Nestled in Irpinia – the greenest heart of Southern Italy – a select group of wedding planners embarked on a three-day journey that promised far more than sightseeing borgosangregorio.com. This SoulStir Trip was designed to forge an emotional connection with the land and its people, immersing participants in authentic local experiences and cultural discoveries at every turn. Our home base was Borgo San Gregorio, a charming five-star wine resort that proved to be the logistical and emotional heart of the adventure. Borgo San Gregorio is also the house of the famed Feudi di San Gregorio winery, the beating heart of the estate and a destination in itself for wine lovers. From the moment we arrived, the staff’s warmth and attention to detail made it clear that this wasn’t just a place to stay – it was a place to belong.
Over the next three days, Irpinia’s beauty and uniqueness unfolded before us through experiences carefully curated to reveal the values and heritage of the authentic Irpinian richness borgosangregorio.com. What follows is a day-by-day recollection of a journey that stirred our souls, blending hospitality, tradition, and the refined tastes of Campania into an unforgettable story.
Day 1: A Warm Welcome to Irpinia
The contemporary Feudi di San Gregorio estate, home to Borgo San Gregorio, warmly welcomed us amid Irpinia’s rolling vineyards.
Our adventure began with an afternoon arrival at Borgo San Gregorio, where modern luxury meets rustic charm. Sunlight danced through large windows as we were greeted with flutes of Feudi’s sparkling DUBL wine and genuine smiles. Instantly, we felt at home. The planners in our group – hailing from different countries – exchanged excited glances as the host team from “Say Yes in Italy” (led by Irpinia’s passionate ambassador, Elisabetta Picardi) introduced us to the journey ahead.
There was an unmistakable sense of family in the air. After check-in, we took a leisurely stroll around the estate’s vineyards and gardens, breathing in the fresh mountain air perfumed by wild herbs and oak trees. We learned that Irpinia’s landscape, blanketed in green hills and dotted with tiny villages, has a calming effect – a perfect setting to slow down and connect. As dusk fell, we gathered for a welcome dinner at the Borgo’s own San Gregorio Restaurant, a space whose design seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor beauty borgosangregorio.com. Through glass walls, we watched the sky blush pink over rows of Merlot and Fiano vines, while the Chef presented an elegant spin on local cuisine.
Over plates of handmade cavatelli pasta dressed with decadent Irpinian truffles and slices of artisanal caciocavallo cheese, conversations flowed easily. Each dish told a story – from the sun-ripened tomatoes in the starter (sourced from the Borgo’s organic garden) to the Aglianico red wine in our glasses, a bold vintage born of Irpinia’s volcanic soil. We toasted to the days ahead, clinking glasses and savouring the moment. It wasn’t simply about tasting delicious food; it was about feeling the love and tradition infused in each ingredient. The restaurant’s atmosphere was warm, open, and elegantly minimalist, with wooden tables and soft lighting that made us feel as if we were in a sophisticated countryside home.
By the end of the evening, any formality between us had melted away – we felt like long-time friends. One planner remarked that she hadn’t expected to be so moved on the very first day. As we walked back to our rooms along lantern-lit paths, we were serenaded by the gentle chorus of crickets. Tucked into plush beds at Borgo San Gregorio, we fell asleep feeling sincerely welcomed and already emotionally connected to Irpinia.
Day 2: Traditions, Treasures, and Local Touches
Ancient stone steps at the historic Goleto Abbey – one of Irpinia’s spiritual treasures that connected us with centuries of local history.
Dawn in Irpinia brought clear skies and a sense of anticipation. After a hearty breakfast of fresh ricotta, crusty bread, and honey from nearby chestnut groves, we set off to explore the cultural heart of the region. Our first stop was the Abbazia del Goleto, a 12th-century abbey tucked in the hills. Wandering among its ruins and the beautifully preserved chapel, we felt an almost sacred hush. Golden morning light filtered through cracked stone arches as a local historian recounted the abbey’s stories of faith and resilience. We climbed the ancient steps to the San Luca Chapel, its silence broken only by birdsong, and understood why Irpinia’s heritage grips the soul so firmly. It was as if the stones themselves spoke of the generations of devotion and community that had been woven into this land. The planners – usually busy orchestrating big events – found themselves quietly reflecting, moved by the profound sense of history. This wasn’t a typical tourist visit; it was a pilgrimage into the past, stirring emotions we didn’t expect to feel.
From the abbey, our journey continued through scenic country roads flanked by verdant vineyards and olive groves. We arrived in a small hilltop village (population only a few hundred) just in time for lunch at a family-run agriturismo. The matriarch, Nonna Carmela, welcomed us into her farmhouse kitchen with flour-dusted hands and open arms. In an impromptu cooking lesson, she taught us how to roll gnocchi and stuff ravioli, laughing warmly at our initial awkward attempts.
The meal that followed was pure rustic delight: garden-fresh vegetables sautéed in local olive oil, slow-cooked lamb seasoned with wild rosemary, and jugs of young red wine passed around communal tables. As we dined, village musicians appeared with accordions and tambourines, treating us to the lively rhythms of the Montemarano tarantella, Irpinia’s iconic folk dance. Soon, we were clapping and even joining in the steps – or at least trying to! Laughter and music filled the air, dissolving any language barriers. In that moment, we weren’t outsiders at all, but part of an Irpinian village on a Sunday, embraced by its joy and traditions.
That evening, we experienced a highlight of authentic hospitality: a visit to Tenute Casoli, a historic winery and estate mansion in the small town of Candida. Stepping through the doors of this 18th-century baronial palace, we were transported to a world where winemaking heritage and family pride converge. The young owner-host, a member of the Casoli family, greeted us personally. He led us on a twilight tour of the mansion’s private cellars and its little on-site museum – an exhibition hall devoted to rural Irpinian culture, filled with vintage wine presses and relics of farm life.
With storytelling flair, he recounted how his ancestors had pressed grapes by hand and how the family had revived these traditions in a modern form. We could sense his passion in every word. In the dimly lit tasting room lined with oak barrels, our group gathered for a wine tasting that felt more like an intimate fireside chat. We sampled a crisp Greco di Tufo and a floral Fiano di Avellino, white wines native to this territory, as our host explained the land’s unique volcanic minerals and cool climate that give the wines their character.
There was a hushed moment as we sipped a ruby-red Taurasi – Irpinia’s legendary DOCG red – realising we were tasting history and “diving into some of the unrevealed secrets of the silent and enriching Irpinia”
Dinner at Tenute Casoli was nothing short of magical. They had arranged a long table in the mansion’s old granary hall, under a canopy of rustic beams and sparkling string lights. Dishes kept coming from the kitchen, each one a celebration of local flavour: fluffy potato gnocchi in a hearty tomato sauce, eggplant parmigiana made with the sweetest garden eggplants, and a tender braised beef infused with Aglianico wine. The Casoli family joined us at the table, raising toasts with their limited-reserve vintage.
What struck us all was the genuine warmth: conversation flowed easily about everything from winemaking to family stories to our impressions of Italy. It felt like we were at a friend’s home for a holiday feast rather than at a formal event. Past visitors to Tenute Casoli have described it as an “engaging, memorable experience” in a familiar, cosy atmosphere where passion and conviviality are paramount, and we now knew exactly what that meant. By the time dessert arrived – a ricotta cheese tart with a glass of homemade hazelnut liqueur – a few of us had happy tears in our eyes.
One planner from Canada stood up to say thank you, her voice catching as she expressed how profoundly she’d been touched by the sense of community and authenticity of the day. We returned to Borgo San Gregorio late that night under a sky full of stars, our hearts full as well. In just two days, Irpinia had already given us a lifetime’s worth of inspiration and emotion.
Day 3: A Grand Finale – Elegance and Excellence
An elegant table set amid the contemporary design of Feudi di San Gregorio’s restaurant, where our Gala Dinner celebrated the refined tastes of Campania.
Our final day in Irpinia dawned with a mix of excitement and bittersweet sentiment – excitement for the grand finale to come, and bittersweet because we knew this beautiful journey was nearing its end. After a relaxed morning enjoying coffee on Borgo San Gregorio’s terrace (with panoramic views of misty vineyards), we set out for a behind-the-scenes experience at the Feudi di San Gregorio winery itself. Known as the crown jewel of Irpinia’s wine renaissance, Feudi di San Gregorio is more than just a winery – it’s a living museum of wine and art. The culture of hospitality here has always been a symbolic value of the winery, where knowledge, tradition, passion, and the bond with the territory are profoundly experienced and proudly transmitted to the visitor.
We witnessed this ethos in action. Our guide led us through the sleek, modern facilities – past the “barrel cellar” that felt like a sanctum of oak and wine, through an aromatic herb garden and rose bushes that perfumed our path, and into the striking contemporary art-adorned lobby. As we walked, she described Feudi’s philosophy of marrying wine with artistic expression, and we could see it: sculptures and installations were thoughtfully placed between fermentation tanks and ageing barrels.
We learned how each bottle here, from their flagship Taurasi to their experimental blends, is treated as a work of art crafted with patience and love. The tour culminated in the Wine Theatre, an amphitheatre-style tasting room lined with bottles, where we enjoyed a midday tasting of three exquisite labels. Swirling a glass of Fiano di Avellino, inhaling its bouquet, we understood why Feudi di San Gregorio has become an ambassador of Irpinian wine to the world.
This was excellence in winemaking incarnate – a perfect prelude to the evening ahead.
As sunset approached, we returned to the Borgo to don our finest attire – it was Gala night, after all. The Gala Dinner at Feudi di San Gregorio’s Ristorante San Gregorio was set to be the trip’s crowning moment, and it surpassed every expectation. The restaurant’s main hall had been arranged just for our group: a grand yet inviting table stretched across the room, topped with flickering candles, impeccable place settings, and bouquets of local wildflowers. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls afforded us a dreamy view of the vineyards outside, now silvered by moonlight – a seamless continuity between indoor elegance and nature’s beauty borgosangregorio.com.
The interior design paid homage to Irpinia’s craftsmanship; the parquet floors, wooden tables, and leather chairs were all sourced from local artisans, creating an ambience that was both modern and deeply rooted in the territory’s traditions.
Soft music played in the background as we took our seats, and an anticipatory hush fell over the room.
What followed was a culinary symphony conducted by Feudi’s celebrated chef and sommeliers. Each of the five courses was an ode to Campania’s gastronomic heritage, presented with contemporary finesse. We began with a delicate flan of Montoro artichokes, drizzled in olive oil from Irpinia’s hills, paired with Feudi’s sparkling rosé – a vibrant start that elicited appreciative murmurs.
A risotto came next, creamed with aged Carmasciano cheese (a local speciality) and topped with a sprinkle of black truffle from Bagnoli – its earthy richness uplifted by sips of citrusy Falanghina wine. As plates were cleared and new ones arrived, the conversation at the table grew ever more animated, a blend of awe and delight. The main course, a succulent medallion of beef braised in Taurasi red wine, exemplified the union of refined taste and regional flavour; it was served with Feudi’s flagship Taurasi DOCG, a complex, powerful red that had been breathing for hours just for this moment.
We could taste in it the sun, soil, and soul of Irpinia – truly Campania’s winemaking excellence in a glass. Between courses, our hosts shared anecdotes about each wine and dish, painting a picture of the local farmers, cheesemakers, and winemakers whose dedication made this meal possible. It felt like we were toasting not only our journey but a whole community of artisans.
The dessert was a petite pear poached in Fiano wine, accompanied by a dollop of rich buffalo-milk gelato – a sweet goodbye kiss from Irpinia’s bounty. Glasses of golden passito wine in hand, we raised one final toast. In her toast, Elisabetta (our trip organiser) spoke with emotion: “In these days, Irpinia opened its heart to us.
We came here for inspiration and found a family. May this land’s passion live on in each wedding you plan, each story you tell.” There were glistening eyes and genuine applause. We all felt it – the depth of what had been shared. For Feudi di San Gregorio, the winery is more than a place that produces wine; it is a place where tradition and passion are proudly shared with every guest, and on this night, we truly lived that philosophy. The Gala Dinner was not just a meal, but an experience of hospitality at its finest, a testament to how food and wine can express the spirit of a region. Campania’s legendary hospitality, its refined palate, and its excellence in winemaking all converged in that room, around that table, in each heartfelt laugh and each satisfied smile.
We ended the night back at Borgo San Gregorio’s cosy lounge, kicking off our heels and loosening our ties, not quite ready to let the magic dissipate. Over one last round of amaro liqueur nightcaps, we reflected on the journey. It was hard to believe how much we had seen, learned, and felt in just three days. Plans were already being made by some in the group to return to Irpinia with their future wedding couples or even their own families. In the gentle silence of past midnight, we realised that while the itinerary was coming to an end, its impact was only beginning.
Conclusion: Memories to Last a Lifetime
On the final morning, as the mist lifted off the Irpinian hills and we said our goodbyes, there was a profound sense that this was not an ending. Each of us carried home a piece of Irpinia in our soul – the taste of its wine on our lips, the echo of folk songs in our ears, and the warmth of its people in our hearts. The SoulStir Trip in Irpinia proved to be more than an educational tour; it was “an authentic immersion in local culture”, a journey that celebrated beauty, authenticity, and the power of human connection.
We arrived as curious professionals seeking a new destination and left as passionate ambassadors for this lesser-known corner of Italy. The emotional resonance of those three days – the tears of joy, the bursts of laughter, the quiet moments of awe – continues to inspire us in our lives and work. For anyone dreaming of a destination wedding or simply an unforgettable travel experience, Irpinia offers something truly special: a chance to slow down, to savour, and to form genuine bonds that bridge cultures and time.
In Irpinia, we found not just venues or ideas for events, but a reminder of why we create celebrations in the first place – to share love, tradition, and joy. As we left Borgo San Gregorio, the staff waved and called out “Arrivederci!” – not goodbye, but see you again. Indeed, as the winding roads took us away from the green hills, we each silently promised that we would return. The SoulStir Trip had stirred our souls, and Irpinia’s song now plays softly within us. In this heartfelt journey, we discovered a place where hospitality is an art, every meal is a story, and every traveller arrives as a guest and leaves as family. Irpinia awaits, ready to welcome the next dreamers who seek its embrace – and when you experience it for yourself, you’ll understand why the memories from this trip will forever remain etched in our hearts. Here’s to future adventures, to love and discovery, and to the soulful spirit of Irpinia – cheers, and arrivederci!
Organizational Credits
Concept & Project Direction
Elisabetta Picardi – Destination Wedding Planner & Founder of Say Yes In Italy
In collaboration with
DMO Welcome Irpinia – for the enhancement and promotion of Irpinia as a destination of excellence
Main Host Venue
Borgo San Gregorio – The soul of hospitality and refined comfort throughout the entire trip
Final Gala Venue & Wine Excellence
Feudi di San Gregorio – A symbol of Campania’s enological and cultural prestige
Official Photography & Videography
Studio24 Moving Photo
Palmer Vitaliano Filmmaker
Creative Partners
Floral Design: Laura Flower Designer
Light Design: FLC Service
Perfume Experience: Essenzialmente Noi
Music Entertainment: MB Luxury Events
With special thanks to
Ercolano Flora Group
Megalav
5 Star Wedding Directory