DISCOVERING ROSSO CONERO

"Historical" wine of this land, we found quotes already in Plinius, crossing some of the Benedictine monks documents where treatments based on these grapes are mentioned, up to Giacomo Leopardi; it was born in a beautiful promontory inside Parco del Conero. The nature of this itinerary is extraordinary beautiful, leaving from Ancona is possible to discover all the pearls of the coast as Portonovo, Sirolo and Numana up to Osimo.

ANCONA?

Motorway A 14 Bologna - Ancona-Taranto. Exit: Ancona South, direction Riviera del Conero. Divided into two distinct parts (the historic center on Mount Guasco and the modern part on the coast), Ancona is a city full of charm. Among the major monuments of the city, the cathedral of San Ciriaco, with pink and white marble facade and the Greek cross plan, which dominates the city from the top of the hill Guasco, in ancient times here stood the acropolis of the city (visible some remains). The National Archaeological Museum of Marche, divided into several sections, preserves many remains from the Iron Age and from the civilizations that inhabited the Adriatic coast (Piceni, Greeks and Romans). The Church of St. Maria della Piazza, of Romanesque origin, dating from the eleventh century, Trajan's Arch, built in the second century by Apollodorus from Damascus and the Mole Vanvitelliana, a huge military building designed by Vanvitelli (hence the name) in the eighteenth century.
Wineries to visit:

Azienda agricola Alessandro Moroder      ?Fraz. Montacuto, 121, Loc. Montacuto 60100 ANCONA - (AN) Tel: +39 071 898232 Fax: +39 071 2800367.? The company belongs to the Moroder family since the beginning of the eighteenth century, but in the '80s, thanks to the passion of Serenella and Alessandro Moroder, were introduced new grapes cultivation methods and highly specialized vineyards. High quality products and exemplary hospitality are the hallmarks of the company. The company offers the opportunity of accommodation and dining. Visits every day by appointment.

PORTONOVO? From Ancona follows directions for Camerano, Poggio, Portonovo.? The territory of Portonovo, part of the Conero, a mountain inhabited since prehistoric times, follows its fortunes: Piceno, Doric, Roman, Byzantine, Papal States, France, and finally, Italian. Only a trace of the monastic life that distinguishes this area in the Middle Ages, with hermits in search of silence and solitude, is the beautiful church of S. Maria Roman masterpiece (eleventh century). Along its beach, landing place, and booty area for Turkish ships, you meet significant historical sites: the Tower of Guard erected in the eighteenth century in defense from the pirates, and the Napoleonic Fort, a military bulwark now used as a hotel.

??SIROLO? Continuing south we arrive in Sirolo. The etymology of the city's name probably comes from Sirius, the leader in the wake of Belisarius, which was attributed this territory after the victory over the Goths around 560 AD. In the Middle Ages  was built the fortress as defense from the incursions of barbarians and pirates. Later it became a fief of the Cortesi Counts (eleventh century) Franco-Germanic origin nobles, who, in 1225, gave the Rock to Ancona. In 1038 the same Cortesi gave to the Benedictine the abbey at the top of the mountain, now the Church of St. Peter and the surrounding land. Later the town will become property of the Papal States, under whose rule have been founded the churches  of S. Nicolò and the Church del Rosario.

NUMANA?

Continuing in a southerly direction, just after Sirolo we meet Numana, ancient Piceno port reconstructed by the the Syracusans, from the fifth century BC. The town, already famous at the time of the Athenians had been  goods distribution center inward and towards the middle Adriatic. Then it became a colony and then a Roman municipium; in the Middle Ages gradually decayed due to earthquakes and looting .. In recent years, from humble fishing village has turned into a modern tourist city, still maintaining a good balance with the historical center. Picene culture evidences are preserved in the Archaeological Museum in Ancona and in the Numana Antiquarium, currently only partially opened. Symbol ideas of the town are the tower, the arch of still unknown origins, and the folk and characteristic Costarella alley that in summer is transformed in a natural setting for art exhibitions.?Wineries to visit  ??Fattoria Le Terrazze ?Via Musone, 4 60026 NUMANA - (AN) Tel: +39 071 7390352 Fax:+39 071 7391285.?  Located just south of Monte Conero, just a few hundred meters from the sea, the winery was built in stone in the late ninth century. From a description that made Mario Soldati in 1971, little has changed: new specialized vineyards have been planted, the winery has been endowed with modern and efficient equipment, but the company choice is still the same, production of wines with their grapes to ensure the origin and the typicality. Thus, to more traditional wines, such as Rosso Conero, have been joined others to confirm their wish of modernizing fused with tradition. Visits by appointment.

??CAMERANO? From Ancona, still inside the Conero Park, take the provincial road 2. After about four km climb to the right, continuing along the provincial Cameranense road (number 7) for another four kilometers. The city owe its notoriety to the painter Carlo Maratta, to whom has been dedicated a bust in the central square, Piazza Roma. Inside the square you can see the Manciforte Theatre and Palace. Is well worth seeing the Church of S. Francesco, which can be reached from Central Square going into Via Mentre if we take Via S. Apollinare or via S. Francesco, the church of S. Faustina (which contains a painting of Maratta school and a medallion of the famous painter's daughter) and the Parish Church reachable from the square by Via Maratta. It's 'important to remember that another characteristic of the city is its subsoil, from which runs a network of caves.

?Wineries to visit

Mercante di Oriano ?Via Loretana, 190 60021 CAMERANO - (AN) Tel: +39 071 732050 Fax: +39 071 732455.?Visits by appointment.??Strologo Silvano ?Via Osimana, 89 60021 CAMERANO - (AN) Tel:+39  071 731104 - +39 071 732359 Fax: +39 071 732359. Established more than forty years ago by Sante Giulio, is currently a small family-run winery, Silvano with the help of the oenologist Dr. Giancarlo Soverchia's professionalism, has introduced new facilities and modern methods of cultivation. Visits by appointment.Terre Cortesi Moncaro ?Direttissima del Conero, 47 60021 CAMERANO - (AN) Tel: +39 071 731023 Fax: +39 071 732010.?It consists of three production centers respectively in Montecarotto, one of the most beautiful castles in Vallesina, in Camerano, on the slopes of the Conero Mount, and in Acquaviva in Piceno territory. The company's philosophy, which has always inspired reliability and consistency in the work, expresses the trend towards high quality production, enriched by an important organic production, which indulges the taste of each consumer. Visits: Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 12.00pm / 3:00pm to 6:00pm by appointment. OSIMO?Take the Adriatic Highway 16, direction of Ancona, we arrive in Osimo Stzione. After this, turn left onto the old road to Osimo, and after a series of switchbacks, we arrive at the destination, otherwise it is easily reachable from any other location via the A 14 (exit Ancona Sud) and the highway 361. Rising along the city wall, you reach the Duomo, dedicated to St. Leopardo, and, within the same courtyard is the entrance to the Diocesan Museum. We recommend visiting the Gardens of Piazza Nuova and Piazza del Comune where stands the Town Hall flanked by the Civic Tower and the Shrine of St. Giuseppe da Copertino, with its museum.

Wineries to visit   ??Azienda Vinicola Umani Ronchi ?SS16 km 310 + 400, 74 60027 OSIMO - (AN) Tel: +39 071 7108019 / +39 071 7108716 Fax: +39 071 7108859.? Gino Umani Ronchi founded the first site in the 50s in Cupramontana. In the '70s, after a period in partnership with the engineer Bianchi, the direction of the company passed to his son in law Massimo Bernetti and has been started the construction of two current wineries in Castelbellino and Osimo. Visits: Monday - Saturday, 9:30am to 1:00pm / 4:00pm to 7:30 pm..

LORETO ? Left Osimo and continuing along the Musone river and the countryside we rise to Loreto: just before we recommend a stop in Castelfidardo famous because it keeps alive the accordion production and houses an interesting Accordion International museum with over 150 examples that tell of the history and the evolution, starting from the first craft shop opened in 1963. In Loreto, privileged destination for devotional tourism, there is one of the most famous Marian Shrines of Italy. It's said that in 1929 the House of Nazareth, where Mary lived, was carried by angels in flight on the hill near the river to escape the invasion of Palestine by the Mohammedans. A few years later it was moved to the current Shrine of the Holy House's site, which began in the fifth century and completed in the eighth, with works by some of the greatest Italian artists: Giuliano Sangallo, author of the dome above the house, Giuliano da Maiano, the Bramante, Andrea Sansovino and others. In the gothic interior of the sanctuary, the Holy House, now entirely covered with marble bas-reliefs, holds the statue of the Black Madonna and Child, in cedar wood, St. Mark and St. John's vestries are decorated with frescoes by Melozzo from Forlì and Luca Signorelli. It is advisable to visit the room of the Pomarancio, annexed to the Basilica, with frescoes on the vault, and crucifix on the artist's altar.

Wineries to visit

Casa Vinicola Gioacchino Garofoli ?Via Arno, 9 60025 LORETO - (AN) Tel: +39 071 7820162 Fax: +39 071 7821437.?

The origins of Garofoli Wine House go back in the nineteenth century when Antonio Garofoli, in 1871, had already began the production and sale of local wines. His son Gioacchino continued and expanded the business that his father founded in 1901, Gioacchino Garofoli Wine House. His two sons, Franco and Dante, succeeded him in running the company after the Second World War. Gioacchino Garofoli in 1950 became a company and started a process of strong growth. Following tradition, Franco's sons, Carlo and Gianfranco, joined the family company since the early 70s.
The history of Garofoli Wine House is a story of men and a family that for five generations have  been identified in the wine production world. Always the same philosophy has guided the company: continuous updating of production techniques, but respect for the traditional and historical wine making, attention to the evolution of the market and its needs but loyalty to the value of the peculiarity that the territory traditions have passed. Visits by appointment.

Dining:  Azienda agricola Alessandro Moroder , Fraz. Montacuto, 121, Loc. Montacuto 60100 ANCONA - (AN) Tel: +39 071 898232 Fax: +39 071 2800367.?moroder@libero.it - www.moroder-vini.it?

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