In 2014 I had the opportunity to meet Luca Baccarelli and sample the wines of Roccafiore Winery. this magnificent property in person. Fast forward to 2016 when my wish came true on a recent trip to Italy. I have to say viewing images do not do justice to this winery and resort.
In Italian, rocca means rock, and fiore means flower. Rocca symbolizes the solid structure or the rock foundation of the Roccafiore resort and winery that are the mainstay of the property. Fiore represents the beauty of the landscape, vineyards, the fruits it bares, and the flora that surrounds the property. Together they build on what is the essence of Roccafiore. I could feel all this the minute I set foot onto the property.
The Family Behind Roccafiore Winery
The Baccarelli name is a fixture in Italian gas and car racing. They are also heavily involved in renewable green energy, solar, and bioenergy. A love of his native land was what brought Leonardo Baccarelli to purchase the property that is now Roccafiore Winery.
With a zeal for life and its bounty, the Baccarelli Family shared their passion for this land with its breathtaking views by building what is now their winery, resort, restaurant, and spa in this Italian paradise they call home. I sensed this fervor in a very peaceful way as I strolled the grounds. There was something very idyllic that hit me immediately and gave me a sense of admiration for what this family has created.
TheRoccafiore Winery Resort
Leonardo’s passion for cars, design, and modern art comes through in many ways. His enjoyment of cars and racing is evident in the theme of the rooms at the resort. Instead of having numbered suites, they are named after prestigious cars such as Ferrari. Having owned a Porsche, the sports/race car theme intrigued me. In my case, I stayed in the Aston Martin DB5. I felt as if I was entering a James Bond movie since this car was featured in Goldfinger. Would Sean Connery be knocking at my door? My room was one of the larger two-story suites. The décor is Danish modern meets Italy; simple yet elegant for a European-styled resort. Most appealing was the comfy bed.
I found the grounds enchanting. The pool is situated to take in a countryside view with the hillside town of Todi as a backdrop. Although I visited in autumn, I could imagine the outdoor patio full of life during the summer months. The vegetable garden with an olive grove just behind all enhanced the beauty of Umbria.
There also is an indoor pool and spa.
The Art at Roccafiore Winery
A love of art and design permeates the architecture. From the slick line of the stairs to the contemporary art that adorns the halls and restaurant.
You will even find a contemporary collection of uniquely designed wine boxes the Baccarelli’s commissioned artists to create for the winery. This is a must-see at the winery because they are so unique and awesome.
The Restaurant at Roccafiore Winery
Roccafiore’s dining room is a contemporary yet cozy setting to enjoy an Umbrian cuisine. Those with allergies will find the chef very accommodating. This is an Italian farm to table style restaurant with food that reflects the spirit of Roccafiore.
The Winery
Roccafiore is totally organic. Taking a natural approach to winemaking, Roccafiore only uses organic products and avoids chemicals. They produce 100% of the energy required to run the winery with solar power. In addition, they use biofuels in their tractors, practice dry farming to reduce water consumption, use only natural yeasts and harvest the grapes manually. They believe there is a natural solution to every problem, enabling them to grow healthier vines, which in turn produce better grapes.
The utilization of environmentally friendly and sustainable practices shows the extent of the family’s interest in reducing their carbon imprint in winery production, vineyards, and farm through farming.
The winery, vineyards, and wines have European organic certification. Using only native grapes, Roccafiore grows Grechetto di Todi, Trebbiano Spoletino, Sangiovese, Sagrantino, and Montepulciano.
This post is an excerpt from an article I published on Wander with Wonder
To read more of the article Find Enchantment in Umbria at the Roccafiore Winery and Resort