This year, during my visit with the Del Bianco team in Assisi for the olive oil harvest, I had the privilege of spending a full day at Colle Pu, a small winery that captures the true spirit and soul of this sacred hillside town. While the Del Bianco team harvested their olives—later transformed into exquisite extra virgin olive oil through their meticulous production—the family arranged for me to visit one of their dear friends, a winery owner and maker whose work embodies the heart of Assisi.

The estate itself is a quiet treasure. The old stone farmhouse has been lovingly restored with immense respect for its history, preserving wooden beams, Umbrian terracotta floors, and the warm rustic character that defines this region. Seven guest rooms cascade across multiple levels, complemented by panoramic terraces, inviting common rooms, a shared kitchen, a guest-only restaurant, and a seasonal pool overlooking the rolling hills. It feels like a hilltop hideaway suspended between earth and sky.

Assisi: A City of Peace: Tourism has existed in Assisi for centuries, yet the city remains serene and unspoiled. Rolling green hills cradle small medieval towns, creating a landscape that melts stress off your shoulders the moment you arrive. Just beyond Assisi, surrounded by pristine woods and neatly plowed fields, sits the agriturismo—an oasis rooted deeply in Umbrian tradition.

Driving through the gates, I was greeted by perfectly aligned vineyard rows, followed by olive groves and fruit trees leading the way to the farmhouse. When Nonno Amedeo purchased the property in the 1970s, the land was uncultivated and forgotten. He planted the first vines, olives, figs, and cherry trees—and, more importantly, passed his profound love for the land to his son Stefano.

Today, their small organic farm produces olive oil, wine, and jams for their guests, honoring the agricultural legacy Amedeo began over fifty years ago.

I arrived just in time to watch the team press freshly harvested Sagrantino grapes. I even tasted some of the freshly pressed juice—a “pinch-me, I’m in Italy” moment that made me pause with gratitude. Watching the press in motion, surrounded by a team working with such precision and joy, reminded me why I fell in love with wine and olive oil in the first place.

And then—in perfect Italian fashion—the family invited me to lunch. After a morning of harvesting olives, pressing grapes, and learning from the team, we all sat together at a long table for a multi-course homemade feast. But the magic didn’t stop there. They had live music, with lots of glasses clinking in cheers and bursts of joyful singing. Even the winery owner joined in, adding to the energy of the room. It felt like one of those cinematic Italian afternoons you dream about—except real.

The Wines: The sommelier, who earlier had been assisting in production, suddenly appeared in full sommelier attire and guided us through a beautiful flight of wines:

Oré Rosato 2024: Bright, fresh, and brimming with berries, this rosato carried that unmistakable hillside elegance—fresh acidity, purity of fruit, and a high-elevation luxury finish. Paired with their house-made lasagna, layered with creamy béchamel, tomato, and fresh pasta, it was absolutely magical.

Colle Pu Rosso 2023: Vibrant and deep with berry-forward charm layered with subtle spice and wood. A youthful but sophisticated Umbrian red with structure and soul.

Oreste 2022 – Sagrantino Riserva: A stunning expression of Sagrantino—deeper, more layered, with beautiful age and complexity beginning to unfold. A wine that fills the glass and the senses.

Then came a showstopper. The sommelier brought out a magnum of 1999 Fontanafredda Serralunga d’Alba Barolo. It was pure magic—silky, earthy, beautifully evolved, and one of those wines that makes you sit back and smile at the universe for aligning such a moment.

Sor Amedè – Umbrian Merlot 2021: To finish, we enjoyed their Merlot with the homemade cake. Juicy, jammy, gently spiced, and a perfect sweet-leaning red to close an extraordinary lunch. And speaking of cake—the finale was a masterpiece: a cake shaped like the city of Umbria, created by the extraordinary women in the kitchen who make all the culinary magic happen. It was the kind of gesture that brings tears to your eyes, not because of grandeur, but because of generosity and heart.

It was an afternoon of pure Italian perfection—filled with friendship, craftsmanship, music, wine, food, and the beauty of being welcomed like family. One of those moments where you look around and think, How did I get here? How am I this lucky? 

I’ll carry this day with me always.