It is neither a pub legend nor a temporary installation. In Abruzzo, there is a wine fountain that pours Montepulciano d’Abruzzo day and night, free of charge, for anyone who approaches with a glass.
The Abruzzo wine fountain is a permanent feature within a working winery, created for walkers and travellers making their way through the coast and hills.
In Villa Caldari, a frazione (small hamlet) of Ortona, the tap does not pour water. Over the years, the simple act of filling a glass has become a small ritual that can make the detour worthwhile.
- Where the Abruzzo wine fountain is
- How it works: is the wine fountain really free?
- Why it exists: the Cammino di San Tommaso and Abruzzo hospitality
- What it looks like: a 50-hectolitre barrel turned into an experience
- How to reach the Ortona wine fountain
- What to see nearby: Ortona and the Trabocchi Coast
- Living in Ortona
Where the Abruzzo wine fountain is
The Abruzzo wine fountain is in Villa Caldari, within the municipality of Ortona, in the province of Chieti. It's located on the estate of Cantina Dora Sarchese, a few kilometres from the Adriatic coast. It is considered the first fountain in Italy to dispense wine continuously: a tribute to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and to hospitality along the region’s historic walking routes.
It is accessed through the winery grounds, where the fountain forms part of the visitor route between courtyards, vine rows and production areas. There is no need to complete the whole Cammino di San Tommaso to reach it. A dedicated stop can be worked into a weekend among the hills and coast.
How it works: is the wine fountain really free?
Yes. Abruzzo’s wine fountain dispenses Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 24 hours a day, free of charge, during the facility’s opening periods. There is no need to buy anything or book in advance. Visitors simply approach, use a glass or take one on site, then turn the tap.
The initiative began as a gesture of welcome for pilgrims and travellers, rather than a commercial stunt, and that spirit remains clearly visible in the experience.
Why it exists: the Cammino di San Tommaso and Abruzzo hospitality
The project grew out of an idea by two Abruzzo walkers, Dina Cespa and Luigi Narcisi, who helped promote the Cammino di San Tommaso, the route connecting Rome and Ortona.
While walking the Camino de Santiago, they came across the historic fountain at Bodegas Irache in Estella, Navarre. The idea was to bring something similar to their home hills, centred on the grape variety most closely associated with the region.
The idea was then taken to Nicola D’Auria, who runs Cantina Dora Sarchese. He decided to turn it into a tribute to Abruzzo’s hospitality and local wine.
The stated aim was not instant online fame, but encounters with people travelling on foot or simply out of curiosity, restoring wine to its long-held role as a symbol of sociability.
What it looks like: a 50-hectolitre barrel turned into an experience
Architect Rocco Valentini designed the structure around an old 50-hectolitre barrel, turning it into an immersive passageway. It feels a little like entering a small gallery: light filters through, the scent of old wood recalls the winery setting, and a tap dispensing Montepulciano d’Abruzzo rather than water appears ahead.
At the entrance, an engraved phrase invites visitors to enjoy the wine while remembering the uncertainty of travel. The structure works as a small open-air museum dedicated to Abruzzo wine, combining evocative architecture with a contemporary use and little unnecessary fuss.
How to reach the Ortona wine fountain
The wine fountain can be visited during Cantina Dora Sarchese’s opening hours, which may vary by season, public holidays and private events. To reach Ortona:
- By car: take the Ortona exit on the A14 motorway. Then follow the SP Marruccina towards Orsogna for several kilometres, following signs for Cantina Dora Sarchese.
- By train: Ortona railway station is connected to the Adriatic line and to Abruzzo’s main cities, including Pescara, Lanciano and Chieti. A taxi, transfer or hire car is then needed for the journey between Ortona and Villa Caldari.
- By air: the most convenient airport is Pescara Abruzzo Airport, around 40 km away. Ancona or Bari are alternatives for those arriving from outside the region, followed by a road journey to Ortona.
What to see nearby: Ortona and the Trabocchi Coast
A stop at Abruzzo’s wine fountain can easily become an introduction to a varied area, where the sea and countryside are only minutes apart.
- Ortona has a historic centre with lanes leading down to the port, views over the Adriatic and the Basilica of San Tommaso Apostolo, the end point of the walking route of the same name.
Costa dei Trabocchi: this stretch of coast is dotted with historic wooden fishing structures suspended above the water.
It also has a panoramic cycling route. Rocky headlands, beaches and seaside trattorie make it possible to pair a tasting among the vines with lunch overlooking the Adriatic.
With more time, the route can extend to inland towns including Lanciano, Guardiagrele and Vasto, as well as nature trails towards the Maiella and Gran Sasso.
Living in Ortona
Anyone visiting the area and beginning to picture a life here would not be the first. Ortona is one of Abruzzo’s coastal towns where the balance between quality of life and property costs remains favourable.
This area of Abruzzo has schools, services, an active port and rail links with Pescara and Lanciano. The surrounding countryside, with the vineyards of Villa Caldari and cultivated hills, is just minutes from the town.
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