Fontana di Vino, in Abruzzo, is open every day for everyone who passes by
The Bible says that wine was created for the joy of men. And in Italy, this is taken very seriously. In a small town in central Italy, there is a wine fountain – a pure Montepulciano d'Abruzzo – that is open every day, all the time, for anyone. And the best part: it is completely free.
The wine fountain was built in 2016 at the Dora Sarchese winery, in the town of Caldari di Ortona, in Abruzzo, to quench the thirst of the faithful completing the religious pilgrimage of the Way of Saint Thomas.
The route is very popular with Italians and tourists alike. Thousands of Christians travel from Rome to Caldari di Ortono every year to visit the cathedral where the remains of the disciple Thomas are said to be kept.
The idea of creating an “eternal” source of wine for those who pass through the city came from the Cammino di San Tommaso association, by founders Dina Cespa and Luigi Nascisi, inspired by a source of wine on the Camino de Santiago, in Navarra, Spain. “Some friends sent me a photo of the wine fountain as a tease. But as soon as I saw it I thought: I'm going to do that too”, recalls Nicola D'Auria, owner of the Dora Sarchese winery.
The fountain gushes pure Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. Photo: thefoodmakers
The project was designed to promote tourism to the region and attract more tourists and pilgrims. According to the association, the fountain is a great way to welcome tourists. “The intention is to promote our territory, Abruzzo, which, from a tourism point of view, is not as developed. Tourists pass us to go to Puglia, but they don't stop. They don't know the beauty that the region offers”, laments D'Auria.
Nicola D'Auria, by Dora Sarchese: fountain gushes Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine. Photo: thefoodmakers
Today, he receives curious people from all over the world. “The other day some Finns came and were going to Sicily. VI also saw French television doing a report and they told me that we are in a magazine called Forbes. Sorry for my ignorance, but do you know her?” says the owner.
Reservoir that supplies the source. Photo: thefoodmakers
The fountain is always open, but with stricter control at night. “A man arrived with his wife and was looking for the source. At one point he confessed that he had six bottles in the car. Do you notice? I told him that if he wanted to have a glass or two that was fine, but filling the bottles was prohibited.”
With information Carlotta Balena/The Food Makers
FOLLOW-US
