In the United States, we’re used to water fountains that bear not a stream of lowly H20, but rather a never-ending cascade of pinot noir or a fizzy spritzer. Leave it to Europe, however, to totally one-up us: A vineyard in the Italian region of Abruzzo has installed a fountain that dispenses red wine, 24 hours a day, free for all to enjoy, Mashable reports.
It’s the first of its kind in the country, but is sure to draw visitors from across the world who want a taste of Abruzzo, which boasts stunning mountain scenery along with sandy beaches and a rich history. The fountain was created by Dora Sarchese Vini in collaboration with an organization that promotes a popular pilgrimage route called the Cammino di San Tommaso, or Way of St. Thomas, which draws thousands of people each year. The wine fountain is a stop on the 196-mile trek that ends in Ortona, home to a cathedral that holds what are believed to be the remains of Saint Thomas the Apostle.
The wine fountain is open to the public and dispenses wine made by the vineyard, which was established in 1932. Nicola D’Auria, who is the director of marketing for the company, tells Cosmopolitan that it’s been incredibly popular and that there have been visitors from all over the world, including dozens from Australia and the US. The company is also working to expand the number of Wine Fountains it sells, which are available online, as well as to retailers, restaurants and bars.
While a wine fountain may seem like the perfect addition to a Shabbat dinner or a romantic evening, they’re actually more practical than you might think. Passing around personal cups for guests to drink from can lead to uncomfortable or even unsanitary situations, and these wine fountains allow everyone to glug their fill while maintaining high levels of hygiene. Plus, if you’re the host of a large gathering, a wine fountain can be a great way to keep the food and drinks flowing without running out of glasses to serve.
And the best part? While this particular wine fountain is located on private property owned by a vineyard, it is staffed and open to the public, with the town’s mayor footing the bill and the vineyard paying for the vino. Hopefully this means that more wine fountains will soon be popping up in towns and cities nationwide, so we can all enjoy the perks of living in the land of Italy.