A small geography tutorial if you please: the northern Italian town of Reggio Emilia lies south of Lake Garda, just west of Modena, smack in the middle of Emilia Romagna – culinary-wise one of the world’s most prominent regions (we may have mentioned that a few times already). Home of the Parma ham, the Aceto di Balsamico Tradizonale, Parmesan cheese and, to top it off, one of the best restaurants in the world, the Osteria Francescana lead by star chef Massimo Bottura (who is also a member of Pretty Hotels with his Casa Maria Luigia).
Just south of Reggio Emilia nestled in a hilly landscape there are a few wineries that have been there just shy of forever. One of the most famous is the Venturini Baldini winery. Even before getting there the heart of every seeker of romance kicks up a notch: a seemingly endless drive through the vineyards leads up to the estate from the 17th century.
Once you reach the top you reach an ensemble of several elegantly renovated houses. A restaurant, a swimming pool. Open yards, a terrace with a view of the Emilia hills. Another historic building houses a balsamic vinegar factory with 500-year-old wooden barrels. Traditional balsamic vinegar is stored here, which you can of course sample and buy in the shop.
The hosts
On around 130 hectares of farmland, Julia Prestia (originally from Vienna) and her husband Giuseppe produce fine organically certified wines (″Venturini Baldini”), olive oil and Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale. To accommodate the growing number of visitors and guests, they opened the Roncolo 1888 with a total of 18 rooms after extensive restoration work in 2019.
In the two neighboring houses of the villa, Dimora Ancini and Dimora Acetaia, we found twelve simple, but very cosily furnished rooms. And in the Villa Manodori at the end of the stately estate, there are another six beautiful suites. What immediately stands out is the quality of the bathrooms, floors and beds. Everything here is of a very high standard. The suites in Villa Manodori are even more spacious and somewhat more elegantly furnished to honour the heritage of the former hunting lodge. You live among real art frescoes, paintings, expensive furniture from renowned brands such as Molteni and antiques by Gio Ponti and Vico Magistretti.
The best thing about this estate is that anyone staying at Roncolo 1888 is living with the winegrowers on a 130-hectare vineyard. The “factory” of the Venturini Baldini winery is part of the estate. If you want, you can even watch the wine being produced. Of course, there is also a tasting room where you can try all of Venturini Baldini’s wines and vinegars. Our favourite: the Spumante Metodo Classico.
CULINARY
The restaurant, the Limonaia, deserves a special mention. It also serves as the centrepiece of the estate. Breakfast is served here in the morning. Fine dining at the highest level is served at lunchtime and in the evening. What’s on the menu? Modern interpretations of specialities from Emilia Romagna, elegantly prepared and cooked with local ingredients. Accompanied, of course, by fine wines from the region and – if you like – sustainable Lambrusco from the restaurant’s own vineyard.
If it’s not too hot, you can sit outside on the terrace and look out over the beautiful vineyards and nature.
Ideal for
Relais Roncolo 1888 is the perfect place for food and wine lovers who want to enjoy quiet luxury. There are countless good places to eat around the small village, and the cities of Modena (45 minutes) and Parma (40 minutes) are always worth a visit. The estate is also the perfect place for all motor fans, Maranello and the Ferrari Museum are only half an hour away. The sea at Forte dei Marmi is just a two-hour drive from here.
Combine with
We would recommend a culinary trip – with Casa Maria Luigia in Modena, Il Casale Denari and La Sosta di Ottone III. The combination of Villa Arcadio on Lake Garda and Roncolo 1888 is also a beautiful one.
Prices
Doubles from 395 euros including wine- and Balsamic vinegar tastings and of course the lovely breakfast.
Booking & Contacts
Roncolo 1888
Tenuta Venturini Baldini
