This historic central Italian region, famous for its art, is situated south of Toscana, between Lazio and Marche. Vitis vinifera has been cultivated in Umbria since the period around 60 B.C. and vineyards continue to figure large in the broad green landscape of the region which is rich in rivers and lakes - Lake Trasimeno for example is one of the largest lakes in central Italy. Local grape varieties dominate in the region, from the white Trebbiano, Drupello, Verdello and Grechetto to the red Sangiovese, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Sagrantino di Montefalco.

Around 20% of the 1 million hectolitres produced annually qualifies for DOC status. The best known of these denominations is Orvieto, although the wines of Torgiano and Colli di Trasimeno (both red and white) and above all Sagrantino di Montefalco are gaining in importance. Umbria has major league producers with established international reputations, but also a growing number of small estates run by enthusiastic young winemakers whose philosophies are perfectly in tune with the VIAS concept of quality and promotion.