Wine Fountains in Italy

Imagine the fountains you used to drink from during middle school gym class, only this time it dispenses wine. That dream has become a reality in Caldari di Ortona, Italy, where a vineyard built a public fountain that offers up not lowly H20, but locally made red wine, 24 hours a day.

The ‘fontana del vino’ was built by Dora Sarchese Vineyard and sits along the Cammino di San Tommaso pilgrimage route, which is popular with thousands of religious trekkers who travel the path from Rome to Ortona. The fountain dispenses the vineyard’s Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG. The wine fountain opened this past fall and can be accessed by anyone, not just those making the trek. Dora Sarchese did note, however, that the fountain is not for “drunkards or louts,” as reported by The Local.

Obviously, this kind of wine fountain isn’t a good idea for every community, but it does make a pretty amazing vacation spot. The quaint Italian town is also home to many other gorgeous sights, like the mountainous landscape and sandy beaches that draw visitors in by the millions.

This particular wine fountain is not the first of its kind in Italy, as similar wine fountains have been popping up around the Old World. One was even found during a trip to Ronda, Spain at an ancient Roman winery. However, this is the first of its kind to be open to the general public.

If you’re planning a visit to the area, we recommend pairing your experience with a bottle of the vineyard’s award-winning vino. The red wine is a perfect match for the richness of the chocolate and can be enjoyed with a number of different desserts, including cheesecake bites or even a nice bowl of pasta. We suggest a Pinot Noir or a lighter Merlot for this type of chocolate, as they offer a nice balance to the sweet and salty flavors found in most cheesecakes and pasta.

If you’re looking for the perfect gift to help a wine lover in your life enjoy their vino, check out our silver kiddush fountains. Designed to be both easy-to-use and elegant, these stunning centerpieces will be the envy of any Shabbat or Holiday table. Each one is available in multiple sizes to fit a wide range of guest counts, so you can find the right size for your next event. Shop now!