When to Go

Wine harvest festivals, with the opportunity to taste the barely fermented young wine, hear folk songs, and eat local delicacies, are mainly in September. For some towns it is the only time they are truly crowded. But the summer months offer pleasant relaxation at outdoor cafés in an unhurried atmosphere. For bikers, many trails have opened up in the wine region, with spring and early summer being ideal for a tour. Winter should be avoided, especially in smaller towns, as many sights are closed and many shops still close for the weekend throughout the year.