It would be too easy to highlight the wine tourism experience at Cantina Capellini solely by focusing on the unique elements that set it apart, such as its enviable location and the tourism that floods the 5 Terre year-round. But after meeting Mirco Capellini, his wife Laura Ampollini, and his father Luciano Capellini in person, I realized that the true ingredients of their success go far beyond that.
The territory and the people behind the success
The first thing that strikes you is the territory: a breathtaking landscape perched over the sea, with a vineyard that captivates both the eyes and the imagination. However, no territory can succeed on its own without the people who know how to enhance it. And it is precisely the people who are the beating heart of Cantina Capellini. Meeting Mircoand Laura, and then Luciano, gave me all the keys to understanding their success.
Intuition and vision
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Laura and Mirco had a vision: while standing in the vineyard, they realized that this place could become a space open to everyone, a place to introduce people to the wines of the 5 Terre. This intuitionwas the starting point of an extraordinary journey.
Courage
Laura left her job to fully dedicate herself to this project. She started studying and, step by step, created one of the most original and well-curated open-air hospitality experiences I have ever seen.
Work and effort
Just walking the 300 meters along the path to reach the gate of the estate is enough to understand how much work is required to offer experiences in such a challenging territory. For the Capellini family, effort is a relative concept; for them, heroic viticulture is simply natural. Luciano’s words deeply resonated with me: “We abhor the term effort; we prefer to talk about the beauty and goodness of things.”
Study and observation
Laura and Mirco told me how much they had studied and observed, drawing inspiration from places they had visited and from the literature on wine tourism, including works published by Wine Meridian. Their ability to put these ideas into practice with originality is admirable.
Enthusiasm
The enthusiasm, in the literal sense of “having God within,” is palpable from the first glance at Mirco and Laura. Their light, joy, and ability to make every guest feel welcome are key aspects of their success.
Originality
Despite the continuous flow of tourists passing by the estate, Laura and Mirco have never grown complacent. They continue to come up with new ideas, like the sandal made from the waste materials of wine production, showcasing an incredible capacity for innovation.
Hospitality and humility
The ability to appreciate every guest as if they were the most important one and the humility to recognize that they are only at the beginning and need everyone and everything are qualities that distinguish the Capellini family.
The wine tourism experience at Cantina Capellini is an extraordinary example of how success comes from the union of territory, people, and innovation. Each visit is not only a journey into the heart of the 5 Terre but also an encounter with a family that has managed to turn their passion into a life project, capable of welcoming and inspiring everyone who visits.
