Genoa Wine
What and Where to Drink in Genoa?
We spent a month in Genoa researching what local wines to drink and where to drink them. We’ve compiled a summary of the information we collected so you can start enjoying these wines as soon as you arrive!
Significantly, Genoa is the capital of the Liguria region. We suggest you start on our Liguria Wine page, where we’ve collected information about Ligurian grapes varieties and wine varietals. As you’ll learn, white wine is the obvious choice if you’re looking for local wine in Genoa.
A glass of local white wine paired with a plate of pesto pasta while enjoying the historic architecture is the ultimate Genoa experience. If you insist on drinking red wine, the primary local red grape variety is Rossese. However, you may want to consider a red wine blend (or you could cheat a little and drink any of the excellent red wines from the nearby Piedmont region).
The best way to experience the local wines is by visiting a wine bar or, better yet, and winery with a tasting room. The wineries are a bit of an excursion, but if you don’t want to leave the old town, there are several wine bars to choose from.
Alternatively, you can pick up a nice bottle from one of the wine shops in the city center and take it back to your hotel or apartment. But if you want to drink like the locals, we suggest you visit Rosso Rubino Cantina – our favorite bulk wine shop.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bulk Wine (Vini Sfusi)
Local Wine in Genoa
Genoa, the capital of the Liguria region, is famous for its local wines which are a must-try for any wine lover. The region produces a range of high-quality wines and has a rich history in winemaking. These wines pair perfectly with seafood and vegetable-based dishes that are also specialties of Genoa.
Liguria Wine
Wine Bars in Genoa
If you’re looking for things to do at night in Genoa, you can visit one (or more) of the many wine bars for delicious wine tastings.
Cantine Matteotti
Cantine Matteotti is in the heart of the old city and a great place to have a glass of wine.
Address: Archivolto Baliano, 4-6/r, 16123 Genova GE, Italy
Vizio Wine Bar
Vizio Wine Bar offers Italian food as well as cold cuts and cheese platters.
Address: Via al Porto Antico, 2, 16128 Genova GE, Italy
Altivini Enoteca Eroica
Altivini is the first wine shop in Italy to showcase and promote the efforts of heroic winemakers who face steep slopes and challenging terrain daily to produce wines with passion and hard work (in addition to grapes). Altivini’s extensive collection includes wines from Val d’Aosta, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli, Valtellina, Piedmont, Sicily, Calabria, Abruzzo, Emilia, and Liguria. It frequently hosts tastings and meetings with winemakers to offer its guests an exceptional experience.
Address: Via Interiano, 11R, 16122 Genova GE, Italy
da Paul
Da Paul is a cozy wine bar tucked away in the vibrant streets of Genoa. It’s warm ambiance and extensive wine selection make it the perfect spot for an evening of relaxation and indulgence. Whether you’re a red, white, or sparkling fan, Da Paul has something to satisfy every palate.
Address: Via di Canneto Il Curto, 36R, 16123 Genova GE, Italy
Wine Shops in Genoa
Genoa has several authentic local shops where you can try out different wines. These shops are known for their unique selections, which are produced locally and are of excellent quality.
Bottled Wine
La Vinoteca
La Vinoteca, located in the heart of Genoa, is a top wine shop known for its extensive collection of local and international bottled wines. Their knowledgeable staff can assist wine enthusiasts in selecting the perfect bottle from a wide variety of full-bodied reds, crisp whites, and delightful sparkling options.
Address: Via S. Luca, 48r, 16124 Genova GE, Italy
Enoteca Pesce Wine Bar e Bottiglieria
Enoteca Pesce is a historic bottiglieria in the heart of seaside Genoa that offers tastings and insights into local wines.
Address: Via di Sottoripa, 13, 16124 Genova GE, Italy
Bulk Wine (Vini Sfusi)
Rosso Rubino Cantina
This bulk wine shop was a frequent destination during our stay in Genoa.
Address: Via dei Macelli di Soziglia, 56, 16123 Genova GE, Italy
Janua - Cantina Storica Culturale
aka the Andrea Bruzzone Vini is a wine shop, vino sfuso, and a small wine museum. This is a great place for wine lovers!
Address: Piazza di S. Donato, 51r, 16123 Genova GE, Italy
Wineries Near Genoa
There are very few wineries near Genoa. However, there are several in the Riviera Ligure di Ponente Wine Region located about an hour west of Genoa.
Bio Vio Winery
Bio Vio Winery opens its cellar for wine tastings.
Address: Via Crociata, 24, 17031 Albenga SV, Italy
Torre Pernice
Torre Pernice specializes in the production of high-quality Ligurian wines: Pigato Doc, Vermentino Doc, Rossese Doc, Pigato Doc Selection Grapes, Passito di Pigato, and Passito di Rossese.
The wine bar at the estate welcomes guests year-round for wine tasting and dining that includes typical dishes of the Ligurian cuisine.
Address: Regione Torre Pernice, 3, 17031 Albenga SV, Italy
Azienda Vinicola Durin
Durin Winery offers multiple wine experiences that include tours of the winery and tastings.
Address: Via Roma, 202, 17037 Ortovero SV, Italy
Azienda Agricola Dell’Erba
Azienda Agricola Dell’Erba offers multiple experiences, including vineyard tours and wine tastings
Address: 17031 Reg. Marixe, Province of Savona, Italy
Self-Guided Winery Tour from Genoa
If you have time to visit a few wineries, we suggest the following itinerary:
If you have a driver (and you definitely should), you could visit the four wineries on the list while spending just over 3 hours in the car during a roundtrip from Genoa. Of course, how long the entire tour takes will depend on how long you spend at each winery. Regardless, it will be a full day of wine tasting, and a stop for lunch is strongly recommended!
NOTE: Some wineries in Italy require reservations and charge a tasting fee. We suggest you contact them ahead of time for details and to make any necessary arrangements.
FAQs About Genoa Wine
What Wine Region Is Genoa?
What is the most popular wine in Italy?
Italy is known for producing a wide variety of wines, each with its own unique qualities and characteristics. Some of the most popular Italian wines include Chianti (from Tuscany), Barolo (from Piedmont), Amarone della Valpolicella (from Veneto), and Prosecco (a sparkling wine from the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions). The most popular wine in Italy may vary depending on region and personal preference.
What is the wine capital of Italy?
The wine capital of Italy is often considered to be the region of Tuscany, which is home to some of Italy’s most famous and esteemed wine-producing areas, such as Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. However, there are several other regions in Italy that are also renowned for their wine production, including Piedmont, Veneto, and Sicily. It ultimately depends on personal preference and taste when it comes to selecting the best Italian wines.
What region of Italy is known for wine?
Some of the most famous wine-producing regions in Italy include Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto. Tuscany, in particular, is renowned for its Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino wines, Piedmont is known for its Barolo and Barbaresco wines, and Veneto is home to the popular Prosecco sparkling wine. These are just a few examples of the many different types of wine that can be found throughout Italy’s diverse and richly varied wine regions.
What wine is made in Italy?
Italy is known for producing a wide variety of wines, including reds, whites, and sparkling wines. Some of the most popular Italian wines include Chianti, Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino, Amarone della Valpolicella, Prosecco, and Lambrusco. Italian wine regions like Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto, and Sicily are known for their unique terroirs and grape varieties that produce distinct flavors and aromas in each bottle. Whether you’re a fan of bold reds or crisp whites, there’s sure to be an Italian wine that suits your taste preferences.
Where Is The Best Place To Stay In Genoa?
Hotels in Genoa
There are many great places to stay in Genoa. For the best experience, we recommend staying in the Old Town. But Genoa Old Town is large. So, where in the Old Town? We recommend staying near Piazza Banchi (the castle marker on the map below). It is in the heart of a beautiful shopping area, is close to the historical Palaces, and is centrally located in the Old Town.
Here’s an interactive map with hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.
Book your stay now!