Langhe-Roero and Monferrato Hills
In the North Western Italian region of Piedmont, between the southern bank of the River Po and the chain of the Apennine Mountains of Liguria, we find the gentle slopes of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato hills covered from age-old time by its famous vineyards. Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Grignolino, Ruchè, Arneis: these are the grapes which the local great wines are made from, thanks to the magical combination of sea air and Alpine peaks -with the Mount Viso standing out from the crowd featuring its perfect pyramid shape- the unique composition of the soil, the mild microclimate and, what’s very noteworthy, the millenial symbiosis between men’s industry and this unique environment.
Medieval castles, Romanesque churches, sprawling hilltop villages, wine estates scattered at the edges of the rolling hills, are part of this spectacular landscape that has kept over time its authenticity, living evidence of the ancient tradition of wine production.
For these reasons since 2014 the Langhe-Roero and Monferrato are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The tour program is focused on the discovery of the most renowned wine estates. The wines’ producing process will be showed by the owners themselves, before capping off the visit with the wine tasting.
Along with the wines we cannot forget the great Piedmontese cuisine: agnolotti pasta, mushrooms, veal with tuna sauce, and -of course- the prestigious Alba truffles.
For lunch, according to individual needs and seasonal products, a local restaurant of Piedmontese cuisine will be chosen from a selection of suggested offers.
Barolo Castle & Wine Museum
Based on the summit of the picturesque village of Barolo, the medieval castle was the residence of the Falletti di Barolo counts, a family of local lords whose name is closely linked to the prestige of the Langhe wines and in particular of the Barolo wine. The castle houses the Wine Museum: created by the visionary set designer Francois Confino, this museum is one of a kind! I will walk you through its rooms and guide you into the deep history of wine! Then we will walk together in one of the oldest cellars in the city of Barolo. First we will have a wine tasting in the wine shop accompanied by a platter of cold cuts and cheeses and “ravioli del plin” a Piedmontese stuffed pasta. At the end we will have a guided tour of the ancient cellars.
Truffles & Barolo Wine
Join an exciting experience for truffle enthusiasts. A truffle hunter with his dog will lead you into the woods to seek out the precious underground mushroom, guided only by the dog´s sense of smell and the intuition resulting from years of experience. The tour guide and the truffle hunter will provide fascinating information to help you understand how and where truffles grow. Afterwards, you will head to La Morra, a town on the top of the Langhe hills, where you can enjoy a spectacular view. Renowned for its Barolo wine cru (which differs from the cru in the town of Barolo and neighboring areas), you will be hosted by one of the historic wineries whose cellars are located in the town center. Here a guided tour will follow and will conclude with a tasting of 3 Barolo wines from the cellar.
Cooking Class in Langhe
In a typical cascina (farm house) of the Piedmontese countryside in Cervere, the village where the best renowned Italian leeks are grown, Raffaella welcomes you to attend a COOKING class with her! This is the perfect “school” for Wine&Food lovers, with a special eye to culinary traditions of Bella Italia.
Raffaella loves to spend time with her guests, learning one each other about different cultures and meanwhile tasting the dishes you prepare by your own and drinking good local Piedmontese wine.
You will feel at home, no matter if you are skilled chefs: you are about to learn to cook what Raffaella will teach you!
Fresh vegetables from the village marketplace or directly picked from Raffaella’s garden, eggs and herbs from the cascina, simple and refined recepies, suggestions, grandma’s tricks and secrets…
And for the most passionate Food Lovers, Raffaella will take you to the village food Marketplace before you start cooking!
Starters, pasta, main courses and desserts: 4 dishes you will be able to prepare at your home in a short time…