In the small village of Vacallo (TI), in a sunny location, is the family-run Boutique Hotel Conca Bella: the first ‘wine hotel’ in Ticino just a few minutes from Chiasso. The boutique hotel has 17 individually designed rooms, all inspired by the theme of wine. Wine lovers and gourmets can enjoy first-class cuisine and fine wines here. We visited the Conca Bella and are delighted!
A highlight at Conca Bella: instead of a coffee machine, as we know it from other hotels, there is a wine vending machine in the corridor. How cool is that? Just like in a wine shop, various wines are presented and guests can sample the open wines to their heart’s content. A unique experience!
Wine, food and nature – the perfect combination
There are over 1,100 different wines and 4,000 bottles in the wine cellar of the family-run Hotel Conca Bella – a real wine paradise. In the Enoteca, guests can also buy their favourite wine directly and get advice from sommelier Riccardo Rosa. On beautiful summer days, the Piazzetta wine bar in the cosy Piazza San Simone is the perfect place to enjoy a drink and linger. Whether it’s lunch under the shady trees, an aperitif at sunset or a delicious dinner in good company. Always accompanied by the right glass of wine.
Chef Kevin Fontana cooks for guests in the restaurant, which has been recognised with 14 GaultMillau awards. Fontana attaches great importance to local, seasonal and high-quality products. The menu currently includes, for example, raw amberjack with grapefruit, salt cod with fried polenta and the all-time classic: Angus beef tartare with egg yolk, buttered toast and sautéed potatoes as a starter. The primi piatti include ‘Sedanini del Conca’, a traditional dish with homemade pasta, cream and Ticino sausage, and cavatelli made from squid ink with crustaceans and artichokes, to name but a few. The main course includes roast sea bass with cannellini, mussels and kohlrabi or pork cheeks with polenta and black cabbage. The sweet temptations include a dark chocolate mousse or a saffron panna cotta – mmmmmmh.
Wine experiences at Conca Bella
The Conca Bella not only offers good wine and delicious food on site at the hotel, but also a wide range of excursions and experiences:
‘The Bike, Wine & Dine experience in Mendrisiotto is particularly popular,’ says host Michele Montereale, who runs the second-generation hotel together with his mother Ruth. Here, guests explore the surrounding vineyards of Mendrisiotto by bike and visit several wineries – perfect for a weekend with friends! VW fans will enjoy the minivan wine experience. The region is explored in an original 1966 Volkswagen Bulli and a partner winery is visited. In the evening, there is a four-course tasting menu with a wine pairing from the region.
More wine experiences can be found here
In our opinion, the Conca Bella is an absolute insider tip and definitely belongs on the must-visit list for 2025!
Conca Bella Boutique Hotel & Weinerlebnis
Via Concabella 2
6833 Vacallo/Chiasso
+41 91 697 50 40
info@concabella.ch
www.concabella.ch
