Castello Di Spessa

Staying at Castello di Spessa, in Capriva del Friuli, is an unforgettable experience, enchanting for its century-old heritage and beauty. In over eight centuries of its history, Castello di Spessa has hosted several notable families and figures, including Giacomo Casanova and Lorenzo Da Ponte.

All rooms – set in the quiet of the castle grounds overlooking the hills – are air-conditioned with free WI-FI access, equipped with flat-screen TV, safe, minibar.

• Spacious showers, double pillows, quilted sack
• Breakfast in the ancient halls of the castle
• Bistrot Il Gusto di Casanova inside the Manor
• Free electric car recharge for Castle guests
• Casanova xr walking park and trail
• Bikes and dedicated maps available at reception
• Restaurants La Tavernetta al Castello and Hosteria del Castello

THE HISTORY
The origins of Castello di Spessa date back to the Roman ages, with the documented presence of a watchtower and a kiln; the castle itself dates back to the thirteenth century. Over the centuries, the various families who owned Castello di Spessa accommodated some notable figures including Giacomo Casanova and Lorenzo Da Ponte. Here is the timeline of our history.

13TH CENTURY
The Ungrispach family builds the castle on the hill of Capriva. This hypothesis seems to be credited by the presence of the family crest divided into that of the Eck family and carved on the well next to the fountain in the front yard.

1532
Raimondo Dorinbergo leaves the fief of Spessa to his daughter Dorotea, who brings it as her dowry to the Rassauer de Ratscha family. Giovannina Rassauer was born from this union.

1547
On Massimiliano II request, Giovannina Rassauer married Sigismondo I della Torre: the family, who boast being descended from Charlemagne, remain the owners of the castle and the fief for over three hundred years.

1773
Luigi Torriani hosts Giacomo Casanova: the adventurer and writer leaves the castle after a few weeks because he quarrels with the count because of an affair with a maid of the castle, Sgualda.

BETWEEN 1779 AND 1790
Lorenzo Da Ponte, librettist best known for his collaboration with Mozart, resides at the castle. These are the years in which various associations are founded, including The Noble Society of Knights of Diana the Huntress, whose members, almost all of them nobles, are also found in Spessa for hunting purposes.

BETWEEN 1879 AND 1880
After a century of dismemberment of the properties of Spessa by the Torriani, Rodolfo Voelkl, a rich oriental spice merchant buys the castle between 1879 and 1880, and starts a complete renovation of the building, completed in 1901.

1901 – 1916
In the early 1900s the castle change its ownership again: first the Roeckerath of Leipzig, then the Bursar of San Serff, to whom we owe the construction of the park that still surrounds the castle today. During the war the underground part of the castle was seized from the Economo family. Seat of military commands, Spessa hosted both Marshal Cadorna and Marshal Diaz.

BETWEEN 1925 AND 1949
The castle will be owned by Anna Sartorio and Salvatore Segrè for over 20 years. At their death, their adopted son Giorgio Stavro di Santarosa sets up a winery business and a gallop breeding farm called “Allevamento di Spessa”.

1939
Shortly before the onset of the Second World War, a bunker is built on the property, which is first occupied by the German soldiers and successively by the American army.

LATE EIGHTIES
The castle is purchased by the current owners, the Pali family.

SUITE
Two Suites that celebrate the Segrè family, who resided in the castle in 1900, and Casanova, who sojourned there for a couple of months in 1773. The spacious en-suite rooms of 61 to 71 square metres come with a comfortable king size bed and full amenities.

JUNIOR SUITE
Two Junior family suites that celebrate the Torriani and Rassauer families of the Friulian nobility who resided in the castle over the centuries. The spacious en-suite rooms of 47 to 54 square metres come with a comfortable king size bed and full amenities.

COUNT’S SELF-CATERING APARTMENT
The apartment owes its name to count Giorgio Stavro Santarosa, nephew of Anna and Salvatore Segrè Sartorio, who at the beginning of the twentieth century established the estate he inherited from his father as a prominent wine making operation. Accommodation size: 170 square metres.

LA TAVERNETTA
Just below Castello di Spessa, La Tavernetta al Castello offers ten country-chic en-suite rooms: doubles, twin, and triples. From the balcony of your room you can take in the relaxing views of the hills, the vineyards, the castle, and the golf course, while the restaurant downstairs entices the senses with a choice of fine meat and seafood dishes inspired by the regional cuisine.

THE CASALE IN COLLINA
Starlit skies and the calming sounds of nature – nothing more. The Casale in Collina, is where you can rekindle with your inner self without renouncing the privilege of the resort facilities and the wonderful views of the estate and castle.

THE APARTMENTS NESTLED AMID THE VINEYARDS
You can wake up, open your windows and indulge in the beauty of nature. Experience a totally relaxing stay in one of the apartments that enjoy views on the vineyards and golf course beyond.

LA TAVERNETTA AL CASTELLO RESTAURANT
Here, in the gourmet restaurant of the resort, we will welcome you into the fine and elegant rural atmosphere of the restaurant, which is enhanced the lighting and an exquisitely orchestrated mise en place, where Chef Antonino Venica offers his loving take on Friulian cuisine with a modern twist. A symphony of flavours and small gestures that define the unique style of La Tavernetta.

“Over the years I have seen many new techniques, trends, and fashions come and go. I believe in seasonality and the genuineness of dishes that satisfy the eye as well as the taste buds; dishes that are light and healthy. I am open to experimenting in the kitchen, but with an eye to tradition. I follow the seasonality of all the products: meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, cheeses, and charcuterie. I have no problem telling my guests that some dishes are simply “not available”: in a globalized world where anything can be found everywhere at any time, it is a luxury to enhance locally-sourced sustainable produce”. (Antonino Venica, chef at La Tavernetta al Castello)

BISTROT IL GUSTO DI CASANOVA
Located in a frescoed room at the entrance of the Castle, with the large garden and its 12 indoor seats, it is not meant to be a restaurant but a place suspended in time, capable of bringing back forgotten emotions and sensations, creating the perfect atmosphere for give value to your relationships, during a delicious break, a tasty snack, an appetizing aperitif.

A journey to discover the Estate’s wines served with small pairings recommended by our Sommelier. The raw materials are carefully selected from Friulian producers of excellence. Simplicity, care and dedication are the criteria with which each small, mostly cold pairing is proposed.

HOSTERIA DEL CASTELLO
Immersed in the tranquillity of the golf course the Hosteria del Castello welcomes foodies and wine lovers in an informal, easy atmosphere, ideal for quick lunches and refreshments. In summer enjoy dining al-fresco on the terrace overlooking golf course.

At Hosteria del Castello enjoy the informal genuine dishes made with a variety of locally-sourced produce, which are different over the course of the seasons. Indulge in delicious charcuteries, Friulian cheeses, flavourful pastas, risottos, and meat and fish dishes

WEDDINGS AT THE CASTLE 
The castle is the ideal venue for the ultimate romantic wedding in every season of the year, celebrated either outdoors or in the beautiful stately halls. The wedding ceremony, celebrated in the gardens or in the halls.

The aperitif, served against the backdrop of the stunning Collio hills, and the banquette held in the splendid stately halls of the castle. Castello di Spessa is more than a romantic fairytale venue: it is the ideal wedding destination for any idea you have mind of a perfect wedding reception.

We can host up to three hundred guests for the ceremony and the reception, either at the castle or in one of the restaurants on the grounds, or still, at the Casa di Caccia, hunting lodge.

With longstanding experience, we provide an all-round organization of the wedding: from the right photographer to capture the memories and stories of your wedding, to the floral and lighting décor, and live music. We also offer suggestions regarding pyrotechnic displays, the cadeau, and the wedding cake design.

You can choose to celebrate a civil, symbolic or ethnic ceremony in one of the most suggestive spots on the castle grounds. Religious ceremonies in the churches nearby. With the possibility of accommodating over ninety people within the resort, we offer various solutions to fit your needs and expectations.

Elegantly frescoed dining rooms and a fabulous view of the castle: La Tavernetta al Castello is a venue for your wedding reception that will enchant your guests with its lovely atmosphere and the deliciously original dishes created for the occasion by Chef Venica and his team.

La Tavernetta al Castello has three dining rooms and can seat up to over 100 people. The Fireplace Dining room offers a snug, intimate atmosphere, while the Frescoed Dining room and the Veranda are more generous and airy and are well suited for wedding receptions. The gazebos in the garden are the perfect setting for the wedding welcome aperitifs on a bright shiny day, with a wonderful view of the castle.

WINE TASTING
The guided tour of the medieval ageing wine cellar is followed by a tasting of 3 white wines from the Estate. Service is provided with bread, breadsticks and focaccia. Included in the package: one bottle of Castello di Spessa DOC Collio white wine.

FOOD & WINE TASTING
The guided tour of the medieval ageing wine cellar is paired with a tasting of three of the Estate’s wines and a snack of Friulian PDO specialities, a symbol of the region’s tradition. To follow if you want a walk in the centuries-old park of Castello di Spessa in the footsteps of Giacomo Casanova.​

THE VINUM SPA
The multisensory experience in the Vinum SPA, which extends over 2000 square meters of total well-being, lets you discover the most authentic and profound spirit of the extraordinary Collio hills, where traditions and nature are revealed.

The beneficial properties of the active ingredients of grapes and its derivatives are the basis of the treatments and cosmetics of Castello di Spessa Vinum SPA.

An oasis of wellness immersed in the green of the luxuriant nature of Collio, where you can inebriate yourself with scents, colors and flavors, enjoying a breathtaking view on the vineyards that cover the hills giving us extraordinary wines.

Everything in the SPA leads back to grapes and wine: the frescoes on the walls, the vats for wine therapy, the massages with hot stones obtained from the Collio marl.

But also the names of the treatments, the essences with the aroma of grapes and must, the herbal teas derived from grape leaves and juice grapes and the comfortable armchairs made from ancient oak barrels.

The treatments are carried out with natural cosmetics produced with our grapes, created exclusively for Castello di Spessa Golf Wine Resort & SPA using the grape seeds, grape must, wine and grappas of the Estate.

A corner is dedicated to Grappatherapy, a treatment with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and invigorating action, ending with a tasting of grappa from the Estate made from the pomace of our wines.

WELLNESS AREA – GROUND FLOOR

• Finnish sauna with tiled stove
• Emotional showers with chromotherapy
• Kneipp path with Isonzo river stones
• Ice waterfall
• Shower bucket
• Steam bath
• Filtered water fountain
• Herbal teas room
• Relaxation rooms with panoramic view
• Indoor swimming pool with airpool and wirpool hydromassage

SUMMER CLUB
In the enchanting natural setting of the gentle hills of Collio, the Summer Club is the summer proposal of Castello di Spessa Golf Wine Resort & SPA. An elegant and refined context in which excellent services blend with a dream landscape and allow you to enjoy your time in a privileged setting.

Surrounded by greenery, our Summer Club is the ideal destination for those looking for relaxation in a well-kept and quiet environment. At Castello di Spessa Golf Wine Resort & SPA Summer Club, you will find, at any time of day, your dimension in a place in harmony with nature.

Starting in the morning with the Italian breakfast, passing by the aperitif at sunset, to finish with dinner in our restaurants, in the full feeling of being harmonious with the surrounding nature.

SUMMER CLUB – EXTERNAL AREA

• Swimming pool with waterfalls
• Panoramic heated whirlpool
• Panoramic terrace overlooking the vineyards
• Canopied double sunbeds
• Single sunbeds
• Corner dedicated to tasting the Estate’s wines
• “Gazebo del Conte” for relaxation for couples – on reservation
• Dedicated changing rooms

GOLF
Castello di Spessa Golf & Country Club is a gem in the heart of the Collio hills which boasts a nicely laid out course in a gently rolling landscape dotted with vineyards and olive groves. The ponds and fountains give the course a charm that only comes with age.

Castello di Spessa is an old-school parkland style golf course that offers a variety of landscapes and fairways that give golfers the feeling of playing on three different courses.
Each hole bears the name of a wine from the estate.

THE COLLIO ON TWO WHEELS
A bicycle ride is the best way to take in the wonderful views of the Collio hills and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. At Castello di Spessa we provide a range of bikes for hire, as well as bike servicing and e-bike charging. Plus, there are many bike routes and itineraries we can suggest for cycling lovers to try.

APIARY
The walk from the castle to the apartments and then from the farm to the Hunter’s Lodge is unmissable. The apiary is not far away and our honey, obtained from the synergy between bees and vines, “Miele delle Vigne” allows bees to live in an ideal, peaceful environment at the edge of the forest. Our vineyards are handled in a way that does not disturb the natural biological cycle of bees.

HELIPORT
Castello di Spessa Golf Wine Resort & SPA has a helicopter landing and take-off area directly inside the Resort dedicated exclusively to the landing of rotary-wing aircraft. Guests can arrive and depart with the maximum comfort, speed and privacy that this vehicle can offer. Upon request, we can arrange transfers to and from major airports or to other destinations with helipads.

TEATRO DI VERZURA
One of its kind in Friuli Venezia Giulia, the Teatro di Verzura, with green grassy bleachers sloping down to the stage shaded by the branches of a 100-year-old oak tree, and with flowering bushes and statues marking the gentle slope, can host up to 500 spectators and echoes the tradition of Italian Gardens.

The Teatro di Verzura enriches the cultural offerings of Castello di Spessa, a place of beauty and culture that hosted Giacomo Casanova and Lorenzo da Ponte, Mozart’s librettist. The structure is perfectly integrated into the park, embraced by beautiful, geometric vineyards, which were already referred to in the 19th century as Weingarten, or Wine Gardens, due to their beauty (unique in Collio).

Its realization is a tribute to the territory and recalls the morphological characteristics of Collio (the stalls steps reproduce the terracing of the vineyards, the orchestra pit reproduces a small pond, like those found nearby), in order to give the audience an experience not only of art, but of complete immersion in the nature and culture of the territory.

FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA
The Collio area is a pearl set in a region that is spectacular in every season. From Castello di Spessa you can easily reach some of the most interesting and suggestive sites of the region.

From the Venetian-style piazzas in Udine to the beautiful imperial buildings of Trieste, and still, from the Alpine peaks to the sandy beaches of the Upper Adriatic Sea, and then the ancient Roman sites, medieval churches and Longobard cities. Friuli Venezia Giulia is indeed a land that is nothing short of surprising.

The area also boasts several nature reserves, biotope protection areas, and unspoilt wilderness where enjoy nature in all its beauty, in every season. Not far from Castello di Spessa Resort, a wide range of opportunities for entertainment and shopping, for a captivating and fun stay.

Rooms: 14

Price: from 140 EUR per night

Source: www.castellodispessa.it