Wine Route of Knowledge and Flavors – A journey through taste, identity and landscapes of the Crotone Marquisate. In the heart of eastern Calabria, the Wine Route of Knowledge and Flavors crosses the hills of the Marquisate of Crotone, an area where peasant culture is intertwined with ancient history and intense gastronomy. From Cirò to Cotronei, passing through villages such as Melissa and Strongoli, this itinerary accompanies the visitor through vineyards, olive groves, medieval castles and excellent local products. 🍷 Cirò DOC wine and traditional flavors: The undisputed protagonist of this journey is Cirò DOC, one of the oldest wines in Italy, the result of the Gaglioppo grape variety. This is flanked by Melissa DOC and specialties such as Pecorino Crotonese, durum wheat and the product in the hills. Intense flavors, linked to the land and tradition. 👉 Tip: Book a winery visit in Cirò and take part in a complete tasting with local pairings: you will discover the secrets of a noble and generous wine. 🏰 Among historic villages and Norman castles: Along the way you will encounter villages with strong historical roots. Santa SeverinaStrongoli and Melissa offer evocative views of castles, Byzantine churches and historic centers that are still alive. Places that tell the passage of Normans, Swabians and Aragonese and that preserve stories of resistance and rebirth. 👉 Tip: Stop in Santa Severina and visit the castle: from its bastion you can admire the entire valley planted with vineyards and olive trees. 🌿 Landscapes that tell the story of the land: The hills of the Marquisate open up into a soft and Mediterranean landscape. Neat vineyards, centuries-old olive groves, cereal fields and wooded stretches alternate in a perfect balance. The air is scented with wild herbs and the pace is slow, like the work of the land. 👉 Tip: Explore the area on foot or by bike: between Cirò and Melissa there are panoramic paths ideal for a regenerating walk. 🍴 Simple table, authentic flavor: The cuisine of this part of Calabria is rustic, seasonal and deeply linked to memory. Among the typical dishes: handmade macarruni, ancient wheat bread, crushed olives and desserts with dried figs and walnuts. Each dish is a fragment of history. 👉 Tip: Try a farmhouse dinner with a set menu: you will discover the generosity of a cuisine made with love and local raw materials. 🛌 Sleeping among vineyards and peasant hospitality: Renovated farms, country houses and family-run B&Bs offer genuine hospitality. Some offer experiences such as grape harvesting, olive harvesting or Calabrian cooking workshops. 👉 Tip: Stay in a structure among the vineyards of Cirò: in the morning, the fog rising from the rows creates a magical and timeless atmosphere. The Wine Route of Knowledge and Flavors is much more than a gastronomic journey: it is a journey into agricultural culture, memory and pride of a land that continues to tell its story with the flavor of wine and the voice of its villages.