as Trebbiano di Romagna DOC, a versatile white wine known for its crisp acidity and light, refreshing character, Pagadebit DOC, a pleasant native white wine, produced both still and sparkling with unmistakable floral scents, and Cagnina DOC, a sweet red wine produced with Terrano grapes (locally known as Refosco in some areas).

Romagna’s wine territory is divided into several subzones, each contributing to the diversity and richness of its wine selection. Key subzones include Modigliana, characterized by high-altitude vineyards and mineral-rich soils, and Brisighella, where the unique clay soils impart a distinct character to its wines. These subzones are part of the larger Romagna DOC, covering the provinces of Forlì-Cesena, Ravenna, and Rimini.

Whether you’re exploring the vibrant red Sangiovese wine or the elegant Albana whites, Romagna offers a wine experience that is as rich and diverse as its landscape. Each glass you'll taste will tell you the story of a region where tradition, innovation, and passion come together to create truly exceptional wines!

Romagna is a culinary paradise, renowned for its rich and flavorful cuisine that reflects the region’s agricultural bounty and deep-rooted culinary traditions. The food of Romagna is characterized by simple, high-quality ingredients and hearty, satisfying dishes that highlight the regional love for both land and sea. From handmade pasta to the iconic piadina, a savory flatbread filled with delicacies, Romagna's cuisine is a celebration of rustic flavors and timeless recipes that have been passed down through generations.

 During your time in Romagna, make sure to try:

Here are our top 5 recommendations for wine experiences in Romagna, carefully selected by Winedering, the world's most popular marketplace for wine and food experiences. These experiences, booked by thousands of customers, are the ones we highly recommend for creating unforgettable moments.

If you're looking for inspiration for your next trip or want to make adjustments to your existing holiday plans on the Adriatic coast, take a look at our top 2 itineraries suggested by Winedering for the stunning Romagna. The Winedering team has carefully curated these tours to meet specific criteria:

Experience an enchanting half-day tour in Romagna with a trip combining 2 wineries producing fine local wines.  Whether you're departing from nearby cities like Forlì or Cesena or a little further away like Bologna, this itinerary is perfect for those who want to discover the local wine culture and its delicious traditional products.

Get ready to live a memorable journey through the stunning territory of Romagna with an exclusive tour combining 3 wine tasting sessions at different wineries. By the end of the day, you'll have gained precious knowledge of the legacy of this territory, tasted various exquisite wines, and witnessed breathtaking landscapes.

These detailed itineraries and insider tips will help ensure that your adventure through Romagna will be both seamless and unforgettable.

Remember to take your time, enjoy the stunning views, and soak in the warm hospitality of the local winemakers and residents. Here's to many memorable wine experiences in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, that you can easily book online on Winedering.com, the best online wine tourism marketplace worldwide. 

Buon viaggio and cheers to your Romagna adventure!

Book Now on Winedering.com