ABOUT
About Incontri Culturali
Incontri Culturali – Kunst und Reisen GmbH is a boutique travel and cultural events company based in Munich, Germany, led by Dr. Manuela Zardo, a Venetian-born cultural expert, travel journalist, and cookbook author. With more than 40 years of experience crafting bespoke tours across Italy, Incontri Culturali specializes in immersive journeys tailored for curious, culture-loving travelers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Dr. Zardo personally designs and often accompanies tours—frequently alongside Munich art historian Dr. Gerhard Wohlmann or other local experts. Their programs focus on regional art, architecture, gastronomy, and wine experiences—not as sightseeing marathons, but as enriching engagements with Italy’s heritage and lifestyle.
About Madonna del Latte
Nestled in the rolling hills between Orvieto and Lake Bolsena in Umbria, Madonna del Latte is a boutique, award-winning winery known for its commitment to organic viticulture, elegant wines, and warm hospitality. Founded in 2000 by Manuela Zardo and her late husband Hellmuth Zwecker, the estate was born from a shared passion for Italian land, tradition, and quality.
Today, their son Leon Zwecker, a professionally trained oenologist, leads the vineyard and winemaking with deep respect for the soil, climate, and micro-terroir that define this volcanic corner of central Italy. Under Leon’s direction, the winery cultivates its vines without herbicides or synthetic fertilizers, producing expressive, low-intervention wines that reflect the land’s character and complexity. At his side is Ruta Smilgyte, a certified sommelier originally from Lithuania, who plays a key role in managing the winery’s operations and guest experience. Together, Leon and Ruta offer more than just wine: they welcome visitors into a living expression of craftsmanship, nature, and family.