The Piceno territory has an environment full of historical and cultural outstanding features

The gentle hills, naturally blending the coast to the mountains, are a treasure chest of art treasures: strongholds, churches and medieval fortifications, where you can still admire the  “know how” of ancient traditions. We recommend some itineraries after which it will be a pleasure to taste first quality cuisine, accompanied by our wines.

ASCOLI PICENO, THE TRAVERTINE TOWN

The ancient origins of this town date back to the 7th and 6th centuries BC.   
Ascoli Piceno rises on a natural fortification delimited on two sides by the Tronto and Castellano rivers and on a third side by the Annunziata hill. The buildings, made of travertine stone (abundant in this area) have allowed an urban stratification that presents a chromatic range, varying from dark golden to the white of the stone.
What is surprising is the harmony of the old town centre that has completely maintained its late medieval appearance.

The tour begins at Piazza Arringo, which houses the Cathedral with the marvellous polyptych by Carlo Crivelli, the Picture-gallery, the Archaeological Museum and the Diocesan Museum.
Following the narrow streets “rue”, you reach  Piazza del Popolo, which achieves its present * aspect at the beginning of the 16th century with the “Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo” and the church of San Francesco. A stop at the old “Caffè Meletti”, that is in pure Liberty style, is a must as this is where many important people have tasted the “Anisetta Meletti”(anise liquor), symbol of the town. You should not miss a visit to the Merchants Loggia and the Cloister of San Francesco where, every third Saturdays and Sundays of the month, there is an antique market.

Walking along via del Trivio you can admire the Ventidio Basso theatre, in pure neoclassical style, and from there, you can reach the medieval district with its tall towers. In Middle Ages, they were about 200, before Frederick the 2nd destroyed the majority of them. Today only fifty are left, in memory of ancient power.

In July and August, Ascoli is home of one of the most beautiful historical pageants of Italy: the “Quintana”, with more than 1000 figures, dressed in precious medieval costumes, who parade the streets of the old town centre. A jousting tournament takes place at the end of the parade, where riders representing the six districts of Ascoli, compete for the “palio” (silk banner awarded to the winner). Another remarkable entertainment is the Carnival, when all the inhabitants abandon themselves to tricks, jokes, pretending to simulate  sarcastic caricatures.

The typical local gastronomic recipe are the tender Ascoli olives, stuffed with meat, breaded and deep-fried; they are the main ingredient of the Ascoli mixed fried food dish.

OFFIDA, FOLKLORE AND ANCIENT CRAFTS

Offida is a small medieval town,perfectly preserved and encircled by old castle walls.

It is a labyrinth of alleys,inns and artistic shops that exhibit an ancient craft: that of pillow lace work,  passed down from mother to daughter, showing the patience and love of which the women of Offida are proud. So much so, that their work can be admired in the splendid Museum of Pillow Lace.

Early in the morning, the aroma of the “Rosso Piceno Superiore” wine invades the streets of this hamlet, perched at 293 metres above the sea level, especially if you take a walk on the morning after “Lu Bov’Fint” (the mock ox),a folk event that characterizes the “Offida carnival”. The event still maintains today the identity of the folk tradition of an entertaining farce and, it takes place in the early afternoon of Friday. According to tradition this event was inspired by the ancient bullfights, evidence of a Spanish influence on our territory.

Offida is also famous for the wonderful church of Santa Maria della Rocca”, built in 1330 on the ruins of a Lombard castle * belonged to the lord of the town, a certain Longino d’Azzone, who,in 1039 donated it to the Benedictine monks of the Abbey of Farfa . It is a magnificent Gothic-Romanesque temple with 14th century frescoes attributed to the “Maestro di Offida”, in the style of Giotto.

To conclude your tour, after a visit to the “Serpente Aureo” theatre, delight  your palate with a visit to the Regional Wine producers Association “Vinea”,  situated in an old medieval monastry, where you will find a fine selection of le Marches Region wines.

A TRIP ALONG THE COAST AND THE SEA

Our winery is situated in the small town of Castel di Lama and therefore just a few miles from the Adriatic coast.

Taking the Salaria road in the easterly direction you will arrive at San Benedetto del Tronto. Its promenade, which is almost 8 kms. long, is richly decorated with palm trees and oleanders that allow glimpses of the shimmering blue sea. The sea-front can be visited on bicycle, thanks to a sunny bicycle track, which leaving Porto d’Ascoli arrives as far as the seaside town of Cupramarittima. If you feel tired you can stop at any one of the numerous beach chalets, many of which offer delicious local food recipes based on fish and seafood.

The centre of San Benedetto del Tronto offers a variety of boutiques for shopping fans, while the more sporty types can have fun at tennis courts, a sailing school and a roller skating track…

Further to the north side of the coast you reach Grottamare, the pearl of the Adriatic. A small, elegant and quiet town, characterized by Liberty style villas facing the sea.

One should not miss a visit to the old high part of the town, which perched on a hill overlooking the sea, beautifully frames the seascape.

Continuing even further north you will find the Castle of Sant’Andrea at Cupramarittima and the Museum of Seashells, which is one of the largest of its kind in Europe; if you wish, you can even continue as far as Porto San Giorgio, stopping on route to explore the charming old hamlet of Torre di Palme.

CASTELLUCCIO AND THE SIBYLLINE MOUNTAINS

Castelluccio is situated in the heart of the Natural Park of the Sibylline Mountains; the park covers an area of 79,31 sq. km. and is one of the most unique landscapes of central Italy.

Mystery and magic have always reigned on the Sybillin Mountains: in the past, * brave knights travelled across these sites with the goal of defying the forces of nature in order to enter into the “Kingdom of the Sybil”. Sorcerers and wizards roamed these mountains, with the aim of gaining access to the fanciful world of these sites.

Our splendid itinerary of the Sybillin Mountains begins passing across Acquasanta Terme, to the direction of Arquata del Tronto with the ruines of the ancient castle. The Castelluccio plains represent the most spectacular part of this itinerary, especially if you go there in the months of May and June, during the flowering of the lentils.

Reaching the pass that rises above the plateau of Castelluccio, you will be surprised by a pure infinite vision: it is the “Large Plain”, an immense grassy basin,* completely flat, surrounded by hills and crowned in the distance by the high peaks of Mount Vettore and the Sybillin Mountains. Rising spirally, with a typical medieval plan, lies the village of Castelluccio, 1452 ms. High above the sea level,which is one of the highest, permanently inhabited centres in Italy.

In the centre of the Large Plain, the road splits up into two branches: to the right leading to Castelluccio and the Valley of the Nera river; * to the left, crossing the entire plain, leading to Norcia, a popular tourist attraction famous for its typical local food and wine specialities and the beautiful church of “San Benedetto da Norcia”.