The Roots of Prosecco and Karst Region

Nearly everyone has tried Prosecco at some point, but very few have had the wonderful opportunity to see the small village from which the legendary wine inherited its name. Although its finest forms are made in the vineyards of Veneto, this wine originates from the small, scenic town of Prosecco in Friuli Venezia Giulia, near the city of Trieste and the Slovenian border.

The delicious Glera grape is grown in the village of Prosecco, now a suburb of Trieste, which is where Prosecco was originally conceived. Your adventure for the day will have you delving into the well-kept secret that is the beauty of the region. Discover this under-explored region, hear all about the history of Prosecco and gain an appreciation for the most historically significant vineyards, before visiting an exceptional winery to try some of the most renowned sparkling wine in all of Italy.

From here, continue your exploration to the medieval village of Stanjel, which was one of the first communities in the Karst Region, loved for its medieval ancient village center and its awe-inspiring sweeping vistas. The village sits atop a scenic hill, where you can easily see some its most famous structures over sweeping vistas. The castle complex, defense walls, Church of St. Daniel, surrounding village and the Ferrari Garden are the most notable architectural points of the old settlement. The village has changed in appearance over the centuries, but it has always maintained the spirit of the Karst.

The town gets its name from the patron Saint Daniel, offering an interesting cultural heritage. During both world wars, Stanjel was uniquely influenced by architect and mayor at the time, Maks Fabiani. He preserved the essence of the village while using his creative finesse to rejuvenate the newly renovated public structures. Fabiani's most notable work in Stanjel involved the restoration of Ferrari Villa and the design of the extraordinary Ferrari Garden park, lauded as the most significant park landscaping in Slovenia from the inter-war period.

Throughout this wonderful tour you will have the opportunity to try local delights of the Karst region, including dry-cured ham, cheese and local wine. This well-rounded tour is the perfect option for a stop in Trieste, sign up today and don't miss out.

Please Note: All guests are required to carry their passports with them on this tour as you will be crossing the Italian/Slovenia border.