4.7(276 Reviews)

Guided Winery Tour & Wine Tasting Near Lake Maggiore

  • 1h 30mDuration
  • English, ItalianSpeaking Guide
  • Mobile ticketAccepted

About this experience

Duration1 hour 30 minutes
Group SizeSmall Group
Starts AtMaggiora
LanguagesEnglish, Italian
Castle Winery Experience near Lake Maggiore

Castle Winery Tour and Tasting in the Volcanic Hills of Maggiora

From ancient volcanic soils to your glass — a journey through Piedmont's most distinctive wine heritage


This castle winery tour near Lake Maggiore invites you to step inside a living monument to Piedmontese winemaking, where volcanic origins, historic architecture, and family tradition converge in a single, unhurried visit. Guided by the winery's own staff, you will trace the full arc from vineyard to bottle across rooms that have witnessed decades of patient craft.

The winery sits among the pink porphyry hills of Maggiora, a landscape shaped by an ancient volcanic caldera whose mineral character passes directly into every wine produced here. The castle itself was built in the early 1960s as the concrete expression of one man's vision — Ermanno Conti — and has evolved into a working estate that balances deep respect for tradition with a clear appetite for experimentation.

A walk through the Time Corridor, the estate's modest on-site museum, reveals historic bottles and antique tools that document how winemaking in this corner of Novara has changed and endured in equal measure. The barrel cellar that follows offers a cooler, quieter counterpoint, where time slows to the pace of ageing wine.

The tasting that concludes the visit presents four wines rooted in Nebbiolo and rare local varieties, accompanied by artisanal toma cheese and raw salami. Each pairing is chosen to illuminate the mineral depth and aromatic range that volcanic terroir produces — a sensory argument for why this small appellation deserves wider attention.

Tour Highlights

Explore a castle-winery built in the 1960s, combining active wine production with historic architecture and an on-site museum.

Walk the Time Corridor, a curated collection of historic bottles and traditional winemaking tools that document generations of local craft.

Taste four distinct wines, including a pure Spanna Nebbiolo, a long-aged Boca DOC, and a rare blend from identity vineyards cultivated using the traditional alla maggiorina method.

Discover the influence of volcanic porphyry soils on flavour and minerality — a geological story told directly through the wines in your glass.

Pair each wine with artisanal toma cheese and raw salami, two local products selected to complement the character of Novarese winemaking.

Learn about grape varieties, agricultural techniques, food and wine pairings, and the production process in an accessible, conversation-led format.

Tour Itinerary

1
Welcome and Castle Grounds Introduction

Arrive at the Conti winery in Maggiora, set against the volcanic hills that define this unique terroir. Your guide introduces the estate's history and the vision behind the castle-winery built by Ermanno Conti in the early 1960s.

2
Time Corridor Museum and Production Areas

Walk through the Time Corridor, a small museum housing a collection of historic bottles and antique tools that trace the evolution of local winemaking. Continue into the active production areas to observe how tradition and innovation coexist in the same space.

3
Barrel Cellar Visit

Descend into the barrel cellar, where long-aged wines rest in quiet darkness. Your guide explains the ageing process and the role that volcanic mineral soils play in shaping the final character of wines like the Boca DOC.

4
Guided Wine Tasting with Local Pairings

Take your seat in the tasting room for a structured tasting of four wines: Origins Rosso, Spanna Colline Novaresi, Boca DOC, and Elixir. Each wine is paired with artisanal toma cheese and raw salami, with guidance on flavour profiles, grape varieties, and pairing principles provided throughout.

What Is Included

Included

  • Guided tour of the castle-winery, Time Corridor museum, and barrel cellar
  • Tasting of four wines: Origins Rosso, Spanna Colline Novaresi, Boca DOC, and Elixir
  • Artisanal toma cheese and raw salami pairings
  • Expert guidance from the Conti family staff on grape varieties, terroir, and production

Not Included

  • Transportation to and from the winery
  • Additional wine purchases beyond the tasting
  • Gratuities for guides

Important Information

This tour is rated Easy and is suitable for visitors with no prior wine knowledge. Please inform the host of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance.
Duration
1 hour and 30 minutes. The pace is relaxed and conversational throughout the visit.
What to Bring
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for moving through cellar and production areas. No specialist equipment is required.
Cancellation Policy
Please refer to the booking platform's cancellation terms. It is advisable to cancel or modify your reservation as early as possible if your plans change.
Accessibility
Some areas of the winery, including the barrel cellar, may involve uneven surfaces or steps. Guests with specific mobility requirements are encouraged to contact the host before booking.
Age Range
The wine tasting component is reserved for guests aged 18 and over. Younger visitors may join the guided tour portion subject to host confirmation.

Reserve Your Place on This Tour

Spaces on this castle winery experience are limited to keep the tasting intimate and the conversation genuine. Secure your visit to one of Piedmont's most distinctive volcanic wine estates today.

Book Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need prior wine knowledge to enjoy this tour?▼
No prior knowledge is required. The tour is rated Easy and the tasting is led in a friendly, accessible style designed for curious visitors at any level of experience.
Which wines are tasted during the visit?▼
The tasting covers four wines: Origins Rosso, Spanna Colline Novaresi, Boca DOC, and Elixir. All are produced on the estate from Nebbiolo and other local grape varieties grown in volcanic soils.
Is food included in the tasting?▼
Yes. Each tasting is accompanied by artisanal toma cheese and raw salami, two local products chosen to complement the flavour profiles of the wines presented.
How far is the winery from Lake Maggiore?▼
The Conti winery is located in Maggiora in the province of Novara, positioned in the hills near Lake Maggiore. Exact travel times will depend on your point of departure within the lake region.
Can wines be purchased after the tasting?▼
The estate includes a sales room where guests can purchase bottles directly following the visit. Wine purchases are not included in the tour price.
What is the alla maggiorina cultivation method mentioned in the tour?▼
Alla maggiorina is a traditional vine training system historically used in the Novarese hills, where multiple stems are trained up a central support. It is a labour-intensive technique associated with old vineyards that the estate works to preserve.
Wine TastingPiedmont WinesCastle WineryLake MaggioreNebbioloBoca DOCVolcanic TerroirNovara WineFood and Wine PairingWinery TourItalian Wine ExperienceMaggiora
Last updated: 2025-07-01 | Product ID: castle-winery-maggiora-lake-maggiore

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