Castello di Spessa Golf & Country Club
In the Collio region of Friuli
In the Collio region of Friuli, among immaculate vineyards and castles that feel lifted from a Central European novel, Castello di Spessa combines golf, wine and hospitality with a very specific identity. The course does not seek grandeur for its own sake; instead, it works in close dialogue with the landscape, offering technical holes, rolling ground, constant vineyard views and a sense of intimacy that makes the round feel almost private. This is a club-resort for travellers who enjoy well-composed journeys where golf is integrated with cuisine, wine cellars and scenery rather than isolated from them. After the round, context matters here: a tasting of Collio whites, dinner in the castle, an overnight stay among the hills. Technically, the course asks for order and attention more than sheer power, which is precisely why it suits experienced players seeking a refined experience rather than a raw physical test. The luxury is cultured, quiet and deeply rooted in place.
Qui il vero upgrade è dormire in proprietà: giocare il pomeriggio, degustare al tramonto e ripartire il mattino dopo dà al club un senso completamente diverso.
Combines golf, wine, and hospitality in one of Friuli's most elegant territories
Intimate and refined atmosphere, perfect for a short but memorable stay
Less suitable for those seeking pure championship golf
The charm depends heavily on the overall experience, not just the round
In the Collio region of Friuli, among immaculate vineyards and castles that feel lifted from a Central European novel, Castello di Spessa combines golf, wine and hospitality with a very specific identity. The course does not seek grandeur for its own sake; instead, it works in close dialogue with the landscape, offering technical holes, rolling ground, constant vineyard views and a sense of intimacy that makes the round feel almost private. This is a club-resort for travellers who enjoy well-composed journeys where golf is integrated with cuisine, wine cellars and scenery rather than isolated from them. After the round, context matters here: a tasting of Collio whites, dinner in the castle, an overnight stay among the hills. Technically, the course asks for order and attention more than sheer power, which is precisely why it suits experienced players seeking a refined experience rather than a raw physical test. The luxury is cultured, quiet and deeply rooted in place.
On the technical side, the course is a parkland layout of 18 holes playing to a par of 71 with a slope rating of 128. Visitor ratings underline the point: outstanding course standard.
The best time to visit Castello di Spessa Golf & Country Club is April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Among its most appreciated strengths: Combines golf, wine, and hospitality in one of Friuli's most elegant territories; Intimate and refined atmosphere, perfect for a short but memorable stay.
The facilities include putting green, driving range, restaurant, pro shop, cart rental, caddy on request.
The nearest airport is Roma Fiumicino (FCO), approximately 1 hour by car.
What is the best time to play?+
The best time to play is April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside this window the club may be closed or operating with reduced services.
Is a handicap certificate required?+
Castello di Spessa Golf & Country Club does not specify a mandatory minimum handicap for visiting players. We recommend contacting the club to confirm their current policy.
How do I get to the club?+
The nearest airport is Roma Fiumicino (FCO), approximately 1 hour by car. Car rental is recommended for maximum flexibility.
Is there on-site accommodation?+
Castello di Spessa Golf & Country Club does not have on-site accommodation. There are various lodging options in the surrounding area; contact the club for partner recommendations.
How many holes does the course have, and how challenging is it?+
The course has 18 holes playing to a par of 71 with a slope rating of 128. Difficulty is medium-high, suitable for intermediate to advanced players.
Exclusive Experiences
Secrets found in no guidebook, curated by our concierge.
Gravner: la Ribolla nelle Anfore Georgiane
Josko Gravner is the winemaker who revolutionised white wine worldwide: in 2000 he imported terracotta amphorae from Georgia and reinvented the Collio. His Ribolla Gialla macerates 6 months on the skins inside amphorae buried in the ground: the result is an orange wine of unheard-of depth. The winery receives by extremely rare appointment.
“Josko receives only those who write him a letter explaining how his wine changed their life. Those who know the dates of his last three harvests stand a good chance. Bring a notebook: he talks for hours and every word is worth a sommelier course.”
Castello di Spessa: la Stanza di Casanova
Castello di Spessa hosted Giacomo Casanova in 1773 during his Friuli stay: the room he occupied is still accessible with original 18th-century furnishings. The castle also keeps a library with first editions by Casanova and handwritten letters that the property shows on request to club visitors.
“The castle librarian shows by appointment the letters in which Casanova describes the Collio wines he drank during his stay: the grape names are still recognisable as precursors of today's Ribolla and Friulano.”
Abbazia di Rosazzo: il Giardino dei Patriarchi
The Rosazzo Abbey is a medieval Benedictine monastery set among 12 hectares of historic vineyards and hanging gardens tended by monks since 1084. The Benedictine hospitality ritual — breakfast in the refectory, guided vineyard walks with Fr. Domenico, absolute silence until 10:00 AM — is one of the few places where stress physically dissolves.
“Fr. Domenico cultivates a medieval medicinal herb garden with varieties vanished from modern pharmacology: he prepares personalised herbal teas for each guest based on the season and their wellbeing. No price is discussed — you leave an offering.”
Trattoria Al Cacciatore de la Subida — La Cucina del Bosco
In the woods above Cormòns, the Sirk family has turned an old hunters' inn into one of Friuli's most beloved restaurants. Joško and his children cook game, mushrooms, and foraged herbs with a technique that honors the season without bending to fashion. The Michelin star arrived almost by accident — this place already knew what it was.
“Book at least two weeks ahead and ask about the tasting menu paired with Collio wines — Joško knows every producer as if they were family.”
Pieve di San Floriano del Collio — Il Confine tra i Vigneti
A few minutes from the castle, the road climbs through the vineyards to the tiny village of San Floriano del Collio, where a Romanesque parish church from the 12th century silently overlooks the Slovenian border. From here the landscape opens onto two nations at once — Collio's Italian vines on one side, Slovenia's Brda hills on the other. No tourist signs, no crowds.
“Come at sunset: the raking light turns the vine rows to gold, and the border — invisible as it should be — dissolves into the landscape.”
Piazza della Transalpina — Il Confine che Scomparve
A single square shared between two nations, where until 2007 a wall separated families and next-door neighbors. Today a white line painted on the cobblestones marks the border between Italy and Slovenia — Gorizia and Nova Gorica, 2025 European Capital of Culture. To stand here at dusk is an act of peace that feels almost liturgical in its quiet ordinariness.
“The bar on the Slovenian side serves a Spritz with local Teran — order there and sit with your feet in Italy.”
Lago di Doberdò — Il Lago che Respira
A karst lake that breathes: in winter it swells into silent mirrors of water among white limestone rocks; in summer it retreats or vanishes entirely into the rock below. One of the most unusual hydrogeological phenomena on the Isonzo Karst, it attracts almost no visitors and has no tourist infrastructure — just the nature reserve, the frogs, and silence.
“Come in March or November when the water is high — the flat grey Isonzo light turns the surface to pure silver.”
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