Roncolo 1888

Sitting in the Emilia-Romagna region is Venturini Baldini, a 130-hectare estate of woodland, rolling pastures, and organic vineyards. 16th-century Villa Manodori lies at the heart, and next to that in one of the historic outbuildings is Roncolo 1888, a stylish B&B where quality is at the fore, and attention to detail can be spotted throughout.

Located 20 minutes from Reggio Emilia, just over half an hour from Parma, 45 minutes from Modena, and an hour from Bologna, wine and food lovers will be in their element – the region is the home of Parma ham, Mortadella, balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, tagliatelle ragu (spaghetti bolognese in the UK), and tortellini. Not to mention the quaffable and lightly sparkling Pignoletto, a little-known grape that makes an ideal aperitif. Roncolo 1888 is a dream base from which to explore the area and all of those delicacies.

Breakfast is served buffet-style, with a selection of local produce on offer ranging from cheese and charcuterie to cake and yoghurt; plus eggs made to order.

There may not be a restaurant on-site at the moment, but lunches and dinners can be catered for upon request, and there’s no shortage of top places to eat in and around the region. One Michelin-starred Ca' Matilde is just a short 5-minute car ride away, where Andrea Incerti Vezzani is at the helm delivering a daily-changing menu. “Fantasy, technique and home flavours: my kitchen tells my story, who I am and what I want to convey,” says Andrea. And Massimo Bottura’s three-starred Osteria Francescana can be found in Modena.

The super comfy rooms fuse contemporary with country chic – think wooden beams, statement chairs, cushions and throws infusing flashes of colour, and modern fittings. It’s worth noting that there are no rooms on the ground floor and the property is child- and pet-friendly (the latter by arrangement). The team can also cater for weddings – what an amazing spot to tie the knot.

Surrounded by gardens and with an inviting pool to lounge around, Roncolo 1888 is the ideal spot for downtime, in-between sampling the winery’s products. As well as producing Lambrusco that the area is known for (the grape has a far better reputation in Italy than in other countries), the estate also makes Pinot Grigio, Pinot Nero, Pinot Meunier, and Malvasia di Candia Aromatica. Plus a selection of vinegar – stored in barrels made from various woods such as ash, oak and cherry, each gives the balsamic a distinct flavour profile.

Locally, Quattro Castello is close by: one of the four castles the town was named after is still standing (Bianello) – built on a hill, it’s worth checking out the historic landmark and admiring the views.

And vehicle enthusiasts will definitely want to head for Motor Valley: centering around Bologna, Modena, and Maranello, the towns are the birthplace of some of the world’s most renowned sports cars (think Ferrari and Lamborghini), and home to a number of museums and attractions.

Free parking is available.

Free Wi-fi is available.

Quattro Castella: 15-minute drive

Bianello Castle: 20 minutes

Parma: 40 minutes

Maranello: 45 minutes

Modena: 50 minutes

• Bologna: 1.25 hours