Blog: Katharina's Italy 
Overview
A wine estate in Venetia
A precious jewel set in a legendary landscape - might yet be the most apt definition of La Montecchia, a wine estate which lies just south of Padua and on the borders of a National Park, within easy reach of such cultural meccas as Venice, Vicenza, Verona, Ferrara, Mantua and Rovigo.
The owner of the Montecchia estate, Count Emo Capodilista, a trend-setter in the Veneto, has restored the individual cottages on the estate with flair and modern comfort. Each house has a personality of its own and its own garden where you will want to wine and dine.
Adjacent to the estate lies th La Montecchia golf club which has a pool and a restaurant wich was given a Michelin star in November 2008. The pool is open to guests 6 days a week, from Tuesday to Sunday.
Your busy schedule hunting down the works of famous artists and architects needs to be punctuated by memorable meals at local trattorias, for the best of Italian cooking.
The wine from La Montecchia has increasingly been winning accolades from leading wine critics all over the world, an added attraction for our guests who can freely taste and discuss the production in the estate's wine shop. La Montecchia is a medieval hamlet which grows lively at the time of harvest.
In 2012 the La Montecchia estate fulfilled its dream of exclusively using solar energy, produced by a large number of panels invisible to the eye as they spread out over the flat roof of the wine cellar. Well done La Montecchia!
Grottoes and Falconry: every Monday morning at 9.30am (in summer) or 10.00am (other seasons) on the nearby estate Frassanelle our guests can particpate in a tour of the private park while learning something about the ancient art of falconry. The participants will visit the grottoes and learn the history of Frassanelle and the noble Papafava family. Visits in english.
Photographs of the Estate and the surroundings
Map & Getting there
La Montecchia lies 15 km to the south-east of Padua, bordering the regional park of the „colli euganei“ and very close to cultural highlights as Venice, Vincenza, Verona, Ferrara, Mantova and Rovigo. You will also want to visit this region to see the famous Palladio villas.
- Selvazzano, the nearest village 1 km
- Abano 5 km
- Padua 11 km
- Vicenza 30 km
- Venice 53 km
- Asolo 65 km
- Ferrara 80 km
- Verona 85 km
- Bologna 120 km (1h15m)
Activities & Places of interest
- The immense cultural whealth and variety of Venetia is the main reason for visiting this area. Montecchia's strategic position makes for many an inspiring day trip to Padova, Venice, Vicenza, Verona, Ferrara, lake Garda as well as Este, Montagnana, Monselice and Arqua' Petrarca in the immediate vicinity.
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The Venetian Villas
The hinterland of Venice is famous for the numerous villas (apparently more than 3.000) built between the 15th and the 19th century by whealthy venetians. Some of them are open to the public, for instance Villa Barbaro in Maser, Villa Emo in Fanzolo, and the Villa La Rotonda ust outside Vicenza. Other interesting villas are the villa Valmarana with frescoes by Tiepolo, the Catajo castle and villa Barbarigo which has a baroque garden with boxwood labyrinth. -
The main cultural landmarks of northern Italy
Montecchia’s strategic location makes easy day trips to Padua, Venice, Vicenza, Verona, Ferrara, lake Garda, Este, Montagnana, Monselice, or Arqua’Petrarca. Each of these towns offers highly interesting sight-seeing. In Padua you will not want to miss „Cappella degli Scrovegni“ with wall to wall frescoes by Giotto. This work of art is considered to be the beginning of the Renaissance. The Pinacoteca of Padua also has the Emo Capodilista collection on show which was given to the Museum by the family, one of the oldest of Padua. -
The Spas at Abano
The town of Abano Terme lies 2 km from Montecchia. In Abano water rich in minerals rises to the surface at a temperature of 70° to 80°C. A half or full day at one of the many spas is a wonderful way to recuperate your inner strength. -
The wines of La Montecchia
The wine from La Montecchia has increasingly been winning accolades from leading wine critics all over the world. In 2008 their wine Donna Daria was awarded the highest Italian qualification, the „tre bicchieri“ (three glasses) of the guide Gambero Rosso Slow Food.
Guests can taste and buy the wines of La Montecchia on the premises (special rates for guests).
Prepare your trip
Prepare your trip by downloading more info about the estate, the area, sights, shopping facilities, sports, beaches, restaurants and trattorias, wineries and literature references.
Download more info about the estate and the surroundings
Sports
- Adjacent to the Montecchia estate is an 27-hole (18+9) golf course designed by Tom McCaulay, Chairman of the British Association of Golf Course Architects.
- Two further 18 hole golf clubs are in the near surroundings. The Golf Frassanelle and the Golf di Padova are both at a distance of 15 minutes by car.
- A tennis club lies only 1 km down the road from La Montecchia.
