Eco winery and 0 greenhouse-emission farm in Umbria

From June 2010 there is one more reason to visit Umbria: Monte Vibiano's eco-tours are the key to discover the secrets of its worldwide-famous wines and olive oil while touring its spectacular estate in central Italy.

All tours are conducted aboard electric vehicles around Monte Vibiano, the first 0 greenhouse-emissions farm in Italy.

Visitors gather at the wine cellar in the valley and from here they board electric vehicles for a ride to the nearby hills and fields, across hectares of vineyards and olive groves. There is always something happening here, no matter the time of the year: from picking grapes for Monte Vibiano's refined red and whites, to hand-picking olives from century-old trees, the eco-tours are always a chance to observe exciting aspects of life in the fields.

The highlight of the visit is a stop at 'vigna Lorenzo', a jaw-dropping vineyard extending for several hectares, a natural jewel that takes its name from that of Monte Vibiano's CEO, Lorenzo Fasola Bologna.

From 'Vigna Lorenzo' visitors can see the historic Monte Vibiano castle towering over the valley: it is 2,000-year-old and currently the home of the Fasola Bologna family, owners of Monte Vibiano.

With a descent to the valley, the electric vehicles return to the wine cellar and the brand new "Eco Degustation Terrace", made of recycled materials. Here it is possible to taste Monte Vibiano's exquisite wines and bruschetta, seasoned with the company's signature frozen olive oil. The "Eco Degustation Terrace" is inspired by Monte Vibiano's ecological mission and designed by Monte Carlo designer Maryam Fasola Bologna with old woods and hundreds of unused corks.

Commonly known as "the green heart of Italy”, the Umbria region is famous for its lush vegetation and being a green paradise all year round. Located right at the center of Italy, Umbria borders Tuscany and Lazio and is 1 and 1/2 hours drive from both Florence and Rome. The region offers a spectacular combination of art, nature and spirituality, along with ancient traditions that have endured throughout the centuries.

Thousands of hectares of beautiful rolling hills dotted with century-old towns and villages, churches and art galleries make Umbria a tourist favorite. The region’s cities  such as Perugia, Assisi, Orvieto, Spoleto, Spello are treasure-troves of art and history. Assisi, a world-renown religious and spiritual centre, is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000.

Agriculture is one of the principal sectors of the Umbrian economy, with olives, grapes, wheat, and tobacco production leading the list of commodities produced in the region. With a population density among the lowest in Italy, Umbria’s approximately 900,000 citizens inhabit 8,456 square kilometers of unspoiled landscape. The area’s relatively sparse population helps maintain the landscape’s natural beauty and is the basis for a harmonious and special relationship between man and nature.