Wine & Cooking

Elban Wines & Cooking

Culinary traditions, both sea and land, that tell of centuries of influences and encounters among the peoples of the Mediterranean. An intense gastronomic experience to immerse oneself in the very essence of the island

Elban recipes are not particularly elaborate. They are simple, ancient recipes, reworked according to the products that the territory could offer. That is why you will often seem to recognize a faint smell of mint in our dishes: it is nepitella, which grows wild here, and is used to flavor dishes. Myrtle and juniper berries also enrich various meat and fish dishes, giving them a completely unexpected taste. So do capers, which even grow in the cracks of Portoferraio’s Fortezze Medicee.

Elba's most famous recipes

Squid with chard

Easy
1 h 20 min

Stockfish Rio style

Easy
1 h

The Schiacciunta

Easy
1 h 30 min

Schiaccia Briaca

Medium
1 h 30 min

Sburrita elbana

Easy
1 h

Cacciucco all’elbana

Challenging
2 h

Octopus all’elbana

Easy
1 h

From the ancient Etruscans to Napoleon: Elban vines have always been able to provide great satisfaction

Vine cultivation on the island of Elba has ancient origins: the ancient Etruscans were already engaged in it, and several Roman-era wrecks on the seabed testify to the transport of wine to the mainland. Vineyards were later expanded by the Medici and Lorraine families. Among the most illustrious admirers of Elban wine were Pliny the Elder, Ferdinand I de’ Medici, and Napoleon Napoleon, who on returning to France used to say, “the inhabitants of the island of Elba are strong and healthy because the wine of the island gives strength and health.” In recent years there has been a real resurgence in production, which is highly appreciated and recognized nationwide.

Elba's most popular wines

Elba Rosé

DOC
Rosé

Elba Procanico

DOC
White

Elba Vermentino

DOC
White

Elba Ansonica

DOC
White

Elba White

DOC
White

Mines of Rio Marina

Strategic location for the large amount of hematite and limonite immediately identified by the emperor as soon as he landed on the island as a strategic-military axis.

Location: Rio Marina

Paolina Beach

The beach is named after the islet a few meters from the shore, itself named after Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister who, according to a legend (probably created by a tourism entrepreneur in the 1960s) loved to sunbathe on these rocks.

Location: Marciana

San Martino Villa

Designated as a summer residence, Napoleon purchased the property from the Manganaro family in 1814, with the intention of transforming it into a comfortable and refined abode that would have nothing to envy from Parisian residences.

Location: Località San Martino (Portoferraio)

Mulini Villa

Built in 1724 by Grand Duke Gaston de’ Medici, it was Napoleon’s city residence during his first stay on Elba Island.

Location: Portoferraio

Sanctuary of Monserrato

It was built as a sign of gratitude in 1606 by José Pons y León of the Dukes of Arcos, Spanish governor of Naples and first governor of the square of Longone (part of the state of principals). In September 1814 Napoleon, accompanied by Pons and Bertrand wanted to visit the sanctuary.

Location: Località Monserrato (Portoazzurro)

MUM Mineralogical Museum

While the Elban economy today is based on tourism, the fact remains that the people of San Piero and the west coast (Pomonte) have also lived and continue to live off their granite and marble

Location: San Piero in Campo

Port and Tower of Marciana Marina

Visit the harbor where Maria Walewska landed and the armed watchtower visited by Napoleon himself in 1814

Location: Marciana Marina