Castello di Spessa Golf & Wine Resort

Luxury Golf & Wine Resort

Story

Perched on the top of a gentle hill, Castello di Spessa stands as an elegant landmark in the heart of friulian Collio.

Its origins date back to the 13th Century, but several records hint to the passage of the Romans since as back as the 3rd Century a.d. For centuries, the manor house has been the residence of the friulian aristocracy: for example Dorinbergo, Rassauer and Della Torre Valsàssina (this family was descendant of Charlemagne and owned the castle for more than 300 years).

Over the centuries, illustrious people stayed here: Lorenzo Da Ponte – who was Mozart’s librettist –, the Duke Emanuele Filiberto of Aosta, and in 1773 Giacomo Casanova, the celebrated writer and adventurer, whom a prize is dedicated to. Casanova website

Finally, in 1987, the Castle and the surrounding vineyards were acquired by Pali family, who gave new life to the site and developed a complex named Castello di Spessa Resort.

Rooms

The castle’s elegant bedrooms (various measures from 30 to 46 sq.mt) are furnished with original restored furniture form the ‘700 and ‘800. Each room has details that make it different from the others: the color of the upholstery, furniture, chandeliers ... little particulars that make them unique.

The rooms are equipped with every comfort (such as air conditioning, free wi-fi, satellite TV, safe, minibar, hair dryer) and all of them offers a view on the golf course, the park or the vineyards.

Restaurants

La Tavernetta al Castello

Tavernetta al Castello is located at the foot of the hill, it is a well-known restaurant and hotel with ten rooms. Here you can feel the traditional atmosphere of the old country homes, surrounded by quiet and green hills: an invitation to relaxation, sports and good food.

Upstairs there are ten rooms with a country chic atmosphere, equipped with every comfort.

Hundred seats divided in three rooms. The “Fireplace’s Room” is a refined and private corner, particularly appreciated for its atmosphere, especially on cold evenings when the typical fogolâr is lighten up.
The “Frescoes Room” because of its elegance, as well as the “Veranda” for the landscape, are perfect for weddings and special events, and during the summer the patio invites people to linger at the table in the fresh shade.

Chef Antonino Venica explores traditions, seasons, dishes and tastes in its imaginative way.

The fish arrives daily from Grado Lagoon, the flour for bread and pasta is chosen directly at the mill and you will always find the Gigi d'Osvaldo smoked raw ham, as well as the rare radicchio Rosa di Gorizia, that grows up only in this area.

Cooking Courses

On request our chef Antonino Venica will reveal the secrets of his art during his cooking courses at The Tavernetta al Castello or in the ancient kitchen. His sympathy will make even the hardest recipe more easier: home-made pasta, bread and other delicatessen will be easy for everyone.

Hosteria del Castello

A little relaxing break at the Hosteria del Castello, direct on the golf course, will be a joy: for your eyes because of the amazing landscape, and for your palate, because of the tempting menu proposals, that matches perfectly with our wines and spirits.
Hosteria del Castello is not reserved only for golf players, we welcome all those who simply want a peaceful interlude accompanied with good food and wines in one of the most enchanting corners of the Collio area.

La Boatina

Surrounded by the vineyards from where DOC Isonzo wines come, La Boatina is a country inn with five rooms that offers a great view, and it is the ideal base for your wellness, sport and relaxation holidays.
“La Saletta del Gusto”, the comfortable restaurant, offers a a typical cuisine, matched with wines and spirits by the Castle. Here you will feel like home.

On the ground floor, the restaurant offers typical friulian cuisine.
It is an ideal place for business lunches as well as for ceremonies and events, but also for a drink in company. During the winter evenings the typical fogolar (fireplace) heat up the atmosphere, and in the summer the picturesque terrace allows you to enjoy yourself in the lush garden.

The country inn provides a selection of typical products from Friuli as well as the wines and spirits branded Castello di Spessa.

Castello di Spessa

Weddings, gala dinners, special events, are managed by the kitchen staff of Tavernetta al Castello. Our chef Antonino Venica will give his memorable touch to any event, building step by step with you the menu.

On request it is also possible to book a guided tasting of Castello di Spessa wines (DOC Collio and DOC Isonzo), even matched with a typical products buffet (min. 20 people).

Nice aperitifs and welcome drinks may be organized in the ancient Cellars, making your event unique.

The Wines - A Great Future Guaranteed From the Past

Loretto Pali and Barbara Borraccia, respectively owner and main referent for the Castle of Spessa.

Loretto Pali’s wine adventure began back in the seventies when he purchased the La Boatina, a winery in Cormòns - Isonzo wine zone, followed by Castello di Spessa in Capriva del Friuli, the historical wine estate in the Collio Goriziano.

With more than 80 hectares of estate owned vineyard, a production system equipped with the most modern technology and an annual production of more than 450.000 bottles, Castello di Spessa winery has become a point of reference in the Friulian wine world.

Involved first hand in the management of the cellar, thanks to his “doc” Friulian entrepreneurial spirit, Loretto Pali has been able to establish a passionate and competent entourage, taking advantage of the expertise of trade professionals, who over the years have helped him to realize his dream.

“Friuli is the land where I was born. I personally know its most enchanting places, the hospitality of its people, its history, art and its food and wine heritage that have been appreciated the world over” Loretto Pali

The 30 hectares of the Castello di Spessa estate stretch over the gentle hills of the Collio D.O.C. area, in the D.O.C. Friuli Isonzo Area there are the 55 hectares, vineyards with a noble tradition, whose wines have been notably mentioned since the 16th century.
From grape harvesting to vinification, tradition and innovation all make the flavours of our wines unforgettable to the taste. Here grow the most ancient and noble local and international varieties: Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Verduzzo, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, and from whose comes also the “Cru”, special aged wines which are refined in the medioeval cellars under the thirteenth-century castle, eighteen meters underground.

The Historical Cellars

The wines of Friuli are influential “ambassadors” of extraordinary wine culture and this excellence is recognised and appreciated. Castello di Spessa promotes and spreads this tradition worldwide: every year our products successfully “speak” about our wonderful area.

Our cellars for wine ageing, the oldest of the Collio area, are located in the castles basement and constructed on two levels: the oldest is dated back to the 13th Ct.: once it was used for the wine production, and now it is a barriquerie; the second level, 18 meters under the earth, is an old military bunker built in 1939 by Italian army, discovered during renovations. Thank to the constant temperature of 14°C, here age our prestigious red Cru wines and the Grappa Riserva del Conte, aged for more than 20 years.

The ancient cellars are the right place for aperitifs and wine tastings related to the events held in the Castle.

Guided Tours and Wine Tastings

Since the 14th Century, the wines of the Castle were described as "excellent quality wines" even by Casanova in his memoirs.

The tour begins with a projection of about 10 minutes in which the resort and wines are presented, and continues through the old water tank in which a special reserve is stocked. Finally you go down to the old military bunker from where you can exit in the secular park, for a stroll along the path dedicated to Giacomo Casanova through shady trees and balconies adorned with statues: 10 stages marked with quotes by Casanova about love, women, friendship, life.

Besides, on appointment you can take part of a wine tasting, to discover the DOC Collio and DOC Isonzo wines and the spirits distilled from Spessa’s grapes.

Wine Shop Casanova

In the renewed wine shop you can buy Castello di Spessa DOC Collio and DOC Friuli Isonzo wines and spirits, along with some typical products of Friuli Venezia Giulia. The estate vineyards surround the manor and join the golf course. Famous since the second half of the fourteenth century, the wines here produced were described as "excellent quality" from Casanova who sojourned here.

Weddings & Special Events

At Castello di Spessa all dreams come true. It is the perfect wedding location, and here you will get all the support that you will need to make your wedding day the most perfect day in your life: our staff will satisfy every specific request, from the photo shoot, the preparation of the wedding banquet to the celebration in our private chapel or in the luxuriant park … even if your party will go on all night long. We will help you with the details: rooms and tables layout, menu, music, floral design and other arrangements. We can realize every wish: did you always dream about a romantic horse-drawn carriage? Or do you want to offer your guests an unforgettable entertainment show, maybe fireworks? We will be at your side from the very beginning, to make your fairytale wedding party come true.

Where Are We

Castello di Spessa Golf & Wine Resort - Via Spessa, 1, Contrada Russiz di Sotto, Capriva del Friuli (GO), 34070, Italy

Castello di Spessa - Awards