Pic nic Deluxe Assisi and wine tasting 5 wines

Assisi looks best with a glass in hand. This $52 vineyard picnic combines five Umbrian wines, a generous spread of local food, and an excellent view of the Basilica of Saint Francis. I especially like the family-run setting and the chance to walk among vines and olive trees instead of sitting inside a formal tasting room.

The picnic includes a bottle of SAIO wine for each couple, along with bread, olive oil, pecorino, cured meats, Torta al Testo, cookies, and water. The main drawback is transport: SAIO is close to the basilica by distance, but the busy roads are not pleasant for walking, so you should plan on driving or taking a taxi.

This is a relaxed 2.5-hour experience rather than a serious vineyard tour with a long technical lecture. Host Agnese, also called Agnes in some visitor accounts, has earned praise for her warm, clear explanations. Bad weather moves the tasting and picnic indoors, and wet conditions can make the vineyard path muddy.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Five wines are explained before the picnic, giving you a useful introduction to SAIO’s production and Umbrian wine.
• The veranda sits about 800 meters from the Basilica of Saint Francis, with broad views back toward Assisi.
• One bottle per couple is included, and you choose it from the wines tasted.
• The food is more than a token snack, with cured meats, cheese, bread, olive oil, Torta al Testo, and cookies.
• The walk is self-guided, using a map and information boards placed around the vineyard.
• April through October is the best time to visit, though SAIO operates all year.

A Vineyard Below the Basilica of Saint Francis

SAIO Wine Shop is at Via Campiglione 94, in the lower countryside of Assisi. From the veranda and vineyard paths, you look uphill toward the Basilica of Saint Francis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city’s main landmark.

That view gives the experience its sense of place. You are not simply tasting Italian wine in an anonymous cellar. The basilica, olive groves, vineyards, oak trees, and Umbrian hills all sit in the same frame. It is a particularly pleasing contrast to the stone streets and churches of central Assisi.

The property belongs to the Mencarelli family, which has produced wine and extra virgin olive oil for decades. That family connection matters because the visit feels personal rather than mass-market. The host presents the wines, explains the production, and then lets you enjoy the property at your own pace.

SAIO is about 875 yards, or 800 meters, from the Basilica of Saint Francis. That sounds walkable on a map, but the practical route is not a pleasant town stroll. One visitor specifically warned that the roads are busy and lack sidewalks, so I would not treat the distance as an invitation to walk from Assisi unless you are comfortable with rural roadside conditions.

Starting With Five Umbrian Wines

The tasting begins at the SAIO Wine Shop or tasting area. You sample five wines with guidance about how they are made and what you are drinking. This is a good format for beginners because you can compare several wines in one sitting without having to order a full glass of each.

Agnese is repeatedly praised for her friendly presentation and clear explanations. Her role seems to be part host, part teacher, and part family representative. You get enough information to understand the wines, but the experience does not sound like a technical class packed with jargon.

The five-wine format also gives the included bottle real value. After tasting, you choose a SAIO wine to accompany the picnic, with one bottle provided per couple. That lets you select based on your own preference rather than receiving a random bottle.

The exact wine lineup is not specified, so I would not book this expecting a particular grape or vintage. The useful point is variety and comparison. If you are new to Umbrian wine, this is a friendly introduction. If you already know the region well, you may find the tasting fairly straightforward, but the setting and food add plenty to the afternoon.

Additional wine tastings and extra bottles cost more. If you find a favorite, you can purchase more to take home, and one visitor noted that a SAIO wine later appeared as a house wine at a restaurant in Assisi.

Walking the Vineyard With a Map

After the tasting, you receive a map and can walk through the vineyard and olive groves. Information boards along the route explain wine and viticulture, giving you a simple way to learn about the work behind the bottle.

This part is intentionally low-key. You are not led in a tightly managed procession. You follow the marked information points, look at the vines, and take in the views before continuing to the picnic area.

Several accounts describe the walk as one of the most enjoyable parts of the visit. It offers a quiet break from churches, museums, and city streets, and it gives you time to notice the farm itself. In season, you might see ripe grapes on the vines. One earlier visit even included tasting grapes straight from the vine.

The path deserves a practical warning. After rain, it can become muddy, and the soil may cling to your shoes. One visitor suggested that gravel or paving would help. Wear shoes you do not mind getting dirty, especially outside the dry months.

You also need to judge the walk by the weather. On a warm, sunny day, it sounds gentle and pleasant. In rain or strong wind, the outdoor portion may lose much of its charm. The good news is that the tasting and picnic move into the tasting room during bad weather, so the booking does not depend entirely on sunshine.

The Veranda Picnic With Assisi in View

The destination of the walk is a covered veranda overlooking Assisi. This is where the experience shifts from wine lesson to long, easy lunch. The view is the star, but the food is substantial enough to make the picnic feel like a proper meal.

Your basket includes typical Perugia bread, SAIO extra virgin olive oil, pecorino cheese, cured meats from the Subasio Mountains, traditional Umbrian Torta al Testo, Umbrian cookies, and water. Plates, glasses, cutlery, and placemats are provided, so you do not need to pack picnic equipment.

Torta al Testo is a salty, flat cheese bread associated with Umbria. Alongside the cured meat, cheese, bread, and olive oil, it gives you a useful taste of everyday regional food rather than a generic tourist platter.

One visitor specifically praised the hot pork served with the picnic. The standard information lists cured meats from the Subasio Mountains but does not promise hot pork every time, so consider it a possible feature rather than a guaranteed part of the menu.

The portions appear generous for two people. Several accounts describe plenty of meat, bread, cheese, and biscuits, with enough food to feel full afterward. That matters when judging the price, since you are not paying $52 merely for five small pours and a view.

The bottle of wine is intended for each couple, not each individual. For two people sharing, that is a useful inclusion and helps explain why the price feels fair. If you are visiting alone, confirm how the bottle arrangement applies to your booking before reserving.

Why the $52 Price Makes Sense

At $52 per person, this is not the cheapest way to taste wine in Assisi. It is also more than a simple shop tasting. You are paying for roughly two and a half hours, five guided wines, a farm walk, the vineyard setting, a full picnic, and a bottle of wine for each couple.

I see the strongest value in the combination. A standard tasting gives you wine but not much time. A restaurant lunch gives you food but not the vineyard setting or explanation of production. Here, the tasting, countryside, meal, and view are bundled together.

The family operation also changes the feel of the purchase. The experience is connected to an actual wine and olive oil producer, not just a restaurant using the word vineyard as decoration. That does not mean the visit is highly formal or exhaustive, but it does give the food and wine a clear local connection.

You should still set realistic expectations. The picnic is described as light or generous depending on the account, but it is not presented as a multi-course meal with table service. The walk is self-guided, and the information boards cannot replace a full vineyard tour led by an agronomist.

For most people visiting Assisi, the price works because the outing fills a morning or afternoon in a pleasant way. It also gives you a break from sightseeing without sending you far from the basilica.

Timing, Weather, and Practical Planning

The activity lasts 2.5 hours, with starting times depending on availability. The exact schedule is not supplied, so check the available slot before arranging church visits, train connections, or lunch elsewhere.

April through October is identified as the best period to visit. That makes sense for the outdoor setting, when the vineyard walk and veranda are likely to be most enjoyable. Summer can provide the clearest views, but the exposed countryside may feel hot during the middle of the day.

SAIO is open throughout the year. In winter or poor weather, expect the tasting and picnic to take place in the tasting room. You still receive the wines and food, but the outdoor walk and panoramic veranda are less certain.

A windy day does not necessarily ruin the outing. One earlier visit found that the wind added some fun, though you should bring a layer if you are visiting outside the hottest months. After rain, muddy paths are the main concern.

The meeting point is the SAIO Wine Shop at Via Campiglione 94, Assisi. From Perugia, take the SS75, exit at Ospedalicchio Sud, and follow signs toward Assisi. SAIO is about 9 kilometers from that exit. From Foligno, take the SS75, exit at Santa Maria degli Angeli, then follow directions toward Assisi and take the Bastia-Perugia direction at the roundabout beneath the basilica. SAIO is about 1.5 kilometers from there.

Italian and English are available. The experience includes free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, and you can reserve without paying immediately if that option is offered for your date.

Who Will Enjoy This Experience Most

I would recommend this to couples looking for a relaxed food-and-wine outing near Assisi. The included bottle, generous picnic, and veranda setting make it especially suitable for a birthday, anniversary, or pleasant afternoon away from the city center.

It also works well for first-time wine tasters. The explanations are approachable, and the five wines give you a chance to notice differences without committing to a full bottle before you know what you like.

Food-focused visitors should enjoy the regional products, especially the pecorino, mountain cured meats, Torta al Testo, olive oil, and Umbrian cookies. The experience has enough local character to feel connected to the area rather than simply decorative.

Families should consider the pace and alcohol focus. Children are not specifically discussed in the supplied details, so check directly before booking if you plan to bring them. The same applies to dietary needs. One past visit received a vegan picnic, but this is not listed as a standard inclusion, so request any changes in advance.

This is less suitable for someone seeking a polished, highly structured vineyard tour. The walk is self-guided, the route can be muddy, and the focus is pleasure rather than technical wine study. If that sounds too informal, a dedicated cellar tour may suit you better.

Should You Book the SAIO Picnic?

I would book it if you want to pair Assisi sightseeing with a scenic, generous, and unhurried taste of Umbria. The best parts are the view toward the Basilica of Saint Francis, the family hospitality, the five-wine introduction, and the amount of food included for the price.

Book during the warmer months if the veranda and vineyard walk are central to your plans. Arrange a taxi or drive rather than assuming the short distance from the basilica makes this an easy walk.

Skip it only if you need a formal guided vineyard tour, a guaranteed outdoor meal, or a particular wine lineup. For everyone else, SAIO offers a sensible mix of local food, regional wine, countryside views, and personal service. Its 4.8 rating from 88 bookings reflects what the experience does best: it gives you a generous afternoon without making the occasion feel complicated.

FAQ

Where does the SAIO wine tasting and picnic begin?

The meeting point is the SAIO Wine Shop at Via Campiglione 94 in Assisi. The GPS coordinates are latitude 43.076725 and longitude 12.585997.

How long does the experience last?

The tasting and vineyard picnic last 2.5 hours.

How many wines are included?

A guided tasting of five wines is included.

Is a bottle of wine included?

Yes. One bottle of SAIO wine of your choice is included for each couple.

What food comes with the picnic?

The picnic includes water, Perugia bread, SAIO extra virgin olive oil, pecorino cheese, cured meats from the Subasio Mountains, traditional Umbrian Torta al Testo, and Umbrian cookies.

Is the walk through the vineyard guided?

You receive a map and follow information boards around the vineyard. The walk is self-guided after the wine tasting.

What happens if it rains?

The wine tasting and picnic move into the wine tasting room in bad weather.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter speaks Italian and English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available when offered for the selected date.