Veneto, Naturally Gourmand

The offer la Botte Piccola has the pleasure to present is especially tailored for a gourmand public who wishes to discover an unknown Veneto:

Venice Rialto Market with a unique chef and wine expert who will take you to its best food dealers, a natural wine maker with an appetite for experimentation and possibly one of the best distillers in the world.

As usual La Botte Piccola has selected for you an original event in for you to discover an ancient Italian tradition that is deeply rooted in the history of Venetian Republic.

The special occasion for a visit in Veneto is the Chess Game in Marostica.

The story of the Chess Game dates back to 1454 when Marostica belonged to the Venetian Republic.

It happened that two noblemen, Rinaldo D’Angarano and Vieri da Vallonara, fell in love with the beautiful Lionora, daughter of Taddeo Parisio, who was the Lord of the Marostica’s castle. As was the custom in that time, they challenged each other to a cruel duel to win the hand of Lionora.

The Lord, not wanting to make an enemy of either suitors or loose them in a duel, forbade the encounter in conformity with Cangrande della Scala’s Edict. He decided the two rivals should play a chess game.

The game should take place on the square in front of the Lower Castle on a feast-day with armed living persons carrying the noble ensigns of Whites and Blacks.

He also decided the challenge should be honoured by an performance of armed men, fool-soldiers and knights, with fireworks and dances and sounds.

This event is repeated today just like the first time, in a framework of sumptuous costumes, multi-colour banners, martial parades, exquisite elegance.

The show, with over 550 characters, last about 2 hours.

The occasion is a “not to be missed” one, and it is a good excuse to spend three enjoyable days for touring Veneto, visiting its traditional restaurants and “bacari” and tasting good wines and spirits.

During this exclusive trip you will have the occasion to spend some time with an outstanding and exceptional “vignaiolo”, that will host you in his castle, and will have the chance to discuss with him over his decision to make wine in amphorae, with no added sulphites and no filtration.

During the visit to the farm and during the tasting it will be possible to comprehend the way the family works.

Back to nature! Nurture the vine and make wine the traditional way. Back to humanity too, listening to the clues given by “Mother Nature”. In the vineyard there is no use of chemistry, no use of selected yeasts during the wine making process.

During this Gourmand three days it will also be possible to visit an exceptional distiller.

Vittorio “Gianni Capovilla” is world wide recognized as one of the best, if not the best, distiller in the world.

Emigrant mechanic, then technician for one of the leading industries making materials for oenology, has decided to dedicate himself to distillation.

He has got a weakness: fruits. He dedicates himself to an utter research of his ingredients that, in most cases, are so rare to be threatened with extinction. The search for these ingredients takes him from Romania to Vesuvio, from Val Venosta to Champagne. Technique and heart at the service of nature, used to extract the quintessence, the purity.

We have selected for you the best local and traditional “inns”, where to discover the ancient traditions of Veneto, in historical and noticeable places, in more modern wine shops where to have “mouth watering” “cicchetti”, and other specialities.

Your experience in the Rialto Market and in the best Venice “bacari” to test wine and “cicchetti” will be guided by a great traditional chef, and wine expert Mauro Lorenzon “l’oste del vin bon”.

During the half a day you will be spending with Mauro, you will have the chance to discuss profusely over natural wines and how oenology has deeply changed wine nowadays.

La Botte Piccola has also planned for you a visit to discover Padua and its two Unesco Patrimonies.

Your trip will include a visit to the stupendous Capella degli Scrovegni, Giotto’s Masterpiece, The Botanic Gardens, Unesco Patrimony, dated 1545, the most ancient University Botanic Gardens of the world, and a sightsee of the historical centre of Padova.

In Padua area you will be hosted by the natural wine maker and will be sleeping in a marvellous apartment inside the Castle located in the property.

In order to grant you comfortable and relaxing transportation La Botte Piccola has included in you trip a mini van with a driver.

The offer is valid for a group of 6 people.

Accommodation is in double room, in apartments inside the castle

The offer as follows:

– Friday arrival at Venice airport where the driver will be picking the guests up ad will be taking them with the Mini Van to the first Restaurant in Bassano del Grappa; Visit to distillery and at night Chess Game in Marostica

– Saturday special visit to Venice Rialto Market, “bacari” and dinner in the “enoiteca” Mascareta

– Sunday tasting and visit at the “vignaiolo” in the morning, visit of Padova. Dinner in a wine shop in Padova

– Monday departure

Prices include

Bed and breakfast accommodation (in Friday 12th September, out Monday 15th September)

Restaurants listed (menu à la carte, wines excluded)

All transfers in mini van

Tourist guide in Padova

Special Tourist guide in Venice

Entry at museums (Botanic Gardens, Cappella degli Scrovegni)

Testing

The offer is valid for a group of 6 people.