Pic nic Deluxe Assisi and wine tasting 5 wines

The best part of this Assisi wine experience comes after the tasting: you follow a map through SAIO’s vineyards and olive groves to a covered veranda with clear views of the Basilica of Saint Francis. It feels less like a quick winery stop and more like a slow country lunch near town.

I like the five-wine tasting, which gives you a proper introduction to the producer, and I like the generous food spread, including pecorino, Subasio Mountain cured meats, Torta al Testo, and a bottle of wine for each couple. The main thing to consider is transport. SAIO is close to the basilica by distance, but the route is not a pleasant walk from Assisi on busy roads.

Key points

• Five Umbrian wines: The guided tasting explains how SAIO makes its wines and lets you choose a favorite for lunch.
• A family-run setting: The Mencarelli family has produced wine and extra virgin olive oil here for decades.
• A short vineyard walk: Use the complimentary map and information boards to explore the vines and olive groves at your own pace.
• A generous picnic: Expect bread, olive oil, pecorino, cured meats, Torta al Testo, cookies, water, and one bottle of SAIO wine per couple.
• A prime Assisi view: The veranda sits about 800 meters from the Basilica of Saint Francis, with the church rising above the vineyards.
• Weather matters: From April through October, outdoor conditions are generally the best bet. In bad weather, the tasting and picnic move indoors.

A Vineyard Lunch Beneath Assisi

SAIO sits at the foot of the hills around Assisi, about 875 yards, or 800 meters, from the Basilica of Saint Francis. That location gives this outing its special character. You are close enough to connect the wine with one of Italy’s great pilgrimage towns, yet far enough from the church crowds to hear the countryside instead.

I like the setting because it puts Assisi into the meal rather than treating the town as a backdrop you see only from a bus window. From the veranda, the basilica, vineyards, olive groves, and old oak trees create a view that works best when you slow down and stay awhile.

The activity lasts about two and a half hours. It is not a formal vineyard lecture followed by a hurried snack. The pace allows time for the tasting, a walk, and a proper lunch. If you are trying to fit in every church and museum in Assisi, this will take a meaningful part of your day. If you want a break from sightseeing, that is exactly its strength.

Meeting the Mencarelli Family’s Winery

SAIO is a family-run wine and olive oil producer operated by the Mencarelli family. The family has been making wine and extra virgin olive oil for decades, and that family connection shapes the visit.

At the wine shop on Via Campiglione 94, you begin with your host or greeter. Italian and English are offered, and Agnese has hosted many of the tastings. She is known for explaining the wines clearly and warmly, making this a comfortable introduction if you do not know much about Umbrian wine.

The tasting is guided rather than simply a row of glasses set before you. You try five wines and learn about their production. That matters because the tasting becomes more than a shopping opportunity. You get some context for what is in your glass and a basis for choosing the bottle you want with lunch.

The exact order and selection of wines can change, so do not arrive expecting a fixed list. Think of the five pours as a broad sample of SAIO’s production. Pay attention to which wine suits your taste, since one bottle of your choice is included for each couple.

Five Wines and a Practical Introduction to Umbria

The wine tasting is the most educational part of the outing. Information boards around the property add another layer, explaining wine and viticulture in a simple, visual way. You receive a map, so you can connect what you hear in the tasting room with the vines outside.

I would ask questions during the tasting, even if you are new to wine. This is a friendly place to learn how grapes, soil, olive groves, and local food fit together. You do not need specialist vocabulary, and the format does not require you to pretend you can detect twelve different aromas in a glass.

The tasting also sets up the picnic. Once you have tried all five wines, you can select the bottle you liked best for the meal. A couple receives one bottle, while additional bottles and extra tastings cost more.

That arrangement is generous at this price, but solo visitors should understand the wording. The included bottle is one per couple, not one per person. A pair sharing lunch gets a full bottle, which is plenty for most people after five tasting pours.

Walking the Vineyards and Olive Groves

After the tasting, you can walk through the property using the map. The route leads among the vineyards, olive groves, and old oak trees. The walk is not described as a strenuous hike, but it is still a rural path rather than a paved city promenade.

The freedom to explore on your own is part of the appeal. You are not kept in a tight group while a guide points out every row of vines. You can pause at the information boards, look at the grapes when they are ripe, and take in the view toward Assisi.

This is also the portion most affected by weather. After rain, the path can become muddy, and the soft soil may cling to your shoes. Wear shoes you do not mind getting dirty. A guest who visited after rain found the walk less enjoyable because of the mud, while a warm, dry day made it a relaxed stroll.

The walk has a seasonal rhythm. April through October is considered the best time to visit, when outdoor dining and vineyard wandering are most likely to work as intended. SAIO remains open all year, but a winter booking requires more acceptance that the day may feel quiet, cool, or weather-dependent.

The Veranda and the View of Saint Francis

The picnic is served under a veranda in the vineyards. This is the payoff for the walk. You sit outdoors, with Assisi visible across the fields and the Basilica of Saint Francis close by.

The view is particularly useful for photographers because it gives you a clear visual link between the town and the surrounding countryside. You can take pictures of the basilica from a different angle, away from the stone streets around the church.

The veranda also provides shelter from strong sun. On a windy day, the setting may feel more exposed, though a little wind can make the countryside feel lively rather than still. If the weather is poor, the wine tasting and picnic take place in the tasting room instead. You will still receive the food and wine, but you lose the main scenic feature.

That weather policy is sensible, but it is worth keeping in mind before booking in the cooler months. This is primarily an outdoor food experience, and the view is an important part of its value.

What Comes in the Picnic Basket

The meal is made from familiar Umbrian and Perugian foods rather than generic tour snacks. You receive typical Perugia bread with SAIO extra virgin olive oil, pecorino cheese, cured meats from the Subasio Mountains, traditional Umbrian Torta al Testo, Umbrian cookies, and water.

Torta al Testo is a savory local flatbread, traditionally cooked on a hot stone or griddle. It gives the picnic something more regional than a standard bread-and-cheese plate. The cured meats bring a strong connection to the Subasio area, while the olive oil lets you taste another product made by the winery family.

The portions are intended as a full light lunch, not a token tasting plate. The spread includes enough bread, meat, cheese, and sweets to leave you comfortably fed. One useful detail from the food service is that a hot pork item has sometimes been included, but the core published menu is the bread, cheese, cured meats, Torta al Testo, cookies, and olive oil listed above. Do not assume the hot pork will always be part of the meal.

Wine glasses, plates, cutlery, and placemats are supplied. You do not need to pack picnic equipment. The bottle you selected during the tasting is served with the meal, making the transition from learning to eating feel natural.

If you have dietary needs, ask SAIO before booking. A vegan meal has been provided successfully in the past, but the standard menu includes pecorino and cured meats, so special arrangements should not be assumed without confirmation.

Is $52 Per Person Good Value?

At $52 per person, I consider this a strong value for a two-and-a-half-hour outing, particularly for a couple. You get five guided wine samples, a vineyard walk, a generous local meal, table service, and one bottle of wine to share.

The value improves if you were already planning to buy wine or pay for lunch near Assisi. The picnic replaces a separate meal, and the included bottle can also help you compare prices with restaurants and shops in town. Some diners later found SAIO wine on restaurant wine lists in Assisi, which gives the tasting a practical use beyond the afternoon itself.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink alcohol, dislike cured meats and cheese, or mainly want a formal vineyard tour with extensive technical instruction. This is a relaxed family winery visit with food, not a long cellar tour or a highly structured wine course.

Additional tastings and extra bottles are not included. If you want to take wine home, budget separately. The included bottle is enough for the picnic, but wine purchases can quickly change the final cost.

Getting to SAIO from Assisi

The meeting point is the SAIO Wine Shop at Via Campiglione 94, Assisi. The listed GPS coordinates are latitude 43.076725 and longitude 12.585997.

SAIO is near the Basilica of Saint Francis by distance, but the roads matter more than the map. The route from central Assisi is not presented as a comfortable pedestrian walk, and busy roads do not always have sidewalks. I would use a taxi or arrange a suitable ride rather than set off on foot with lunch clothes and good shoes.

From Perugia, take the SS75 and exit at Ospedalicchio Sud, then follow the signs toward Assisi. SAIO is about 9 kilometers, or 5.4 miles, from that exit.

From Foligno, take the SS75 and exit at Santa Maria degli Angeli. At the roundabout beneath the Basilica of Saint Francis, follow the direction for Bastia and Perugia. The winery is about 1.5 kilometers, or 0.9 miles, from there.

One past visitor made the walk from the train station along rural roads, but that is only sensible if you have plenty of time and are comfortable with the route. The safest practical advice is to plan transportation in advance. A taxi can protect the relaxed mood of the outing better than arriving hot, lost, or irritated by traffic.

Who Will Enjoy This Most?

I would choose this for couples, food-minded visitors, and anyone who wants a slower half-day near Assisi. It works well after visiting the basilica, though you should allow time to reach the shop and settle into the tasting.

It is also a good first wine tasting. The five-wine format gives you enough range to find a favorite without turning the visit into a technical seminar. The map and information boards add structure for curious people, while the self-guided walk keeps the outing informal.

Families and mixed groups can enjoy the food and setting, but the main activity centers on wine. Anyone avoiding alcohol may find the price harder to justify unless SAIO confirms a suitable alternative.

The route may be awkward for people who have difficulty walking on uneven or muddy ground. The supplied information does not specify accessibility arrangements, so ask the winery directly if that matters to you.

Booking Tips and Weather Choices

Book ahead if the veranda and Assisi view are important to you, especially from April through October. The activity is available year-round, but the outdoor version depends on dry conditions.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps the booking flexible. For reservations outside normal opening hours, contact SAIO directly.

Bring comfortable shoes with some grip. After rain, vineyard paths can be muddy. In warm weather, sun protection is sensible, while a light layer helps on windy days under the veranda.

If you want a particular wine, pay attention during the tasting and choose it for the included bottle. If you want to bring more home, ask about extra bottles before the meal rather than assuming they are part of the $52 price.

Should You Book the SAIO Picnic?

I would book this if you want local food, five wines, and a memorable view of Assisi in one easy outing. The family setting, the self-guided vineyard walk, and the generous picnic make it feel personal without demanding a full day.

I would skip it only if you need a fully indoor activity, dislike rural paths, or want a serious cellar-focused wine lesson. For most visitors who enjoy a glass of wine and a long view, SAIO offers a relaxed and fairly priced break from Assisi’s churches and crowds.

FAQ

Where does the wine tasting and picnic take place?

The meeting point is the SAIO Wine Shop at Via Campiglione 94 in Assisi. The vineyards and picnic veranda are about 800 meters from the Basilica of Saint Francis.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately two and a half hours.

How many wines are included?

A guided tasting of five wines is included.

Is a bottle of wine included?

Yes. One bottle of SAIO wine of your choice is included for each couple.

What food is served at the picnic?

The picnic includes water, typical Perugia bread, SAIO extra virgin olive oil, pecorino cheese, cured meats from the Subasio Mountains, traditional Umbrian Torta al Testo, and Umbrian cookies.

Are plates and glasses provided?

Yes. Wine glasses, placemats, plates, and cutlery are provided.

Is the picnic held outdoors in bad weather?

No. In bad weather, the wine tasting and picnic take place in the wine tasting room.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter can provide the experience in Italian or English.

Is SAIO open throughout the year?

Yes. SAIO is open all year, though April through October is considered the best time for the outdoor version.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Additional wine tastings and extra bottles are not included in the price.