Italian Wine, Great People & Plenty to Celebrate 🇮🇹🍷
July was a month full of great wine, great people and memorable moments. From welcoming our latest shipment of Italian wines to hosting wine dinners, staff training, a special Pizza Night and Caroline’s Fine Wine Review, it was a month spent doing what we love most—bringing people together through Italian wine.
Wine Education: Sharing More Than Just the Bottle
At Vinotria, education is just as important as the wines themselves. Every tasting, dinner and training session is an opportunity to share the stories behind the bottles, introduce new grape varieties and make Italian wine a little less intimidating.
Whether we’re working with restaurants, retailers or private clients, our goal is simple: to create memorable experiences while helping more people discover the incredible diversity of Italian wine.
Training with Scala Pasta Bar
We recently welcomed 15 staff members from The Pan Collection Restaurant Group for an Italian wine training session at the beautiful Idiom Restaurant & Wine Tasting Centre.
The day was all about learning, tasting and discovering the diversity of Italian wine in a relaxed setting. Alongside our Italian selection, the team also tasted some exceptional Idiom wines, making it a fun and educational experience.
We believe confident staff create memorable guest experiences, and it’s always rewarding to share our passion for Italian wine with hospitality teams.
Primitivo in the Spotlight
Our recent Primitivo tasting at The Wine Hive in Paarl reminded us why Puglia has become one of Italy’s most exciting wine regions.
From vibrant, fruit-forward styles to rich and velvety examples, the tasting showed just how much personality this grape can have. We loved seeing so many new favourites discovered throughout the evening.
Among the wines tasted were:
Shop our favourites below:Â
- Pasqua Desiderio Lush & Zin
- Feudi di San Gregorio Primitivo
- Varvaglione Papale Primitivo di Manduria
- Varvaglione Papale Oro
- Cantine Coppi Vanitoso Riserva
- ES by Gianfranco Fino
And it was ES by Gianfranco Fino that really stole the show. Bold, concentrated and beautifully elegant, with layers of black cherry, plum, dark chocolate and sweet spice, it was the bottle guests kept coming back to for “just one more taste.”
The Primitivo Discovery Box
To continue the journey, we created a limited-edition six-bottle Primitivo Box, bringing together some of the highlights from the tasting. The idea is simple: six wines, different expressions and styles, and an opportunity to explore the grape side by side.
Only 10 cases were created, with the wines also available individually. Shop our BOX here:Â
An Italian Feast in Chilly Clarens
At the end of July, we had the pleasure of hosting a memorable food and wine pairing evening at Bocca Di Lupo in Clarens.
Guests enjoyed a four-course Italian-inspired menu paired with wines from the Vinotria portfolio, beginning with Pasqua Prosecco Treviso and travelling through Italian regions with Statti Greco di Calabria, Sella e Mosca Vermentino di Sardegna, Pico Maccario Barbera d’Asti MIA and Luna Gaia Chiaramontese Nero d’Avola.
A special thank you to Roberto, whose passion for Italian wine, culture and history brought each wine to life and made the evening as educational as it was enjoyable.
Coming Up: Italian Wine Experiences
We have plenty more planned over the coming months, with events taking us from Cape Town to Paarl, Pretoria, Durbanville and Clarens.
Villa47 – Vineyard Stories
26 August 2026
A five-course Italian-inspired menu paired with exceptional wines from the Vinotria portfolio, celebrating Italian food, wine and stories.
Italy in Town – Menlyn Park
6–7 September 2026
A celebration of Italian food, wine and culture at Menlyn Park, Pretoria, where we’ll be showcasing a selection of wines from the Vinotria portfolio.
Cicchetti & Prosecco – Paarl
24 September 2026
An evening inspired by the wine bars of Venice, pairing crisp Prosecco with delicious Venetian cicchetti. Prosecco, Aperol Spritz or Bellini on arrival, cicchetti and good company included.
Cape2Clarens Wine Festival
15–17 October 2026
We’re heading back to Clarens for a weekend celebrating wine, food and good company. It’s the perfect excuse for a spring getaway—and we’ll be there sharing the wonderful wines of Italy.
Italy in Town – Cape Town – Castle of Good Hope
ITALY IN TOWN 2026
CAPE TOWN’S AUTHENTIC ITALIAN STREET FESTIVAL
21–22 November 2026
Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town
Italy in Town returns for an unforgettable two-day celebration of authentic Italian food, wine, music, culture and lifestyle—taking place at the iconic Castle of Good Hope for the first time.
Step into the atmosphere of a lively Italian piazza without leaving Cape Town. Gather your friends and family and experience the flavours, sounds and traditions of Italy in one of the Mother City’s most historic settings.
WHAT TO EXPECT
• Authentic Italian food from carefully selected vendors
• Premium Italian wines and refreshing beverages
• Live music, DJs and entertainment
• Italian cultural and lifestyle showcases
• Artisan products, retail stalls and local businesses
• A welcoming, family-friendly festival atmosphere
• Two unforgettable days of Italian flavour and celebration
EARLY-BIRD TICKETS
SATURDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2026
Early Bird: R150
SUNDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2026
Early Bird: R120
The early-bird offer is available during August 2026 only and is limited to 2,000 tickets per day.
Once the allocation is sold out, it is sold out. Secure your tickets early to avoid missing this limited offer.
Whether you are Italian by birth, Italian at heart, or simply love incredible food, wine, music and culture, Italy in Town promises a memorable weekend for the whole family.
Come hungry. Come curious. Come and experience Italy in the heart of Cape Town.
Recipe & Wine Pairing: Creamy Polenta, Gorgonzola & Mushrooms
Spring may have arrived, but there’s always room for a little Italian comfort food.
This Northern Italian classic combines creamy polenta, earthy mushrooms and melting Gorgonzola. It’s simple, comforting and perfect for a relaxed evening with family or friends.
The Pairing
Pico Maccario Gavi di Gavi – Piemonte
Made from Cortese, this elegant Piedmontese white offers crisp citrus, green apple and delicate floral aromas, with refreshing minerality and lively acidity.The acidity cuts beautifully through the richness of the Gorgonzola, while the wine’s freshness complements the earthy mushrooms. We even recommend adding a splash of Gavi to the mushrooms while cooking for an extra layer of flavour.
The result? A simple Italian dish, a beautiful bottle of wine and a very good reason to linger a little longer around the table. 🇮🇹🍷
