A fountain in Italy made of red wine

Located in the Apennines in Abruzzo, Italy, near Rome, Cantina Dora Sarchese is home to a unique and captivating attraction: a flowing fountain of red wine. Established by local winemaker Dora Sarchese, the Fontana del Vino, or the Free Red Wine Fountain, is the world’s first of its kind. Its aim is to foster an appreciation for fine Italian wine and provide a free tasting of exceptional wines to visitors during opening hours.

The Unconventional Wine Serving Experience

The wine fountain offers a different way to serve and enjoy wine, as the pouring method exposes the wine to more oxygen. This results in a fresher taste and aroma compared to conventional bottled or glass-served wine.

The Location of the Wine Fountain

Situated in the town of Villa Caldari in the Abruzzo region of Italy, the Free Red Wine Fountain has been a unique attraction since the late 19th century. The fountain can be found in front of the historic Stazione train station, which is considered a national monument and a significant point of interest in the area.

Dora Sarchese Vineyard

The Dora Sarchese winery, founded by Dora Sarchese and managed by her family, spans 18 hectares of land and produces 100,000 bottles of wine annually. The vineyard focuses on quality, using organic grapes and modern technology to create high-quality wines at affordable prices for consumers. The winery’s product lines include red wine, white wine, rosé wine, sparkling wine, and dessert wine.

The fountain is an unusual way to serve wine, but it can make for an even better experience than your typical bottle or glass. The pouring method exposes the wine to more oxygen (Jeff Flowers, 2014), giving you a fresher taste and aroma than usual.

Location of the wine fountain

The city of Villa Caldari, in the Abruzzo region of Italy, has been home to a free red wine fountain since the late 19th century. Located in front of Stazione train station and within walking distance from the main square and other points of interest, this unique destination is guaranteed to offer an unforgettable experience for all its visitors.

Did you know? You can take a one-hour train ride from Pescara central station and visit Caldari di Ortona, a small town within the Abruzzo district of Italy. Here you will find Stazione, a historic building erected in the early 1900s to serve as the town’s railway station but still a landmark today.

Italian authorities have declared this beautiful structure a national monument, and it is considered a significant point of interest in the area. This area’s free red wine fountain is located near Stazione street, number 65. The fountain is located just outside Stazione and close to other major points of interest in Villa Caldari. ^[2]

Promoting the Pilgrimage Route

The Dora Sarchese wine fountain was installed to offer refreshment to visitors walking along the Cammino di San Tommaso, a religious pilgrimage route that passes by the winery on its way to Rome and Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The route is celebrated annually in Italy on the last Sunday of May, starting in Rome and ending in Ortona. The event attracts thousands of pilgrims each year who walk along the path once traveled by Saint Thomas Aquinas to visit his beloved Ortona.

Benefits of the Dora Sarchese Wine Fountain

The wine fountain is free for everyone to enjoy, whether they are locals or tourists. A moveable panel above the fountain can be rotated to start or stop the flow of wine. While visitors are encouraged to visit during the fountain’s operational hours, the experience is open to all who wish to partake in this unique and memorable attraction.

In conclusion, the wine fountain at Cantina Dora Sarchese is not only a marketing triumph but also a symbol of Italian hospitality and the promotion of the country’s rich winemaking heritage. The free red wine fountain provides a one-of-a-kind experience for both locals and tourists alike, all while supporting the Cammino di San Tommaso pilgrimage route.

Also read: Wine Tourism in France

The Cammino di San Tommaso is celebrated annually in Italy on the last Sunday of May. The pilgrimage starts in Rome and ends in Ortona, considered one of the most important religious events in Italy. The event attracts thousands of pilgrims annually who walk along the path Saint Thomas Aquinas once used to visit his beloved Ortona.

Benefits of Dora Sarchese wine fountain

Locals and tourists alike are welcome to enjoy the fountain at no charge. The wine fountain is free for all to enjoy, even if you’re not a local. Locals and tourists alike are welcome to enjoy the fountain at no charge. You don’t have to buy anything to take advantage of this offer—it’s free! A moveable panel above the fountain can be rotated to make wine flow or stop flowing. The fountain is open to tourists and locals alike.

However, they are encouraged to visit during those times when the fountain is in operation. The Cammino di San Tommaso pilgrimage route was created to draw pilgrims from around the world. It is a religious pilgrimage that begins in Assisi, Italy, and ends at Montecassino Abbey in southern Italy.

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Reference

^[1] Dorasarchese.it. 2022. Cantina Dora Sarchese | Vignaioli d’Abruzzo. [online] Available at: <https://www.dorasarchese.it/en/homepage/> [Accessed 20 May 2022].

^[2] Dorasarchese.it. 2022. Wine Fountain | Cantina Dora Sarchese. [online] Available at: <https://www.dorasarchese.it/en/wine_fountain/> [Accessed 20 May 2022].

^[3] Dorasarchesevignai.wixsite.com. 2022. [online] Available at: <https://dorasarchesevignai.wixsite.com/dorasarchese> [Accessed 20 May 2022].

^[4] Alcala, C., 2019. Dora Sarchese Winery – Tesori d’Italia Magazine – TesoriMagazine. [online] Tesori d’Italia Magazine – TesoriMagazine. Available at: <https://www.tesoriditaliamagazine.it/dora-sarchese-winery> [Accessed 20 May 2022].

^[5] Cammino Di San Tommaso. 2022. Il Cammino di San Tommaso – Cammino Di San Tommaso. [online] Available at: <http://www.camminodisantommaso.org/il-progetto/> [Accessed 20 May 2022].