Orvieto Wine: DOC Varieties, the Wine Route and What to See in the City

Orvieto is a city built on a volcanic tufa cliff in southern Umbria, with a Gothic cathedral that rivals anything in central Italy. It is also the origin of one of Italy’s oldest named white wines — Orvieto DOC has been produced since at least the 14th century and was sought by popes from the Vatican for centuries. The wine routes of the area connect the city’s restaurants and cellars with the estates of the surrounding hills.

Orvieto DOC Wines

The principal wine is Orvieto DOC, made primarily from Grechetto and Trebbiano Toscano. The classic style is dry and straw-yellow, with mineral and almond notes and moderate acidity — a natural partner for the local pecorino cheese, honey, fish dishes and white meat. A sweeter, late-harvest version (amabile and dolce) is also produced. The Rosso Orvietano DOC is a red wine made from a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and other varieties — fuller-bodied and suited to game and braised meats. The Lago di Corbara DOC, produced from vineyards near a reservoir south of Orvieto, is a ruby red best drunk with red meat or poultry. The Colli Amerini DOC covers a broader area to the south of the city.

The Strada dei Vini Etrusco Romana

The Strada dei Vini Etrusco Romana is a designated wine route taking its name from the Etruscan and Roman heritage of the Orvieto territory. The route links associated wineries and wine cooperatives across the province of Terni, as well as restaurants serving traditional Umbrian cuisine, oil mills producing local extra virgin olive oil, and hotels where wine-focused weekends can be arranged. Wineries on the route offer tastings and cellar tours, generally by appointment.

Two estates worth noting: Argillae offers a structured tasting itinerary and sells direct — visits must be booked via their website. Castello delle Regine, a family estate including a winery, oil mill and restaurant, has offered overnight wine-weekend packages including dinner, breakfast and a bottle of their wine.

Orvieto Beyond Wine

The city itself is worth the trip independently of the wine. The Duomo di Orvieto, started in 1290, has a façade of gold mosaic, carved marble and coloured stone that took three centuries to complete. The Pozzo di San Patrizio (St Patrick’s Well), a 53-metre deep helical staircase built in 1527 to supply the city with water during a siege, is an engineering marvel — two separate spiral ramps allow donkeys to descend and ascend simultaneously without meeting. The Orvieto Underground tour explores 1,200 metres of tunnels and chambers cut into the tufa beneath the streets. Local specialities include black truffle from nearby Norcia and the local umbrichelli pasta — a thick, hand-rolled spaghetti.