It sounds like a hoax – a fountain of free wine

But it’s a real place, located in Italy at Caldari di Ortona in Abruzzo.

Built by the local Dora Sarchese vineyard, it will pour free red wine for tourists and pilgrims travelling along the Cammino di San Tommaso between Rome and Ortona to visit the city’s cathedral, which houses the remains of Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples.

Taking its cue from a similar fountain on Spain’s well-known pilgrimage Camino de Santiago de Compostela, it’s also the first in Italy to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The vineyard’s Facebook page does state the fountain is not for “drunkards” or “louts”, but in its first week alone, the fountain has already received thousands of visitors.

It’s not Italy’s first free wine fountain either. Its most famous one is at Marino’s annual Grape Festival and made headlines in 2008 when a plumbing issue meant the wine was accidentally re-directed to local homes.

Mayor Adriano Palozzi said at the time: “Apparently the people living around the square who got the wine coming out of their taps were very surprised, they thought that it might be some kind of present from the local council.” 

Bottom’s up?

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A special thanks to our contributors

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Jill Donaldson

Physiotherapist

Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

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Chris Baynes

DCM Media, agedcare101

Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

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Annie Donaldson

Nurse and Carer

Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.