Spello Wine & Truffle Lunch: A 2025 Review & Guide

So, you’re thinking about a trip to Umbria, right? And, like, you’ve probably heard it’s called the “green heart of Italy.” Well, I can tell you that it’s more than just green; it’s honestly full of flavors and stories. I mean, we just checked out this wine tasting lunch over in Spello, a small town that’s just seriously pretty, and I wanted to share what it was actually like. At the end of the day, you want to know if these things are worth your time and money. It’s pretty much a day dedicated to some of the best things Italy has to offer, you know, local wine and those famous truffles. We were a little bit curious to see if it lived up to the descriptions, and frankly, we were not disappointed in the slightest.

First Impressions of Spello: A Town That Feels Special

Okay, so arriving in Spello is, you know, quite something. The town is kind of built up on the side of a mountain, Mount Subasio, which is the same one that Assisi is on, by the way. So, you get these really amazing views from almost everywhere. Honestly, the streets are these tiny, winding lanes made of cobblestones that just go up and up. We often had to just stop and catch our breath, but actually, it was a good excuse to look at the flower pots. Seriously, the locals put pots of flowers everywhere, and it creates this sort of unbelievably colorful scene against the old stone buildings. It’s pretty much like walking through a postcard, I mean, every corner you turn presents another photo opportunity. You can just tell people here really care about their little town. The air here, in a way, feels different—cleaner and very fresh. Anyway, finding the meeting point was surprisingly easy, which is a good thing when you’re dealing with streets that were clearly made before cars were a thing.

As a matter of fact, the sense of history is just everywhere you look. You see these ancient Roman arches and walls, sort of mixed right in with medieval houses. For example, the Porta Venere is this massive gate that has been standing for ages, and it’s right there at the entrance to the old town. You walk through it, and you sort of feel like you’re stepping back a few hundred years. It’s a bit of a surreal feeling, but in a very good way. The people we passed were, you know, saying “buongiorno” and just seemed genuinely happy to see visitors. It’s not like some of those bigger tourist cities where you kind of feel like you’re just another face in the crowd. Here, it felt more personal, almost like we were being welcomed into their community for a day. At the end of the day, that feeling makes the whole thing just so much better.

The Welcoming Atmosphere at the Winery

Next, we got to the winery, which was just outside the main part of town. Now, you should know this isn’t some huge, corporate operation; it’s basically a family-run place. And frankly, you feel that difference right away. The person who greeted us was one of the owners, and his warmth was, you know, so apparent from the first handshake. He didn’t just give a script; he was just talking to us, sharing bits about his family’s history with the land. He showed us the vines, which were, like, neatly lined up and stretching across the fields with the Umbrian hills in the background. It’s a view that is just absolutely peaceful. There wasn’t any rush, which was a nice change of pace. I mean, it was more or less like being invited over to a friend’s house for lunch, a friend who just happens to make some really, really good wine.

I mean, what’s really special here is the feeling that you’re part of something authentic. You’re not just a customer; you are, in a way, a guest in their home, sharing in a tradition they are very proud of. That is something you can’t just buy.

Anyway, he walked us through the cellars, which were cool and smelled of damp earth and aging wood. He pointed out the different barrels, explaining what was inside each one and, you know, how long it would sit there. It’s actually fascinating to see the process up close like that. You get a much deeper appreciation for what goes into a single bottle of wine. It wasn’t a stuffy presentation at all; it was a conversation. We could ask whatever questions we had, and he was, like, totally open to answering them. At the end of the day, his passion for winemaking was obvious, and it’s kind of infectious. You just can’t help but get excited about what you’re about to taste.

The Wine Tasting Session: A True Umbrian Selection

So, then we sat down for the tasting itself, and this was, you know, the main event in a way. The table was set up on a beautiful terrace overlooking the valley, which was just stunning. There were about four or five different wines for us to try, and they were, like, all local varietals. For instance, we started with a Grechetto, which is a really popular white wine from this region. It was so crisp and refreshing, especially on a warm day. Then, we moved onto the reds, including a Sangiovese and, of course, the famous Sagrantino. Seriously, the Sagrantino is this really bold, powerful red wine that is pretty much what this area is famous for. He explained how to look at the color, how to swirl the glass to open up the aromas, and what flavors to look for. He did it in a way that was really easy to understand, so you didn’t have to be a wine expert to get it. He’d say things like, “you might get a bit of cherry from this one,” and sure enough, you could actually find it.

What I really liked is that they weren’t stingy with the pours. It was a proper tasting, you know, so you could really get a good sense of each wine. We were also served some bread and their own olive oil, which was, honestly, unbelievably flavorful. The oil was this vibrant green color and had a slightly peppery finish. Dipping the fresh, crusty bread into that oil and then taking a sip of wine… well, it’s a pretty much perfect combination. As we tasted, he shared stories about each vintage, like how a particularly sunny year made one wine more robust. It’s those little details that really make the whole thing stick with you. It’s almost like each wine had its own personality and its own story to tell, and we were just there to listen.

Discovering the Magic of Umbrian Truffles

Now, let’s talk about the truffles, because that’s the other half of this amazing day, right? Basically, before the lunch was served, they brought out this little platter with some fresh black truffles. Just to be honest, the smell that hit the table was just incredible. It’s this very earthy, pungent, and totally unique aroma that fills the air. I mean, there’s nothing else quite like it. They explained a little about how truffles are found, talking about the trained dogs and the special connection they have with the truffle hunter, or the *tartufaio*. It’s a tradition that goes back generations, and it’s a huge part of the local culture and economy here in Umbria.

We got to sample the truffle in a couple of simple ways first. For example, they had some cheese that was infused with truffle, and a bit of truffle paste spread on toast. This was, you know, a really good way to get your palate accustomed to the flavor profile. The taste is as intense as the smell, in a good way. It’s savory and complex, and it just sort of takes over your senses. Seeing a whole, fresh truffle and then tasting how its flavor can completely transform a simple piece of bread is a really cool thing to witness. It definitely built up our anticipation for the main meal, because we knew that whatever was coming out of the kitchen was going to feature this amazing ingredient. At the end of the day, it’s this element that really separates this from just a standard winery lunch.

The Lunch: An Unforgettable Feast

Finally, it was time for the lunch, and honestly, it was a full-on meal, not just a few small bites. The main course was a homemade pasta, and it was just spectacular. The pasta shape was *strangozzi*, which is sort of a square-shaped spaghetti that is very typical of Umbria. It was cooked perfectly, you know, with a little bit of a bite to it. The sauce was a simple one, I think made with butter and a touch of cheese, which was a brilliant move because it didn’t overpower the main star. Right there at the table, they came over with a fresh truffle and a special shaver and just covered our pasta with delicate, paper-thin slices of black truffle. Seriously, watching those little black flakes fall onto the warm pasta was almost as good as eating it. Almost.

Of course, we had wine to go with the lunch, and the pairings were just perfect. The red wine we had, a Montefalco Rosso, was a fantastic match for the earthy pasta. Every bite of food followed by a sip of wine was, you know, a little slice of heaven. After the pasta, they brought out a platter of local cured meats, like prosciutto and salami, alongside a selection of regional cheeses. Each item had a unique flavor and story. To be honest, we were getting pretty full by this point, but it was all too good to stop. The whole meal felt very relaxed and social. We chatted with the other people at our table and with the host family. It was more than a meal; it was a celebration of good food, good wine, and good company. You couldn’t ask for a more genuine Italian experience, really.

• Wear Comfortable Shoes: So, Spello’s streets are steep and cobbled, you know? Definitely choose practical footwear for walking around town.
• Come with an Appetite: Seriously, this is a multi-course lunch. Don’t eat a big breakfast, because you’ll want to enjoy every single bit of the meal.
• Ask Questions: The family who runs this is, like, a treasure trove of information. Be curious and ask them about the wine, the truffles, and their life in Umbria.
• Bring a Camera: I mean, between the town of Spello and the views from the winery, you will take a ton of pictures.
• Pace Yourself with the Wine: The pours are generous, and the wine is excellent. Just, you know, take your time and enjoy it responsibly, especially if you have to drive later.

Read our full review: 2025 ‘Wine Tasting Lunch in Spello with Truffle Tasting’ Full Review and Details
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