Category Archives: Italian Wines

13th Century Tuscan Castle in Northern California

Posted on May 25, 2019 by John Compisi

Castello di Amorosa, literally, ‘Castle of Love’, is the brain and love child of Dario Sattui. The Castle, not visible from Highway 29, is located on a ridgeline just south of Calistoga on the western side of the highway. An … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult Beverages, Amazing Sights, Barrel Tasting, Day Trips, Flights, Flights California USA, Flights North America, Italian Wines, Napa Valley, Wine Country | Leave a comment

Fabulous Valpolicella – Our Most Excellent European Adventure: Part 2

Posted on July 14, 2018 by John Compisi

After our delightful and brief visit to Lugano (see Part 1), Switzerland, we motored on through Lombardia, Italy toward the amazing wine country of Valpolicella. Along the way we stopped for lunch in Bergamo (less than 2 hours drive from … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Amarone, Italian Wines, Italy, Lombardy, Travel, Valpolicella, Veneto, Wine, Wineries | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lugano Switzerland – Our Most Excellent European Adventure: Part 1

Posted on July 11, 2018 by John Compisi

We just returned from nearly a month in Europe. The next series of posts will highlight our travel adventures and offer tips, tricks and recommendations on our favorite ways to enjoy these amazing locations in Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Amazing Sights, Italian Wines, Switzerland, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Tasting Barolo in the Piemonte – the Langhe

Posted on February 17, 2018 by John Compisi

The Langhe is a hilly area in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. It is famous for its wines, cheeses, and truffles—particularly the white truffles of Alba. The countryside remains largely agrarian and is highly regarded for its vineyards which produce, predominantly, Nebbiolo grapes … Continue reading →

Posted in Barbaresco, Barolo, Italian Wines, Italy, Piemonte, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Mangiare, bere vino e essere felici! Eat, drink wine and be merry!!

Posted on November 27, 2012 by John Compisi

A recent trip to Puglia, (the Italians call Apulia), and an even more recent wine event in San Francisco highlighted the advances being made in quality and marketing of these complex and interesting wines.  Puglia is bounded on the east … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian Wines, Italy, Uncategorized, Wine | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Summer in Winters – Hot Time in the OldTown

Posted on May 22, 2012 by John Compisi

As mentioned in a recent post, Winters, a small city of about 6500 people in southwestern Yolo County is a place to see and be seen.   First settled in 1842 and subsequently established as a town in 1875 she finally … Continue reading →

Posted in Day Trips, Italian Wines, Uncategorized, Wine, Wine Country, Wine Events, Wineries | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Magic at Groto de Corgnan – Valpolicella

Posted on November 8, 2011 by John Compisi

The Groto de Corgnan was briefly mentioned in a recent blog titled Lombardia to Veneto and Verona.  In that blog a promise was made to return to the subject of the Groto and its proprietors Giorgio and Martina Soave, the magician and his … Continue reading →

Posted in Amarone, Italian Wines, Italy, Restaurants, Valpolicella, Veneto | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Lombardia to Veneto and Verona

Posted on September 27, 2011 by John Compisi

If you’re keeping track, we just left Lago di Como and are enroute to vicinity Verona in the Veneto.  We knew that Bergamo was on our route and we planned to stop there for an early afternoon snack before continuing … Continue reading →

Posted in Amarone, Italian Wines, Lombardy, Restaurants, Valpolicella, Veneto, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

From Sonoma to Lombardia

Posted on September 22, 2011 by John Compisi

As I indicated in “About”, although Sonoma is my usual happy writing venue, a major exception is when my photog (wife) and I venture to Italy which is where we have been for the past two weeks.  Two wonderful but … Continue reading →

Posted in Amarone, Barbaresco, Barbera d' Asti, Barbera d'Alba, Barolo, Italian Riviera, Italian Wines, Italy, Liguria, Lombardy, Modena, Parma, Piemonte, Uncategorized, Valpolicella, Veneto, Wine, Wineries | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments