Itinerary among the Zibibbo towns of Calabria

We are in the province of Vibo Valentia, an unspoilt corner of the region close to the nature reserve WWF Lago Angitola where the flamingos gather undisturbed.

Francavilla Angitola, a few steps from Pizzo and the Coast of the Gods, grows very special white grapes with a history stretching back centuries. Here, there is a local vineyard that has revived the area's natural vocation and turned it into a landmark, so much so that the zibibbo it produces has been named by the English magazine Decanter as one of the top 20 Italian white wines.

Staying on the Coast of the Gods we come to Brivadi, a little hamlet of Ricadi, at 130 m above sea level. The view of the Capo Vaticano headland is spectacular. 

Here, a local vineyard produces wine from several native vines, including five versions of zibbibo: still, macerated, ancestral, classic and oxidative. All are produced from the same grape, but with very different results.

Also near Lake Angitola and the unspoilt WWF Oasis, in Filadelfia there is another vineyard that produces its own zibibbo, showcasing this extraordinary grape variety.

In the Tropea hinterland, in the hamlet of Brattirò in the small municipality of Drapia, you will see expanses of farmed fields and vineyards overlooking Capo Vaticano and Tropea. The ancient agricultural traditions of this area date back to the Greeks, who built ditches to allow rainwater to flow towards the sea instead of towards the town.

Here, you will find a winery that produces an excellent zibibbo and offers visitors a sensory journey through its vineyards.

Continuing south, we arrive at Costa Viola, north of Reggio Calabria. This area overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Strait of Messina. The rows of vines and terraces overlooking the steep drop to the sea is truly a beautiful sight. 

It is here, in Bagnara Calabra, that a small winery is reclaiming abandoned land to produce wines from indigenous grape varieties. One of its flagship products is zibibbo.

Our tour ends in San Floro, a delightful town already famous for its focus on the rediscovery of silkworms and ancient grains. Here, since 2018, a small vineyard has concentrated heavily on white grapes in order to produce its dry, 100% pure zibibbo.