Castello di Montecavallo, Villa Era and La Malpenga, three historical jewels united by viticulture and set among the picturesque vineyards and lush hills of the Biella region, open their doors and cellars on the occasion of the first edition of "Dimore di Vino."

In collaboration with FAI and Vigliano Biellese European City of Wine, on Sunday, October 6, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy an immersive and unexpected experience that will transport them to other eras for a day, with wine playing the starring role. In addition to wine tasting, in fact, "Dimore di Vino" will offer visitors a program of guided tours and master classes on wine, viticulture and history, discovering the centuries-old tradition of Biella wine and these mansions.

"Dwellings of Wine" is an unprecedented journey through the vineyards and cellars of historic residences, designed by these three entities to celebrate the wine culture of their area and let the Biellese public discover the richness and quality of its wines, surrounded by nature and architectural beauty.

The program is designed to offer visitors cultural activities, masterclasses and tastings throughout the day. Castello di Montecavallo will organize two masterclasses dedicated to the world of wine - one on winemaking processes from 1800 to the present and one on the art of tasting with a Nebbiolo vertical - as well as a guided tour of the park with Arboriculturist. Villa Era will guide visitors on an immersive tour of the villa and the holistic library - containing more than 3,000 volumes on the subject - the organic vineyards and the park, discovering its rich history of wine production. There will, of course, be no shortage of opportunities for visitors to taste wines from these wineries: both Castello di Montecavallo and Villa Era will offer tastings of their labels throughout the day in a direct access formula. Malpenga will offer a lecture in the morning by Michele Colombo and Domenico Calvelli on the winemaking tradition of the Vigliano Hill over the centuries, and in the afternoon a tour of the garden and vineyards accompanied by the owners. Unlike the other two mansions, La Malpenga will only be accessible for the two events at scheduled times, with reservations required.

THE THREE MANSIONS AND THEIR CELLARS:

Montecavallo Castle was born with wine. This enchanting setting will offer visitors the chance to experience and touch two centuries of viticulture, from the 1800s to the present. Its hillside was home to vineyards and a military fortification from the 13th century. In the 1930s, the castle and old winery were built on the ancient ruins, while the entire hill was replanted with new vineyards and landscaped with a garden. The new winery, now in the former stables, produces four labels of Nebbiolo.

Nestled along the picturesque Biella hill system stands Villa Era, from the ancient rural core transformed into an elegant residence in the late 1800s. The Villa is surrounded by the lush greenery of the garden that borders the centuries-old vineyard, now cultivated biodynamically, forming an amphitheater whose

beauty will take event attendees' breath away. His new winery, opened in 2022, now produces three Nebbiolo labels.

Villa La Malpenga, from the early 1800s, dominates the entire hillside of Vigliano Biellese, and its vineyards historically covered the entire slope. Already an icon in the area for its vegetable gardens and experiences
food and wine, after a hiatus in production from the 1970s onward, La Malpenga has also recently resumed growing various clones of Nebbiolo for the production of Coste della Sesia. The first label is scheduled to be launched in 2024. 

EVENT DETAILS:

"Abodes of Wine" October 6, 2024

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry at 5:30 p.m.)

FAI ticket allowing access to all 3 mansions: offer 5 euros

Wine tastings: 2 tastings 10 euros at Castello di Montecavallo and Villa Era

Masterclasses and guided tours: free of charge with limited seating, registration required on-site at the mansions on the day of the event

More information on the official website of the FAI and on the Instagram pages Mansions of Wine , FAI Biella Delegation e FAI Youth Biella

FULL PROGRAM:

Attached is the PDF with the full program

Press Office Serena Schellino: s.schellino@castellodimontecavallo.it