Cyclando
Autumn in Cinque Terre: but why? Perhaps you have asked yourself this question a few times and in fact, when someone talks about such a famous coastal location, it comes natural to remove it from your thoughts once the summer is over. And yet there are many good reasons to visit Cinque Terre in Autumn: nature is still thriving, the climate is perfect for hiking and perhaps even a last swim, there are fewer tourists around, but above all there is the harvest.
The flavors of Cinque Terre: the harvest of Schiacchetrà
Throughout September, depending on the year of course, in some specific areas of the province of La Spezia you can find the Schiacchetrà harvest, the passito DOC wine obtained from vineyards grown on terraces. Other than being a denomination of controlled origin, it is also a product protected by Slow Food thanks to its millennial history. Its name derives from the word “sciacàa” which means to crush.
The main grapes used are Bosco, Albarola and Vermentino which give the Schiacchetrà its characteristic golden-yellow color, its intense passito aroma and its sweet taste. Its origins could date back to the eighth century B.C., when Greek exiles arrived in Riomaggiore and introduced the technique of drying of the grapes. Despite being little known, Schiacchetrà is a very important wine, especially for its history and for the difficulty in growing the vines. In this case we can speak of heroic viticulture, where vineyards are arranged in terraces carved into steep hillsides and cliffs sloping straight towards the Ligurian sea. The area is so steep that fruit is often transported from the vineyards on a specially adapted monorail system. All this effort, however, is always repaid by a product of excellent quality, perfect to accompany the dishes of Ligurian cuisine and not only those!
we can speak of heroic viticulture, where vineyards are arranged in terraces carved into steep hillsides and cliffs sloping straight towards the Ligurian sea - Photo: VendemmiaMovieWitnessing the harvest of this incredible wine is a unique experience in life, because not only does the tradition emerge, but so does the determination, the passion and the great love that every winemaker puts into their land despite the extreme conditions. This is also the perfect moment to taste a good glass of Cinque Terre DOC accompanied by Mediterranean flavors.
But Cinque Terre in Autumn is this alone?
Hiking and photography: the perfect combination
When the masses of tourists leave the beaches and the ancient villages, then is the perfect time to discover all the authenticity of the location. September and October are the ideal months to plan a hike to Cinque Terre as the air is cooler and the paths less crowded. There is time to dedicate to one’s passion for photography, trying to capture the “golden hour” that colors the entire landscape with a warm and enveloping light.
These are the reasons why you should join us on a five-day hike until the end of October, discovering Cinque Terre and Portofino. We set off from Sestri Levante and move on to Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. Then we make a stop on the island of Palmaria, the only one inhabited in Liguria, and Portovenere. From there we make our way back to Corniglia, visit Manarola and Riomaggiore, and complete our hike in Portofino.
Five days amidst the Mediterranean maquis shrubland, ancient villages, good Ligurian cuisine and the unavoidable Sciacchetrà!
September and October are the ideal months to plan a hike to Cinque Terre as the air is cooler and the paths less crowded.
