Bivongi is a charming little town in the north of the province of Reggio Calabria, only 8 miles from the Ionian Sea. Situated on the slopes of Mount Consolino, Bivongi dominates a valley rich with vineyards and olive groves and crossed by the River Stilaro.

In the past, Bivongi was better known for the woodcarving skills of its inhabitants, for its iron, silver and molybdenum mines, and for its thermal baths. It was also known for its mulberry trees, the production of wool, and its silkworm farms (called “vomvix” in Greek and believed to be at the origin of Bivongi’s name).

All of this, however, was eventually abandoned, although it is still possible to see the occasional handloom in some of the older households here. What remained was the production of olive oil, wine and honey.

The climatic conditions at Bivongi, and the other nine municipalities that constitute the D.O.C. zone for the production of Bivongi wine in the provinces of Reggio Calabria and Catanzaro, have made it possible to make fine wines using traditional methods based solely on the production of local grape varieties such as the white Greco Bianco, Guardavalle and Montonico, and the red Gaglioppo, Greco Nero and Calabrese.