Do you love wine and want to learn more about this noble crop and taste some of its finest productions? Come to Cattolica in autumn: November is the best month to arrange a visit to some of the most fascinating wineries near Cattolica.
But did you know about a historical curiosity related to wine in Cattolica? The rooms of the precious Museo della Regina (Museum of the Queen) bear witness to the special vocation of this generous land: the amphorae preserved in the museum are precious reminders of how wine was stored. Since ancient times, wine produced from vines grown behind the city was transported in terracotta vessels from kilns located at the mouth of the Tavollo River.
The bay of Cattolica was a convenient harbor already in the 3rd century BC, active along the ancient trade routes. It’s a hilly area of rare beauty and cultural richness, full of stories and little-known parts of history waiting to be discovered.
2 Wineries you must visit near Cattolica
After exploring the fascinating history of Cattolica and its ancient connection to wine, if you appreciate the robust and intense flavors of Romagna wines, we recommend two wineries you must visit near the city for a day of wine tasting and discovery.
Tenuta del Monsignore, 10 minutes from the center of Cattolica
Following the road to San Giovanni in Marignano, the ancient granary of the Malatesta family, after passing the town center, you take an uphill road, and soon you will find one of the region’s top wineries: Tenuta del Monsignore, owned by the Bacchini family.
The second oldest winery in Italy and the world, after the Antinori winery in Florence, it has been documented since 1385. For 19 generations, this family has maintained a privileged relationship with this land, making it the cornerstone of their grape production. They create excellent wines with aromas and flavors that speak of the sea breeze, misty humidity, and warm winds from the mountains. These wines are so prized that they are exported worldwide, no longer in amphorae as 2,000 years ago, but in glass bottles.
The vineyards on the hills offer a breathtaking landscape—one that you can enjoy with a fine glass of wine in hand.
Ottaviani Family Winery, 15 minutes from the center of Cattolica
Heading towards Morciano di Romagna and then to San Clemente, you’ll find the Ottaviani family farm, known for their precious wine. Founded 60 years ago by Enio Ottaviani, this winery is younger than Tenuta del Monsignore, but the quality of its wines is outstanding. The family-oriented nature of the business allows them to create wines that carry the history of all those involved. The wine becomes a valuable tool for understanding, a catalyst for social connections that form around the winery. The Ottaviani family loves to share the story of their business with visitors.
Monsignore and Ottaviani are just two of the many wineries in the area, all within a few kilometers of Cattolica, that enhance and protect the land through their excellent wine production.
Also be sure to visit I Muretti, Tenuta Mara, and the Franco Galli Winery—all are easily accessible from Cattolica.
Looking for more autumn experiences in Cattolica? Check out “From Cattolica to the Discovery of Romagna’s Chestnut Groves” to combine a winery tour with a chestnut harvest adventure.