One of the most romantic and memorable travel experiences we’ve had to date was celebrating our wedding anniversary at an organic winery on the Amalfi Coast: Le Vigne Di Raito. A private tour and home cooked lunch on the family’s terrace overlooking the Mediterranean? Count us in!
In Honor Of National Wine Day
Since today is National Wine Day, we thought we’d use that as an excuse (as if we needed one!) to share our wonderful experience at Le Vigne with you. And now that Italy is opening back up to tourists, you might want to consider a visit to the Amalfi Coast yourself.
Where Is Le Vigne Di Raito?
Le Vigne Di Raito sits on a steep slope in the small hill town of Raito – a municipality of Vietri Sul Mare, which is famous for its beautiful ceramics and its artist community.
Woman-Owned Organic Winery On The Amalfi Coast
Apparently, “woman-owned organic winery” is not as unusual of a thing in this region as one might think. Not only is Le Vigne woman-owned, but we’ve heard reports that said owner, Patrizia Malanga, was involved in carving this two hundred acre vineyard out of the rock face with her own hands. Badass! This is no commercial vineyard. It’s a family business as well as the family’s home. And when you visit, the family treats you as such.
Wine Tour Experiences At Le Vigne Di Raito
Le Vigne offers a few different options for their wine tours. We went straight for the “vineyard tour and lunch” option, and man did we make the perfect choice! We were picked up by car in nearby Cetara, where we were staying for a few days. A lovely ride through the hills delivered us directly to our sommelier (yeah, we fancy!), who was waiting outside on the road for us. Alfonso took us on a leisurely yet thorough walk through the vineyards and lemon and olive groves. He comprehensively explained everything that goes into the process: from the soil, types of grapes, and how the weather afftects the crops, to the strict requirements for being labeled “Amalfi Coast” wine. The tour continued into the wine cellar where we learned about the barres, the aging process, and had ourselves a little pre-lunch tasting.
Lunch On A Terrace Overlooking The Mediterranean
©Andie Mills
Going from one extreme to the next, we were escorted from the cellar to the magnificent hilltop terrace where we would dine. Words cannot describe how peaceful and gorgeous this setting is. At around eight hundred feet above sea level, the view of the Mediterranean is nothing short of breathtaking. We were welcomed by Patrizia herself and Alfonso began to pour what would be a very (ahem) generous tasting throughout our multi-course, home cooked meal.
All of the wines were absolutely delightful, but our favorite was a 2013 Ragis. We generally prefer reds over whites, and dry (but not too dry). This Ragis was the perfect balance. We also really loved their rosé Vitamenia, and needless to say, a few bottles of each came home with us!
The Meal At Le Vigne Di Raito Is Out Of This World!
The food. Oh, the FOOD! This wasn’t just lunch, this was a gourmet meal, made with fresh, local, seasonal ingredients, in a family kitchen. Burrata, goat cheese with fresh lemon curd, sautéed broccolini, quiche, and of course a pasta course. Dessert, too. We would tell you how many courses it was, but we kinda lost count. Cuz, wine. Hot tip: come hungry. The presentation was impeccable, every course was to die for, and each was perfectly paired with a different wine. We were made to feel right at home and as if we had all the time in the world to enjoy. And the family dogs sleeping at our feet for most of the meal? Swoon! And if we didn’t stress this enough – the view!
©Andie Mills
In Conclusion
Full disclosure, we’re not even close to being wine connoisseurs, therefore we’re not super hard to please. But this anniversary gift to ourselves so greatly exceeded our expectations that we can’t recommend it enough. If you’re planning a trip and looking for an organic winery on the Amalfi Coast, this is your spot. With its amazing wine, food, atmosphere, and hospitality – we believe this genuinely Italian experience will be a day (or evening, if you choose the “dinner” option) you will never forget. We know we won’t.
Hungry for more Italian food? Head here for our Top 7 Must-Try Pizzerias In Naples!
2 Comments
That lunch spot is fantastic! Wow! You are making us want to get back to Italy soon 🙂
It is absolutely stunning! Photos don’t do this breathtaking view and experience justice. We recommend it 1,000%!