Rome, Oct 19 (IANS): In most areas of the world, public drinking fountains expel tap water, but the newest public drinking fountain in Italy flows red with wine -- and it's free to the public.

The 24-hour seven days a week "fontana del vino" in Caldari di Ortona has been installed by Dora Sarchese vineyard winery.

There's no catch or gimmick, the vineyard owners explained. Nor is the fountain for "drunkards" or "louts", they said on the vineyard's Facebook page.

They simply wanted to provide a service that had been previously unheard of in Italian history, according to The Local news.

"The wine fountain is a welcome, the wine fountain is poetry," Dora Sarchese posted.

The fountain is located along a popular trail, the Cammino di San Tommaso, which is used by thousands of Catholics every year on the pilgrimage to see the remains of Thomas, one of Jesus' disciples.

Now, travellers can enjoy some Biblical-style refreshment along the long journey.

Until now, wine fountains in Italy had only been used for holidays and special occasions.

One of the most famous is in Marino where white wine flows from the public water fountain taps for an hour during the city's annual grape festival.

This is the first known fountain to distribute free wine all day, every day.