The Cinque Terre in Autumn: but why? You may have asked yourself this question a few times and indeed, when talking about such a famous seaside location, it is natural to erase it from your thoughts once summer is over. Yet there are many reasons to visit Cinque Terre in Autumn: nature is still lush, the climate is perfect for beautiful cycling tours with sea views and even a last dip in the sea, there are fewer tourists, but above all there is the grape harvest.

The flavors of the Cinque Terre: the harvest of the Schiacchetrà

Throughout September and October, depending on the vintages of course, in certain specific areas of the province of La Spezia, the harvest of the Schiacchetrà takes place, the DOC passito wine, obtained from vineyards grown on UNESCO heritage terraces. In addition to being an appellation d'origine contrôlée, it is also a Slow Food presidium for its thousand-year history.

Its name derives from the word "sciacàa" which means to crush. The main vines used are Bosco, Albarola and Vermentino which give Schiacchetrà its characteristic golden yellow color, the intense and sweet aroma of the passito wine. Its origins could date back to the eighth century BC when some Greek exiles arrived in Riomaggiore and introduced the technique of drying grapes. Despite being little known, Schiacchetrà is a wine of great importance, especially for its history and for the difficulties with which the vines are cultivated. In these areas we speak of heroic viticulture, that practiced on the steep and rugged terraces that characterize the Ligurian landscape. Some growers can only reach their vineyards through the rack, so steep is the terrain. Yet all this effort is always repaid by an excellent quality product, perfect to accompany the dishes of Ligurian cuisine and not only!

Attending the harvest of this incredible wine is a unique experience in life, because it does not only emerge the tradition, but also the resistance, the passion and the great love that each winemaker puts for his own land, despite the extreme conditions. This is also the perfect time to taste a good glass of Cinque Terre DOC accompanied by Mediterranean flavors. But are the Cinque Terre in Autumn just this? Of course not!

Bicycle and photography: the perfect combination

When the large flow of tourists leave the beaches and ancient villages, it is the perfect time to discover the authenticity of a place. Autumn is the best time to plan a bicycle trip to Cinque Terre, because the air is fresher and the routes are less crowded. There is also time to dedicate to the passion for photography, trying to capture the "golden hour" that tinges all landscapes with a warm and enveloping light. Among the most Instagrammable places in the world there is definitely the view through the openings of the incredible church of san Lorenzo, overlooking the sea.

Cinque Terre by MTB: adventure with breathtaking view

In the Cinque Terre in summer, the crowd is everywhere, even on the trails. But in autumn, when everything calms down, thanks also to the still mild temperatures, one of the most adventurous and suggestive ways to visit the Cinque Terre is by mountain bike. The High Path of the Cinque Terre will welcome you with its breathtaking views of the sea and the colorful villages. If you are instead a curious gastronome, we suggest trying a bike tour with tasting of local products in the suggestive Gulf of Poets: a day you will not easily forget!

Muscles and taste buds ready? Start a day or a green holiday, totally immerse yourself in the magical scenes of Liguria and the Cinque Terre!