This guidebook is dedicated to everyone who wishes to visit the hillsides around the city of Bologna. It is a beautiful area with wonderful scenery, close to a major city with a long cultural tradition. Bologna provides hospitality to large numbers of tourists each year, many of whom wish to know more about the surrounding countryside, the history and culture of the city, and the local food and wine. The guidebook includes practical tips about the best itineraries to follow to visit the vineyards in the Bolognese hills. These itineraries include magnificent views, feudal castles and the land once worked by tenant farmers for the lord of the manner. The land is often planted with flourishing vineyards providing full-bodied, genuine, fine tasting wines, now made in the cellars of local farms. 

Don't miss the local food. It doesn't just taste good: it looks good too. The area has a large number of excellent restaurants, often small family businesses which have handed down their cooking skills from generation to generation. There are such a variety of itineraries it is impossible to recommend only one: you can go from Marzabotto to Medelana, for example, or from Sasso Marconi to Mongardino, from Casalecchio di Reno to Tizzano, or from Pianoro to Riosto. Everywhere you go will be tinged by the sunlight, making the fields look like extremely well-kept gardens. The vineyards are often close to, or surrounded by, woodlands. The woods help keep the soil compact and fresh, without preventing the sun from reaching the grapes on the vine. The soil is important for the characteristics of Bolognese wines, and is the product of the close relationship between the vineyards and woodlands. Bacchus, after all, is always depicted in the company of Satyrs and woodland elves. Just when you're enjoying the natural scenery you'll suddenly notice a seventeenth century mansion standing proudly at the head of its ancient property, or the bell-tower of a parish church rising up into the sky.  All of the valleys in the area can be visited: the Idice, Savena, Reno, Lavino, Samoggia and Panaro, not rivers but large seasonal torrents, flowing strongly at some times of the year, at others quite dry. This geographical formation has led to the creation of many winding roads, which slowly climb the sides of the valleys and skirt the woodlands. 

Nearly all the vineyards are close to these rather steep, winding country roads, which will also take you past castles and abbeys, the remains of a Medieval world which built upon other remains from previous civilisations. This guidebook briefly describes each of the villages you come across and  the nearby farm tourism spots where you can stop to have lunch or dinner, or just to look around.There are also a large number of private wine cellars in the area. They produce the grapes which the Colli Bolegnesi Wine Consortium turns into wine. Watch out for the Quality Sign, "Asso di Coppe", used for wine produced with the DOC quality label.These small farms are happy to show visitors around the winery and the cellars, where special bottles can be purchased for consumption with the family or friends. 

It is our hope that visitors - whatever the chosen itinerary - will enjoy the warmth of the hospitality they receive and will wish to return. This guidebook is intended to be useful to visitors but also to the wine makers in the area, pointing out the characteristics of their wines and how they can be best matched to foods. These wines are the product of long tradition and craft skills - an entire culture - which can best be appreciated with a little time and some essential information. Special thanks go to the Restaurants taking part in the project. Their cooperation with local wine producers is one of the most significant aspects of the work that has been carried out to enable visitors to get the best out of their stay. The chefs, wine waiters and owners of these restaurants are the real promoters of the area's cuisine and wines. We wish them every success. And, of course, we wish you - the reader - the greatest pleasure in tasting the traditional dishes they serve, accompanied by the best choice of local wine. 

Pio Vannozzi