The area surrounding Villa Zuccari, in addition to the famous wines of Montefalco, has excellent extra virgin olive oil. We are able to arrange tours and tastings at the finest olive mills and the most famous wineries of Montefalco, just a short drive away. For further information and reservations, please send an e-mail at hotel@villazuccari.com We will get back to you as soon as possible.

The hills around Villa Zuccari and Montefalco, to the south of Perugia in the heart of Umbria, represent the richest and most varied grape-growing and winemaking district in the region. The vinicultural tradition of the district originated in the Middle Ages through the work of the Benedictines, who put waste land into cultivation and planted some of the most ancient and typical Umbrian varieties. One of them is the celebrated Sagrantino, which is said to be of local origin, although many other hypotheses have been advanced to explain its appearance at Montefalco. Some experts say it was brought to the district by the first Franciscan friars, who planted it throughout the area. Others still argue that it was imported from Spain, although it might also have been introduced by the Saracens. Sagrantino yields an excellent red wine as well as an aromatic beverage made from dried grapes that is considered one of the finest dessert wines of central Italy. In the Renaissance, the wines produced in the area were sufficiently appreciated that they were served at the tables of popes and governors. In succeeding centuries, they maintained their reputations, although often only on a local level. With the receipt of the Denominazione di Origine Controllata in 1980, upgraded to Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita in 1993, these wines took on new life, for that recognition assured them sales on the domestic as well as foreign markets.

Tasting notes of the Sagrantino dry:
Colour: Deep, almost black, ruby red, which turns into garnet with the aging of the wine.
Aroma: Aromatically sensational, with notes of ripe fruit and hints of spice and vanilla transcended from the barriques.
Taste: Potent, soft and velvety with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
Serving suggestion: Typically served with roast meat, game, spicy cheese and international dishes.

Tasting notes of the Sagrantino Passito (sweet):
Colour: Deep ruby red with tinges that turn to violet
Aroma: Intense with a strong ripe fruit, wild berries and dried fruit
Taste: Sweet, with a pleasant aftertaste of citrus and liquorice
Serving suggestion: Perfect with traditional Umbrian pastries, but it can also be enjoyed by itself

The Umbrian extra virgin olive oil is ideal on toasted bread (bruschetta), salads and on vegetables seasoned with "pinzimonio" dressing. Best served with barbecued meat, vegetable and bean soups. Besides, it is particularly suitable for dressing Mediterranean dishes. The abundance of polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants, makes this product unique, nutritious and healthy. Recent medical research suggests that extra virgin olive oil protects the human body from oxidation and from cellular ageing.

Assisi-Spoleto Hills
The "Umbria" Protected Denomination of Origin (D.O.P.) quality seal accompanied by the geographic indication "Assisi-Spoleto Hills" is reserved for extra virgin olive oil obtained from the following olive varieties: no less than 60% Moraiolo olives; no more than 30% Leccino and Frantoio olives, contained on their own or together. The oil may also contain up to 10% of other olive varieties Olives destined for the production of this extra virgin olive oil are grown in the following municipalities in the Region of Umbria: Gubbio, Gualdo Tadino, Assisi, Spello, Valtopina, Foligno, Trevi, Sellano, Campello sul Clitunno, Spoleto (the area located east of the Flaminia State Road n. 3), Scheggino, S. Anatolia di Narco, Vallo di Nera, Cerreto di Spoleto, Preci, Norcia, Cascia, Ferentillo, Terni, Stroncone.

Martani Hills
The "Umbria" Protected Denomination of Origin (D.O.P.) quality seal accompanied by the geographic indication "Martani Hills" is reserved for extra virgin olive oil obtained from the following olive varieties: no less than 20% Moraiolo olives; no more than 80% S. Felice, Leccino and Frantoio olives, contained on their own or together. The oil may also contain up to 10% of other olive varieties Olives destined for the production of this extra virgin olive oil are grown in the following municipalities in the Region of Umbria: Acquasparta, Spoleto (the area located west of the Flaminia State Road n. 3), Massa Martana, Todi, Castel Ritaldi, Giano dell'Umbria, Montefalco, Gualdo Cattaneo, Collazzone, Bevagna, Cannara, Bettona, Deruta, Torgiano, Bastia Umbra.