The Cinque Terre were born and developed thanks to wine and the work of farmers, who over the centuries have terraced thousands of hectares of land and transformed the landscape, thus making the fortune of these small 5 villages. Today we can savor the fruit of that hard work, comfortably seated at a table overlooking the sea. It is nice to keep in mind, at the first sip, the commitment of those who work the land and thus give us this experience.
In this list we have collected the most relevant wine bars and wineries in the area of which we have personal and direct experience, which we feel strongly to recommend.
Riomaggiore
A Pié de Ma
This is one of the best vantage points in the Cinque Terre, where you can stop for a tasting and also for lunch or dinner based on fresh fish. The wine bar boasts a very rich selection of Cinque Terre wines, described in a more generic way on the placemat and in more detail verbally by Barbara and Chiara, your hosts. If you find a peaceful moment, jump in and take a table, they will be able to give you more accurate explanations and dedicate more time to you.
The menu offers a tasting of 4 local wines with a taste of focaccia for € 20.00.
There is no need to book.
Location: after leaving Riomaggiore station, go left and follow the signs for Via dell’Amore. A Pié de Ma is 2 minutes from the station.
TASTING WITH WINEMAKER at sunset
Vineyards overlooking the sea and Triple A wines: in the wonderful scenery of the Cinque Terre near to Riomaggiore there is a landscape and an enological reality that is not at all trivial, born from the dedication of its winemaker, Heydi, a native of Riomaggiore. The result of his extreme dedication to work, his respect for tradition and continuous research, will not stop to continuously surprise us: first with a breathtaking scenery – an entire hillside descends abruptly from about 250 meters to the sea. From this very particular context, special wines are created that transmit the true character of tradition, including the sweet sciacchetrà and white wines that give salty sensations combined with the perfume of Mediterranean scrub. Then new wines, the result of experimentation … including a rosé and a red, all organic production.
Tours are available on Wednesday and Sunday at 5pm, last about 2 hours and cost € 72 / person. More info and possibility to book here.
Book here: Wine tasting in the vineyard at sunset
Manarola
Cantina sociale – Groppo
At its headquarters in Groppo (Riomaggiore)—built in 1982 with the same materials used in vine terracing—the Cantina della Cooperativa Agricoltura delle Cinque Terre is the area’s major winery that guarantees a high level of investment in the most modern vinification technologies.
The view from the coast is not very panoramic from here, and the tastings are always carried out inside.
From April to October and December: Offers guided tours of about 1 hour to the cellar and tasting of final products in the shop: tasting in a glass of only Sciacchetrà € 7.00, 3 dry wines € 8.00, two dry wines + Sciacchetrà € 12 .00. Cost of the visit included in the tasting price. In the low season it is better to call first to check availability.
Location: the winery is located in Groppo, above Manarola. From La Spezia city center follow directions for the Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Volastra Loc. Groppo, about 20 km.
By train (www.trenitalia.it) or by ferry (www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it), get off at Manarola and proceed by foot towards Groppo (uphill hike, around 40 minutes). There is also a bus service from Manarola to Volastra Loc. Groppo run by the La Spezia ATC (check timetable here: ATC 800 322322 – www.atclaspezia.it)
Pie de Campu
A Pié de Campu was born with the desire to offer special and unprecedented experiences in the Cinque Terre, carried out by professionals and experts of wine (sommelier A.I.S.), by expert of Ligurian cuisine and profound connoisseurs and lovers of the territory. A.i.s. Professional sommelier since 2007 and Best Sommelier of Liguria 2012.
In short, at Pie de Campu an experience out of the ordinary is expected. In fact, you will have the opportunity to have a guided visual and taste-olfactory sensory tasting of 3 local wines, accompanied by olives and focaccia. All accompanied by an unmissable visit to a historic cellar closed to the public.
Location: located in the upper part of Manarola, near the car parks, it does not have a view but the wine bar-restaurant overlooks a delightful garden. If you decide to stop for dinner you will not regret it, focaccia are something not to be missed, impossible to find the same thing elsewhere!
To consult availability and prices and book:
Book here: Sensorial wine tasting with sommelier
Zio Bramante
If you are in Manarola but you want something faster and more informal, you can stop at this historic winery, now a wine bar, where you can have a quick meal and also listen to good music. Frequented by the locals, at 5 pm it’s tasting time: 3 local wines including a white, a red and the famous Sciacchetrà, all accompanied by local snacks and explanation by Gabriel, the manager. Cost 18€.
However, you need to book, you can do it directly here below and show up on the spot ready to sit down and … taste!
Closed on Thursday, view on the main street of Manarola … a few steps from the sea.
Book here: wine tasting Zio Bramante
Vernazza
Cheo
CheO is a winery that bears the name of an ancient local family and since 2004 has returned about two hectares of traditional terraces, abandoned or at risk of abandonment, to the cultivation of vineyards from which it produces a range of DOC wines, in addition to the fine local passito called Sciacchetrà. The location is wonderful and you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Vernazza.
A special tasting room has recently been inaugurated, open every afternoon (from April) after 2pm and reservations are recommended: Standard tasting of 3 wines + focaccia costs € 20.
If you’d like to visit the winery it is necessary to book and you can do it in the late morning or late afternoon with groups of at least 7 people.
Location: the winery is located two hundred meters from the station on the mountain side: go up along the main road and upon reaching the post office, turn left and take the road that goes up, after 50 meters there is the CheO winery.
Monterosso
Enoteca Internazionale
The Enoteca is located in one of the main streets of the historic center of Monterosso, it is both a wine shop with resale of national wines, especially local and Tuscan wines, and a bar / restaurant.
From mid-March to early November, an outdoor area opens, here you can sit down and accompany the glasses of wine with cold dishes and excellent bruschetta: salted anchovies from Monterosso, bruschetta with pesto, cold cuts and cheeses, carpaccio and salads.
It offers a wine tasting of only Monterosso winemakers. You will taste a conventionally produced Cinque Terre DOC white wine, then a traditionally produced white wine and finally a Sciacchetrà, price 18 € per person.
Reservation required. It is possible to do it here.
Book here: wine tasting Enoteca Internazionale
Buranco
If you have some time and you like a rural but elegant setting, you can try a tasting at the Buranco farmhouse and wine producer, nestled in the hills of Monterosso.
You can choose a vertical tasting of all wines (2 whites, one red and the sciacchetrà) + limoncino, a total of 5 glasses, with pairing of bruschetta with pesto and anchovies, vegetable pies and final sweet cantuccini at a price of 35€ per person, the time for this type of tasting is from 12 to 18.
Reservation recommended.
Location: The farmhouse is located not far from the historic center of Monterosso and is surrounded by greenery. From the Church of San Giovanni Battista continue on the main street on the left and always keep the left. You will arrive in a few minutes.
You may like also reading: The best restaurants in Cinque Terre
Author: Rosalba Carlino/Arbaspàa
