New Year's Eve group tour for wine and culture lovers: Valpolicella, Soave, Franciacorta and Lugana

Exciting New Year's Eve trip in Valpolicella: discover 4 wine appellations from Amarone to Lugana and cultural highlights in Verona and Brescia

Go on an enjoyable New Year's Eve trip to northern Italy, with an enchanting Wine Relais in Valpolicella as a stylish retreat and starting point for daily discoveries.
Here, amidst rolling hills and romantic vineyards, your journey begins with the great wines of Valpolicella - from Recioto, the sweet classic, to the powerful Amarone, one of Italy's most prestigious red wines. During an initial tasting, you will get to know the diversity of this region and round off the day with an atmospheric wine dinner.

On the second day, the route takes you to the picturesque Soave, a region known for its elegant, mineral white wines. After a stroll through the winding alleyways of the medieval town, a tasting awaits you at a traditional winery, where the special features of Soave Classico are explained - accompanied by local specialties that underline the character of the wine.

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Three magical places, four wine cellars and appellations and countless moments of pleasure - our New Year's Eve trip to Italy will be a blast!

Day three is all about Franciacorta, the home of "Italian champagne". Between gently rolling vineyards, you will visit a renowned winegrower who will introduce you to the art of Franciacorta production. A sparkling tasting of various vintages, accompanied by typical regional snacks, rounds off this enjoyable day.

On the fourth day, you will discover the facets of Lugana wine, which is produced in the southern Lake Garda region. A visit to a family-run winery gives you the opportunity to taste different styles - from fresh and fruity to mature and complex. This is accompanied by a hearty bread snack with regional olive oil. The route then takes you to a traditional oil mill, where you can experience the production of the famous Garda DOP olive oil and taste the aromatic oil directly on site.

In addition to all the culinary experiences, the trip also brings you closer to the cultural side of northern Italy. Exciting guided tours in Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, as well as in the charming old towns of Soave and Brescia allow you to immerse yourself in the history and lifestyle of the region. Enjoy culinary delights in selected Bib Gourmand restaurants or directly from the vintner - always accompanied by the best wines of the respective region.

New Year's Eve trip in Valpolicella directly with the winemaker: picturesque Castrum Wine Relais in Castelrotto

In the heart of Valpolicella Classica, one of Italy's most famous wine-growing regions, on the top of the highest hill in the region lies the village of Castelrotto. Hidden here is Villa Fraccaroli, one of the oldest residences in the region, which has been given a new lease of life with the opening of the Castrum Relais & Bistrot. 


Kastelruth is enthroned on a hill in the middle of the Valpolicella vineyards and is the retreat of our New Year's Eve trip for wine lovers in Italy.

Castrum means castle and the name Castelrotto has exactly the same etymological roots. It is also the birthplace of the famous sculptor Innocenzo Fraccaroli, who was born in 1805 in Villa Fraccaroli, the current headquarters of the wine relais. The building is a jewel of classic 18th century Italian architecture and is characterized by its majestic panoramic terrace, from which you can admire the entire valley and the peaks of the Lessinia mountains.

Our accommodation during the New Year's Eve trip for connoisseurs

The Castrum Wine Relais covers an area of 10,000 square meters and offers 6 rooms and 6 suites, which have been created from the 18th century villa. There is a wine cellar with self-produced wines, the Wine Bar with bistro and a small olive grove, which round off the Borghetti family's little universe.

The Castrum Wine Relais has a fantastic terrace with a picturesque view over the entire Valpolicella Classico region.

Three different room categories fulfill every wish for overnight stays in Valpolicella. Access to the Superior Rooms is from the castle area. They are modernly equipped, spacious and their names represent the rhythm of viticulture: spring, June, August, harvest, drying, secret cellars. The photographs on the walls of the rooms tell the story of the seasonality of wine in Valpolicella. With warm colors and all the comforts for a relaxing stay, you will find your oasis of peace here.

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Room with a view...enjoy views of the surrounding Valpolicella vineyards on our New Year's Eve trip in northern Italy.

The themed suites will enchant you with their special furnishings and murals dedicated to the statues of the sculptor Innocenzo Fraccaroli, who was born in Casa Fraccaroli in 1805 and is the ancestor of the current owner. They consist of a living room with a double sofa bed and a magnificent view of the square and a bedroom with a king-size bed.


Each themed suite is unique and has one-of-a-kind pieces! Art and antique lovers will be in raptures here!

Discover Valpolicella wines and Amarone at the welcome dinner at the boutique winery - day 1

How convenient that you can start your wine tour and tasting directly from the Relais. Like most villas in Valpolicella, Casa Fraccaroli had its own underground cellar for wine production, which is currently home to the Castrum Wine Bar & Bistro. Closer to our time, Giampiero Borghetti's father - Paolo Borghetti - built a new cellar on the estate in the 1980s, which was larger and more modern. Paolo Borghetti was one of the most progressive direct vineyard and wine growers of his time.

Design meets wine at the Giampiero Borghetti winery behind the Wine Relais Castrum.

The Winery Giampiero Borghetti does not produce large quantities, but focuses on the quality of its products, on welcoming visitors, on promoting the territory and its family history in its home converted into the CASTRUM RELAIS agritourism complex. Here you will taste four wines that are emblematic of Valpolicella and are served with a three-course menu: Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC GIUSTIZIA, Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso DOC DAVIDE, Amarone Classico della Valpolicella DOCG ACHILLE and the sweet wine Recioto Classico della Valpolicella DOCG CLIZIA. After the tour, take a seat in the bistro and enjoy your 3-course welcome dinner!

A wine trip in Valpolicella MUST include a wine tasting.

The charm of Soave and its elegant white wines & romantic, epicurean Verona - Day 2

In the morning, we visit the wine village of Soave, known for its excellent white wines. But Soave is also a picturesque wine village framed by a castle and is one of the most charming wine villages in the Veneto region. It combines a long wine tradition with a medieval atmosphere and a beautiful location amidst rolling hills.


The small town of Soave is a real insider tip and also perfect for tasting the region's white wines.

A highlight of the day is the subsequent visit to a family winery. During the "Soave Expressions" tasting, you will experience the different terroirs and wine styles of Soave, accompanied by local specialties. 

Pay attention, because you can win a bottle of award-winning Soave in the quiz afterwards.

Get to know the world of Soave wines during a wine tasting.

The journey continues to Verona, the city of love. On a two-hour city tour, you will discover the Arena of Verona, the Piazza delle Erbe and, of course, the Balcony of Giulietta. After the tour, you will have some free time for an aperitivo or a bit of shopping in the city's elegant stores.


Experience Verona on a culinary city tour.

In the evening, enjoy a 3-course menu in a Bib-Gourmand Osteria. This restaurant combines the traditional flavors of Veneto with modern accents - a culinary experience of a special kind and behind which the star chef Giancarlo Perbellini stands.

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The second evening is an enjoyable one with a dinner at the Bib Gourmand restaurant in Verona.

Unesco World Heritage Site Brescia and Franciacorta - Italy's answer to champagne - Day 3

In the morning, we head to Brescia, a city with a fascinating mix of history and culture. Known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Brescia impresses with Roman ruins, medieval churches and elegant Renaissance squares. The Capitolium, a well-preserved ancient temple area, and the Piazza della Loggia, an architectural jewel of the Renaissance, are particularly worth a visit. During a culinary-cultural city tour, you will learn more about the local gastronomy and the history of the city. Afterwards, you will have time to explore the charming alleyways, cafés and small delicatessens on your own.

In the afternoon, we will travel to the famous Franciacorta region, known for its fine sparkling wines, which compete with the best champagnes in the world. We visit a historic winery that is known for both its high-quality sparkling wines and its unique focus on art.

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Elegance in Franciacorta: discover a historic winery that also has unique art and collector's items. 

The owner family pursues sustainable wine production and has received numerous awards in recent years for its elegant and multi-layered Franciacorta wines. The collection of contemporary art, which is presented not only in the vineyards but also in the historic vaults of the winery, is particularly noteworthy.

The tour begins with a walk through the picturesque courtyard of the historic villa before heading into the 7,500 m² underground wine cellar. There you will be given an introduction to the Franciacorta production method. You will then visit the magnificent halls and the Gallery of Contemporary Art, where works by the renowned artist Remo Bianco are exhibited.

Finally, an exclusive tasting of selected Franciacorta wines awaits you, including Riserva Quor Nature, Rosé Extra Brut and the Riserva Vintage aged for at least 10 years. The wines are accompanied by Grana Padano, homemade crostini with regional salami and fine extra virgin olive oil from our own production.

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Discover the "Italian champagne" Franciacorta with a delicious tasting.

Lake Garda and its treasures Lugana and olive oil, as well as a lavish New Year's Eve dinner - day 4

The fourth day starts with a visit to a Lugana winery on the southern shore of Lake Garda. The family-run winery produces excellent Lugana wines and focuses on sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly practices.

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Lugana in a different guise - our visit to the winery will open up completely new facets of this white wine.

The youngest generation in particular is strongly committed to a paradigm shift that puts Lugana, otherwise regarded as a pleasant drinking wine, in a new light that does justice to the potential of this grape.

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Multiple generations under one vineyard roof paired with a pioneering spirit and passion.

During the tour, you will explore the underground wine cellar and the barrel cellar, admire the impressive barrel vault structure and learn more about the ripening potential of Lugana. To round off the tour, you will taste four different Lugana wines:

- Metodo Classico 36 months
- Lugana Mandolara DOC
- Lugana Benedictus DOC
- Lugana Riserva DOC

The tasting will be accompanied by a selection of regional charcuterie and cheese specialties, complemented by a special tasting of extra virgin olive oil.

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Lugana in four spectacular interpretations - our wine tasting will inspire you!

We will then visit the Manestrini oil mill on Lake Garda, which is known for its high-quality, certified organic olive oils. You can experience the aromas of the freshly pressed olive oil during a tasting.

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The DOP olive oil from Lake Garda is one of the best oils in Italy on our New Year's Eve trip for connoisseurs in northern Italy.

The next item on the program is a visit to a traditional oil mill in Soiano del Lago on the western shore of Lake Garda. Since its foundation in the 1960s, the family has dedicated itself to the production of high-quality extra virgin olive oil. The mill is known for its Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva Garda DOP, which is produced exclusively from the Casaliva, Leccino, Frantoio and Pendolino olive varieties - varieties that thrive in the mild microclimate of Lake Garda and give the oil its characteristic fruity and slightly spicy notes.

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During an olive oil tasting, we get to know the differences between the individual olive oils in more detail.

During the tour, you will gain an exciting insight into the individual stages of production, from harvesting the olives to the gentle cold pressing process, which guarantees the quality of the olive oils. The mill relies on a combination of traditional processes and modern technology to ensure sustainable and first-class production.

After the tour, you will enjoy an exclusive tasting of various extra virgin olive oils.

In the evening, a festive 5-course New Year's Eve menu awaits you in an exclusive restaurant, accompanied by a carefully selected wine pairing and an aperitif. Look forward to a culinary highlight that perfectly rounds off the turn of the year.

Farewell to the wines and delights of northern Italy - Day 5

Today, unfortunately, it's time to say goodbye to our hosts, our fellow travelers and, above all, the delicacies that Veneto (and Lombardy in part) had in store for us every day. But who knows, maybe one or two culinary souvenirs will sneak into the suitcase or trunk alongside countless impressions.

If you would like to extend your stay at Castrum Winerelais, we will be happy to make you an offer.