The Colli dei Longobardi wine tour

Food, wine and relaxing in the countryside just a short distance from Brescia: this is the experience offered by the Colli dei Longobardi Wine Tour, which travels from the city to the start of the plains to the south-east; from Monte Netto, and the little towns of Capriano del Colle and Poncarale, as far as Rezzato, Castenedolo, and Montirone.

The area has a long-standing wine-making tradition and is renowned for the production of various different wines including the famous Capriano del Colle DOC, as well as hand-cured meats, which keep the traditional farming culture alive. Let’s learn about all the things to do, eat and drink along the way!

1. What to see on the Colli dei Longobardi Wine Tour

The tour starts on the slopes below Brescia Castle with the Vigneto Pusterla, an estate of almost four hectares, making it the biggest urban vineyard in Europe. Beyond being a rare example of urban agriculture, it is probably the world’s only extensive cultivation of Invernenga grape, a white berry grape that today gives rise to the prestigious Bastione Pusterla wine.

The tour then moves along the plain towards Pontegatello, know as far back as the Middle Ages for the first hospice for wayfarers, later transformed into a tavern, and Azzano Mella, property donated by Charlemagne to the Monastery of San Salvatore in Brescia in the 11th century.

From there, the tour moves towards the gentle hills of Monte Netto and Capriano del Colle, which continue today to combine peace and tranquillity with a long history evident in the great country houses, castles, and watchtowers. The picturesque roads that wind among the vineyards are ideal for relaxing walks or bike rides.

Travelling east, the tour passes through Flero, Poncarale, Montirone, Castenedolo, Rezzato, Botticino, and finally Montichiari, in a succession of local delicacies, historic villas, and medieval settlements.

Other unmissable attractions include:

• Museo del Marmo di Botticino (Botticino Marble Museum) for a fascinating look at the history of the marble quarries and marble production;
• PinAC – Pinacoteca di Rezzato gallery, museum, and early childhood research centre.

2. Typical products

Of the many typical products enjoyed on the Colli dei Longobardi Wine Tour, the place of honour goes to a local wine made with Barbera, Incrocio Terzi, Marzemino, Merlot, Sangiovese, Schiava Gentile, and Trebbiano Lugana: Capriano del Colle DOC.

Other excellent wines include Botticino DOC and IGT ‘Ronchi di Brescia’.

Some participants of the Wine Tour also sell cured meats, cured sausages, honey vinegar, and Valverde honey, along with the already-mentioned Pusterla jams and grappas.

3. Cycle tourism routes

There are no less than six cycle tourism routes for enjoying this charming region to the full.

From the ring route connecting Mount Maddalena with Botticino, to the country path along Chiese river, Colli dei Longobardi Wine Tour offers routes suitable for both experienced cyclists and family outings.

The routes are .gpx tracked.

4. Other food and wine experiences

Want to learn about other experiences offered by local wineries and farmers? Visit the Experiences Section and choose the ones that best suit you!