🍷 The Wines of the Lake: Aleatico, Est! Est!! Est!!! and the Oenological Gems of Tuscia

In the northern part of Lazio, between the shores of Lake Bolsena and the hills of Gradoli, lies a still little-known wine treasure: an extraordinary variety of DOC and IGT wines, born from volcanic soils and ideal microclimates for viticulture.Here, vines have been cultivated for millennia, and every sip tells the story of a land that has resisted the flattening of taste.

🍇 Aleatico di Gradoli DOC: The Meditation Wine

Produced exclusively in Gradoli, Aleatico DOC is a sweet, aromatic red wine made from 100% Aleatico grapes, sun-dried before vinification. Its intense bouquet evokes roses, ripe red fruit, and oriental spices. On the palate, it's velvety and persistent—a perfect dessert wine, to enjoy with dry pastries or on its own as a wine for meditation.

🔎 Where to buy it:

• Cantina di Gradoli

• Azienda Agricola Gavio

• Podere Orto

• Local wine shops and food & wine markets in Gradoli

🍷 Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone DOC: The Legendary Wine

Its name comes from a medieval legend: a Vatican envoy would write “Est!” (Latin for “It is!”) on inns with good wine. When he reached Montefiascone, he was so impressed that he wrote it three times.Today, Est! Est!! Est!!! is a DOC white wine, fresh, light, and mineral, usually made from Trebbiano, Malvasia, and Rossetto grapes.

Perfect with appetizers, lake fish dishes, light soups, and fresh cheeses.

🔎 Where to buy it:

• Cantina Sociale di Montefiascone

• Tenuta Le Lase

• Wine shops and stores in Montefiascone and Bolsena

🍾 IGT Wines and Volcanic Whites

Beyond the historic DOC labels, the Bolsena–Gradoli area offers surprising IGT wines, both red and white, often from native grapes or revived historical varieties:

• Grechetto and Procanico for floral, savory whites

• Sangiovese and Ciliegiolo for light but structured reds

• Classic method sparkling wines from lakeside vineyards

Many producers focus on organic and natural winemaking, with manual harvesting and aging in amphorae or oak barrels.

🔎 Recommended wineries:

• Villa Puri (Bolsena)

• Cantina Olivella

• Castello di Montegiove

• Muscari Tomajoli (near Tarquinia, for coastal blends)

🛒 Where to Buy and Taste

📍 Bolsena

• Bottega Vini & Sapori della Tuscia (in the center)

• Weekly market (Tuesdays) with food and wine stalls

• Enoteca del Borgo

📍 Gradoli

• Cantina di Gradoli retail point

• Seasonal events (Aleatico Festival, local fairs)

📍 Montefiascone

• Wine tour and tastings at the Cantina Sociale

• "Sapori di Tuscia" shop on Via Cavour

🥂 Conclusion: A Secret Tuscany in Lazio

The wines of Bolsena and Gradoli deserve a place of honor among Italy’s finest.In every bottle, you’ll taste the strength of the volcano, the freshness of the lake, and the wisdom of the countryside.Choosing these wines means choosing a land that is honest, authentic, and extraordinarily refined.