It is here, in the middle of the Karst Plateau near Trieste, in the agricultural center of Màlchina, a few minutes from the sea of ​​the Gulf of Trieste, that Valentina Cellie and Stefano Cannone have found their paradise, which pays homage to a fascinating territory that is still little known.

The resort takes its name from the typical flower of the Karst (Carso in Italian), the Thistle (cardo in Italian), a solitary, thorny herbaceous plant, which inspired Valentina and Stefano for its strength that makes it able to bloom even among the rocks.

Cardo, a flower of the Karst that grows abundantly here, is for us the symbol of a dream that we have the pleasure of sharing every day with our guests.

(Valentina & Stefano)

Thus, after taking over the property from the previous owners, in 2020 Valentina and Stefano opened the first wine resort in the Karst with an adjoining farm that extends over about 2 hectares, where there are olive trees, fruit trees, vegetable gardens, a blackberry plantation, and vineyards with native vines such as Malvasia, Terrano, and Vitovska.

It is these vineyards that today give life to the Cardo Rosé, an extra dry wine made from all three of the aforementioned grapes, Cardo Brut, a sparkling wine from the white grapes of Malvasia and Vitovska, Cardo Bianco, a macerated blend of pure Malvasia and Vitovksa, and Cardo Terrano, a typical red wine of the Karst area, protagonists of the many toasts of the guests at the resort.

In addition to wine, Valentina and Stefano also produce a low-acidity extra virgin olive oil with unique aromas and flavors given by the blend of the estate’s cultivars, Bianchera, Leccino and Pendolino, which they lovingly grow.

The resort offers seven rooms with wooden beams, each furnished differently and dedicated to a grape variety. Cardo Boutique & Wine Resort encourages you to follow the rhythms of nature and relax, perhaps sunbathing in the pool or pampering yourself in the warmth of the wellness area, with sauna, Turkish bath and hydromassage.

Here, every awakening is wonderful with breakfast served under the olive trees with freshly baked bread and cakes, brioches to be filled with homemade jams, yogurt and butter from local farms, home-made cured meats, eggs and fruit.

The farm also supplies Agriturismo Cardo, housed inside the resort in a beautiful room with a fireplace and on the terrace overlooking the pool, where chef Federico Valentini enhances the raw materials of the area offering a farm-to-table culinary experience.

Upon reservation, Valentina and Stefano also organize private dinners among the rows, tastings in the garden and many events open to non-guests of the structure, of which you can stay updated via Cardo’s social media.

The Secret

In the bar room next to the restaurant, you can see the characteristic caves of the Karst through a suggestive transparent floor.

Useful info

Cardo Boutique & Wine Resort
Località Malchina 22 F
Duino Aurisina 34011, Trieste
Tel. +39 392 0780518

Rooms: from 130 euro with breakfast included