Be a beekeeper for a day in Vicenza’s volcanic wine country

THE STORY ↓
THE WORKSHOPS ↓ 

A winemaker who is also a beekeeper

Nicola Menti is a winemaker, agronomist and beekeeper. He grew up at Selva di Montebello among Garganega vines, olive trees and orchards, later returning after studies and experiences abroad to work alongside his father, Agostino. The family’s vineyards around Montebello and Gambellara grow on basalt soils formed through ancient volcanic activity. Garganega, a white grape variety closely associated with this part of Veneto, is central to the estate’s production. For wine lovers building an itinerary through northern Italy, this is an opportunity to explore Vicenza’s volcanic terroir with the producer, then taste wines made from the surrounding vineyards.

What connects the bees and the vineyard?

The estate describes an apiary of around 40 hives, alongside flowering plants sown between the vine rows. It also uses green manure, crops grown to improve the soil, and installs nesting shelters for bats and birds. These are useful subjects to explore during a visit: what grows between the vines, where the bees forage, and how the vineyard coexists with orchards and olive trees. Honey and extra virgin olive oil produced by the estate also feature in its published vineyard tasting experience.

 

Two experiences to book

Beekeeper for a Day

A guided introduction to the apiary, suitable for adults and children aged six and over. Protective equipment is supplied, and the winery asks participants to wear comfortable closed shoes. The published format lasts approximately two hours, with a minimum of two participants and a listed price of €30 per person. The winery excludes people with allergies to insect stings from this activity.

Bookings info@mentivini.it
Phone +39 366 870 8066

Vineyard visit and four wine tasting

The “Vineyard Experience” begins among the vines, continues into the cellar and finishes with four wines accompanied by the estate’s own honey and extra virgin olive oil. The published format lasts 90 minutes, requires a minimum of five participants and costs €25 per person. It offers a particularly useful introduction for visitors interested in grape growing, winemaking and the agricultural products of Vicenza.

Bookings info@mentivini.it
Phone +39 366 870 8066

Which wines should you ask about?

The estate’s range offers several expressions of Garganega, including Rivalonga, Libello and the lightly sparkling Bocciolo. It also lists Nostra Historia, a Vin Santo di Gambellara DOC. For a tasting, ask which bottles are included and whether the selection covers still, sparkling and sweet wines. This gives wine enthusiasts a more useful introduction to the grape than choosing a visit solely by the number of glasses served.

Can you visit for something other than a tasting?

The winery also publishes a walking experience through woodland, paths and old vineyard rows, plus “Luci al Castello”, summer evening tastings associated with Montebello’s medieval Castello dei Maltraversi. Contact Menti about the walking itinerary or the next castle programme, specifying your dates and interests. For couples or families planning a rural excursion from Vicenza, the apiary, vineyard visit and walking route offer different ways to spend time with a local producer.

Where can you try beekeeping in Vicenza?

Menti Vini, in Montebello Vicentino, offers a guided “Beekeeper for a Day” experience alongside its vineyard visits and wine tastings. Visitors put on protective clothing and enter the apiary to learn about the colony, the queen and honey production. For travellers looking for unusual things to do in Italy’s wine country, the attraction is the chance to explore two parts of the same agricultural business: its bees and its wines. The experiences are listed separately, so contact the winery if you would like to arrange both during your visit.