Photo © Sigeric - Servizi per il Turismo

The wines of Lunigiana

Traditions to rediscover and surprises with unexpected taste

by Lunigiana

Lunigiana is a land of unique character, dotted with medieval castles and parishes, storytelling villages, enchanted forests and crystal clear waters.

But it is also the land of authentic foods and, unfailingly, fine wines that today can be identified with the Wine Trail of Colli di Candia and Lunigiana.

Here, the particular climatic, environmental and historical conditions have handed down a great variety of grape varieties in the area, both native and imported, but wisely preserved by local tradition and still representing the identity of the area: Durella, Albarola, Vermentino, Malvasia, Lanaiolo, Pollera, Trebbiano, Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo and Merlot are among the most widespread grape varieties along the valley of the Magra River and its tributaries.

Along the Wine Trail

Tasting in Lunigiana - Credit: Sigeric - Servizi per il Turismo

Discovering Lunigiana through the history told by local productions, one recognizes first of all the extraordinary variety of landscapes: sunny slopes looking toward the sea alternate with terraces stretched between wooded valleys and framed by the marble peaks of the Apuan Alps, to vineyards carved out among gentle slopes and misty hills between the valley floor of the Magra and the flanks of the Apennines. Timeless places reachable by the same roads that were travelled over the centuries by pilgrims, merchants and warlords traveling through Lunigiana.

So here, as is often the case, the wines of this land encroach between Liguria and Tuscany with the Colli di Luni DOC, which aggregates the productions of the far eastern part of Liguria with the fine vineyards of Fosdinovo, Aulla and Podenzana.

A little further south, Candia dei Colli Apuani DOC wines are produced in the municipalities of Carrara, Massa and Montignoso.

In addition, the productions of the middle and upper Lunigiana (Pontremoli, Mulazzo, Filattiera, Villafranca in L., Bagnone, Licciana Nardi and Fivizzano), on the other hand, have obtained IGT Val di Magra recognition, with increasingly better delineated characteristics and a remarkable qualitative growth, especially in recent years.

In addition, in recent decades, traditional wines have been joined by new products, made with modern and innovative winemaking techniques that have achieved truly amazing and increasingly appreciated results.

For an immersive and complete experience, you can discover all the wineries on the dedicated website Strada del Vino dei Colli di Candia e della Lunigiana (Wine Trail of Colli di Candia and Lunigiana).