The Enoteca di Montevecchia was created as a wine tourism project aimed at promoting the Terre Lariane IGT consortium, a denomination that stretches from the Upper Lake Como area to the rolling hills of Brianza. The picturesque village of Montevecchia, surrounded by vineyards and terracing, has become a symbolic capital of the region’s winemaking. In a charming cobbled square framed by two 18th-century villas and overlooking two representative vineyards of the Terre Lariane, a long-awaited project has finally come to life: a place where wine lovers and restaurateurs alike can discover, taste, and purchase local wines.
The wine shop has a dual purpose: to enhance the rich winemaking heritage of the Terre Lariane and to offer all the consortium’s labels in one easily accessible location. Currently, 24 out of the 28 member producers are represented on its shelves. Retail sales are complemented by a program of events, guided tours, and tastings by appointment. Experiences range from introductory tastings of four wines to more structured journeys through six selections, always accompanied by local products such as cured meats, cheeses, honey, and artisanal preserves. Recently, the wine shop has also begun offering vineyard tours followed by tastings of the more than 90 available labels—an increasingly popular wine tourism experience.
The Terre Lariane IGT denomination is remarkably diverse, with two main production areas defined by distinct geology and climate. In Montevecchia, the calcareous marl soils and wide diurnal temperature variations lend the wines intense aromas and pronounced sapidity. In the Upper Lake area, volcanic soils, a lake-moderated climate, and constant breezes result in fresh, mineral-driven wines. The vineyards, often terraced or on steep slopes, demand manual, artisanal viticulture and are frequently the product of landscape restoration efforts—bringing renewed life to breathtaking areas that had been neglected for decades.