#ticinomoments 2024

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#ticinomoments
An original cycling tour in the Mendrisiotto leads
to the discovery of Canton Ticino’s quintessential
winemaking region. Through picturesque landscapes,
ancient villages and genuine flavours.
5 REASONS
WHY IT’S
WORTH IT
AN ALL-ROUND WINE EXPERIENCE
We’re in Vacallo, just outside Mendrisio, ready to
throw ourselves into a grape-fuelled weekend.
Some friends have recommended the Conca
Bella Boutique Hotel – Ticino’s first wine hotel.
Everything here revolves around wine. Our room
has ruby-coloured walls and is dedicated to a local
winery with lots of bottles to taste. The hotel wine
cellar features more than 1,100 different labels.
We can’t resist and treat ourselves to a delicious
white Merlot-based aperitif before dinner in the
beautiful little courtyard in front of the hotel.
BIKE&WINE MENDRISIOTTO
In the morning we admire the hilly landscape
covered in vineyards from the window. It’s the
perfect day for setting out to discover the local
area. The tour we have chosen winds its way
through the region’s wine estates and gives us
the chance to taste local wines and produce, all
entirely by bike.
We’re due to depart from Balerna-based Borgovecchio.
Here we meet our two friendly guides
– both volunteers and strictly local – and get to
know the rest of the group. There are only a few
of us, so it doesn’t take long to create a relaxed,
friendly atmosphere.
Having been given bright red bicycles, helmets and
a few bottles of water, we’re ready to get going.
PASSION AND DEDICATION
The Mendrisiotto offers one surprise after another.
Our guides lead us through small villages, past
colourful little houses and narrow alleys, telling
us about the history of the area, its traditions and
a few fun little anecdotes. The vineyards are the
“common thread”, invariably reappearing between
one village and the next. Sometimes they’re on
top of a hill, sometimes on terraced land.
We cycle along with a smile on our faces. Another
short climb and we reach our first stop: the
Trapletti estate in Coldrerio.
Enrico, the owner, is waiting for us. He grew up
here at the vineyard, turning it from a passion
into a career. His enthusiasm is contagious. We
visit the large estate, where the perfect grapes
are well looked after and have also been organic
since 2020.
Enrico has prepared a selection of wines to
taste. We appreciate the characteristics of each
bottle thanks to his invaluable explanations. We
wouldn’t mind staying a bit longer, but our tour
has more to show us. Back on our bikes and we
finally enjoy a bit of downhill.
LOCAL FLAVOURS
The next stop is La Costa in Novazzano. This farm
was converted into a winery, while managing to
preserve its rural appearance. We actually saw
cows grazing freely amidst the vines.
In the charming courtyard of the farmhouse,
an inviting table laden with delicacies awaits us:
fresh cheese and sliced meats paired with wines
from the estate. Here too, we have the chance to
taste, savour and chat with the producer.
When we get back on our bikes it’s almost dinnertime
and the ride past the historic Grotto
Sant’Antonio in Balerna is spot on. So, before
ending our tour, we enjoy some local specialities
in a lively and friendly atmosphere.
REAWAKENING THE SENSES
It’s not possible to leave this region without visiting
the Corte del Vino Ticino in Morbio Inferiore. The
next day, we go for a walk in the Breggia Gorge
Park. The Corte is right at the entrance to the
park, inside the Ghitello mill. This little gem pays
tribute to the region’s more than 1,000 hectares
of vineyards, its centuries-old history and the
many people who have made wine their reason
for existence.
After visiting the cellar, we ask the sommelier
whether we can try a “Blind Wine Tasting”. No
sooner said than done: we find ourselves blindfolded
and ready for an extrasensory experience.
Our senses of taste and smell are reawakened, so
that everything seems amplified. We appreciate
the scent, aroma and flavour of every glass. The
sommelier guides us skilfully, explaining the
characteristics of the different wines. The activity
proves great fun and allows us to discover the
variety and great wealth of wine production in
this corner of Ticino.
The weekend has taught us about an unexpected
region, introducing us to the winemaking tradition,
as well as the history and passion of the
people who live there.
Protip
Did you know that the Mendrisiotto region is
also known as the “Tuscany of Switzerland”?
This is because of the hilly landscape and
the huge concentration of wineries.
For more food and wine experiences:
(mendrisiottoterroir.ch)
TO THE
VIDEO
Discovering the wines,
culture and history
of the Mendrisiotto
region.
The chance to meet
and chat with local
winemakers.
Tasting the area’s finest
food and wine products
and flavours.
Travelling panoramic
routes on comfortable
bicycles: historic roads
and ancient villages.
Experiencing
the versatility of
Ticino’s wine.