With the creation of a Regional Wine Shop and Tasting Room it is possible to organize many events, resulting in a new commercial expansion and a new tourist image for Offida. Through the cooperation of different associations, many tasting laboratories are organized where experts of this sector guide the participants during tastings sections consisting of matching wines with other products such as cheese, cold meats, sweets, bread. Besides, courses for aspiring sommeliers are organized in collaboration with the Italian Sommeliers Association, during which the participants learn how to make and to taste wine and how to match wine with food.
It also hosts meetings and cultural events. With the restoration works occurred between 2002 and 2004, the structure has undergone many changes: on the same floor where the cloister and the Wine Shop are, now there is also a big terrace overlooking the ancient city walls where buffets, aperitifs and tastings are organized on special occasions.
The most important changes were made in 2003 when, almost unexpectedly and accidentally, some remains of archings were found underneath the old basement of St. Francesco’s monastery. They were support structures of sandstone-dug caves which, after long digging activities, cleaning and drainage, thanks to their excellent state of repair, were brought back to their former glory.
This evocative place hosts the best regional wine labels which can be enjoyed together with other local products.