The northern Italian region of Trentino, which stretches from the tip of Lake Garda to the Dolomites, was named Wine Region of the Year 2020 by Wine Enthusiast magazine.
In receiving the award, Trentino was described as 'one of the most dynamic, multifaceted, quality terroir-driven wine producing areas in the world today'.
Trentino has 164 wineries, many of which welcome guests and double up as wine-stays, each housing a handful of traditional bedrooms, farm-to-table dining and a family-style welcome.
These include :
Agriturismo Salizzoni, Vallagarina
Between the Renaissance cities of Rovereto and Trento, Vallagarina wine country is known for its Marzemino wine.
Marzemino is the slightly sweet red wine with a characteristic dark tint, and was one of Mozart's favourites.
In his Don Giovanni opera, the main character cries out, Pour the wine! Excellent Marzemino!
Agriturismo Salizzoni is a vineyard with six comfortable bedrooms, situated on the River Adige cycleway that connects the area to both Verona and Lake Garda.
The winery's agriturismo, described as a 'bed and break-wine', is a five-bedroom farmhouse overlooking the vineyard where guests are welcome to assist the winemakers as they harvest.
Maso Grener, Pressano
The Maso Grener winery and agriturismo in Pressano, in the Avisian Hills, maximises on the areas characteristic red soil.
The soil originated from underlying sedimentary rocks formed about 240 million years ago, with layers of red sandstone, dolomite and limestone and forms a terroir ideal for cultivating
Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Pinot Noir grapes.
With the winds that blow from both Lake Garda and the Dolomites, the vines receive just the right amount of ventilation to ensure their health.
Maso Grener has six bedrooms in addition to a self-contained annexe called 'Il Rustico' which accommodates bubbles of four.
With five hectares of vineyard, Agriturismo Salizzoni's wines are refined in small oak barrels in the wine cellar before being bottled.
Guests are encouraged to sample the house wines each evening along with platters of traditional Trentino delicacies, such as the hard Trentigrana cheese.
Eredi di Cobelli Aldo, Sorni
Further north beyond the city of Trento, the Eredi di Cobelli Aldo winery is located on a terrace between two of Trentino's alpine valleys.
Eredi di Cobelli Aldo has been producing wine for 150 years, with the winery's Trento DOC,Trentino's traditional sparkling wine, made using hand-selected grapes to ensure they meet the exact standard required for this local speciality.
Trentodoc is made using the same slow and careful method used to make Champagne, and enjoys delicate bubbles and an elegant taste.
Trentodoc was the most awarded sparkling wine in Italy at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships 2020.