A Guide to Italy's Langhe Wine Region

Begin your journey at the ancient monastery turned five-star hotel Relais San Maurizio. Located in the hills of the Langhe region, this is one of the few in the world to offer such resplendent luxury, while drawing in the individual details of the ancient monk cells. Here you will find a sense of calm that has been passed down through the centuries. Enjoy free time in the spa, or in the peaceful garden on a summer evening.

Hands-on cooking experience

Experience a hands-on cooking class in a traditional home kitchen, where multigenerational women have worked together to sustain their families. You will be greeted with the warmth and hospitality of a treasured guest. Special attention is given to the origin of the ingredients, which most will be in season and organically cultivated by local farmers. You will experience the hands-on opportunity to roll up your sleeves and prepare a full course with dishes such as acciughe al verde, bagna cauda, agnolotti del plin, baci di dama and so much more! You will then enjoy the fruits of your labor in a warm dining room or outdoors, season depending.

Enjoy exploring Alba on foot at your own pace to discover why this town is renowned as UNESCO World Heritage. Medieval palaces, Renaissance buildings, boutique and gourmet shops, cafes and outdoor bistros will all leave you planning your return.

Wine

Visit the Underground Wine Cathedrals in Canelli, a masterpiece of architecture and temples for wine aging, dug under the wine cellars. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, they were built in the late 18th century and extend under Canelli hill for a total of 5,000 square meters and, up to a depth of forty meters. The winery production focuses on Barbera, Metodo Classico sparkling wines, Chardonnay and Moscato d’Asti. Its wines are characterized by elegance, finesse and longevity. In the early 1980s, the family owner was among the first in the area to demonstrate the elegance, the character, and aging potential of the Barbera grape. A wine expert will guide you in the visit of this outstanding winery, with the possibility of a great wine tasting with the owner himself, learning more about his family's interesting history.

When it comes to wine, Barolo is a real icon. Also known as "the wine of kings, and the king of wines", its vineyards, hills and landscapes are just as sublime in every season and were recognized in 2014 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for the centuries-old winemaking traditions that have shaped the landscape and customs of this marvelous region. Enjoy a guided tour with a knowledgeable local guide in the Barolo wine region, visiting some of the small charming villages along the "Barolo wine route", in a private luxury vehicle. You will visit the Grinzane Castle, UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of a museum and of the Regional Barolo Wine shop, having the pleasure of enjoying one of the best views over the region. Proceed to the enchanting hamlet of La Morra for a breathtaking 360-degrees view over the Langhe region from its panoramic point (the "Belvedere") and along the narrow streets of the Barolo village, under the shadow of Marchesi Falletti's castle. Visit multiple remarkable wineries in this area.

Enjoy the private visit to a prestigious family run wine estate Ettore Germano in Serralunga d'Alba: one of the outstanding producers in the Barolo area, where you will receive a warm welcome by the family owner himself and the winemaker. Since 1856, the family had produced wine in Serralunga d'Alba and in the surrounding areas, and that passion for wine has been transmitted from father to son. Their philosophy is based on an important respect of their predecessors, they continue to have an approach in their work, based on the primary needs of the vineyard’s biological cycles, without force and hurry. After the visit, enjoy an amazing tasting of their wines.

The history of Vietti winery traces its roots back to the 19th century, but it was only at the beginning of the 20th century, however, that the name became a winery offering its own bottled wines. Their wines come from Castiglione Falletto vineyards, in the hearth of the Barolo zone. The qualities of sandy-calcareous soil in this area gives a unique tannic heritage with very elegant olfactory sensations. Besides the deliciousness of their wines, their wine labels are famous for the many artists whose works of art are represented on them: since 1974 their bottles have been dressed with specially-designed original works (lithographs, xylographies, etchings, silkscreens, linocuts) inspired by the wine of that particular vintage. Enjoy the private visit and the tasting of their top wines.

The Barbaresco area is a small region that includes the four municipalities of Barbaresco, Neive, Treiso and San Rocco, separated from the Barolo region by the municipality of Alba, the "capital" of the Langhe wine region. Follow a local guide along the scenic Barbaresco wine route, in your private luxury vehicle, to discover more about the several Barbaresco wine crus. Enjoy a pleasant stroll in the charming small village of Barbaresco, visit the medieval Tower for an unparalleled view of the area, and the Baroque parish church of San Giovanni Battista. In the deconsecrated church of San Donato, you will find the Regional Enoteca del Barbaresco, where you can stop for a tasting, choosing from over 100 labels of this prestigious wine. A few kilometers far from Barbaresco, there is Neive, ranked among the most beautiful villages in Italy. Enjoy a walk among its narrow streets, admiring the sixteenth-century chapels of San Rocco and San Sebastiano, the Baroque Confraternity of San Michele and the noble ancient palaces that overlook the main street and square.

Although their wines can be found all over the world, the best way to taste them is still in their place of origin with a visit to an awarded wine estate and one of the most prestigious wineries of Barbaresco wine region, owned by the same family from generations. Take in a walk through the rows of vines in the natural amphitheater, and a tour of the barrel cellar and a stop in their tasting room, all of which will explain much more than words ever can! Then, have a top notch wine tasting. An expert sommelier (a member of the Italian Sommelier Association) will guide you through the tasting of their white and red wines.

Truffle hunting

Experience an exciting truffle hunting with adorable trained dogs! Meet up with our friend Piercarlo, the "trifolau" (this is how it is called the truffle hunter in local dialect) and go hunting for the gourmand’s most prized ingredient: the truffle! Discover the fascinating story of truffle, told by its main characters. How is the truffle springing, growing and ripening? Which are the most suitable soils? How can it be stored? You will discover (almost) all the secrets about it. In the area around Barbaresco, you will poke around the countryside, cross vineyards and oak woods, and watch the dogs enthusiastically seek out truffles. Then, to celebrate the successful hunting, enjoy a delicious truffle-based tasting - with cheeses, eggs and raw meat - paired with local red wines.

Pro-tip: Enjoy the documentary The Truffle Hunters (2020) pre-travel to get excited about this opportunity.

Turin

Start a marvelous tour of Turin, the elegant city surrounded by mountains and crossed by the Po River, home of the Savoy Royal family, first capital of Italy, and nowadays renowned as a modern and vibrant cultural city.

You will enjoy a pleasant guided walking tour through the main sites, admiring extraordinary examples of Baroque architecture. Walk under the city's porticoes and let yourself be enchanted by the fine, aristocratic atmosphere, old-world sophisticated shops, grand boulevards, squares and hidden small private gardens. Enjoy a break in a historical 19th-century cafè, with ancient frescoed rooms and mirrors, and fall in love with their pastry specialties and chocolate. Our suggestion is to ask for the delicious "bicerin", a typical drink of the city, made with espresso, chocolate and cream on top. Don't miss a taste of "giandujotti", another chocolate specialty of Turin. The visit to this place is well worth your time to soak up its old-world atmosphere.

Lake Orta

Explore Orta San Giulio and Lake Orta on your own. The small village of Orta San Giulio lies at the foot of the promontory that stretches in the middle of the blue waters of the lake, a small peninsula on whose top you can admire, among the vegetation, the chapels of the Sacred Mount. Enjoy a pleasant walk through the narrow car-free streets, characterized by stone and wrought iron worked like a lace, it will feel as if you had gone back in time. Between the baroque palaces and the massive medieval walls, wonderful views of the lake emerge from time to time. Very small, yet rich in historical evidence, the Island of San Giulio retains a mysterious and particular charm that makes it truly unique. Take the ferry to the Island from the main square of Orta and enjoy a short boat ride. Walk along the ring-shaped driveway that surrounds the island, losing yourself among the ancient streets. Your private car and English-speaking driver will be at your disposal for the afternoon and dinner.

Lake Maggiore

Meet your local guide and depart for a special tour aboard a private boat. Enjoy a private boat tour on Lake Maggiore: your guide will lead you on a visit to the three Borromean Islands: Isola Madre, Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori. The main island is Isola Madre: the largest and the most characteristic for its collection and silent atmosphere. The ancient palace, which preserves prestigious furnishings and an exceptional display of puppets, is surrounded by a beautiful garden of rare plants, exotic flowers, peacocks, parrots and pheasants of all varieties, creating the atmosphere of a tropical island. The garden of Isola Bella, a typical example of a 17th-century "Italian garden" developed on terraces, is a veritable paradise.

The ancient Baroque palace offers visitors an elegant and sumptuous setting that preserves numerous works of art. Isola dei Pescatori (Island of Fishermen) is the only one among the islands that does not belong to the Borromeo family and is inhabited year-round. Features include charming simple homes, built to make the most of the little space available, equipped with long balconies indispensable for drying fish: it is precisely to the fishing activity practiced by its inhabitants for centuries that the island owes its name.

Bagni Alpemare: An absolutely genuine cuisine, spontaneous, simple but not obvious, traditional but also experimental, made of interesting combinations, refined and rich in creativity that enhances all the five senses of the guests.

Origini Bistrot: The meals here are created with high-quality, seasonal produce and local ingredients, which are essential to the region's cooking. Dine in a romantic room filled with frescoes, or a modern room with windows overlooking the stunning hills.

Anima Ristorante Bistro: Located in Calamandrana in the heart of the UNESCO area of Piemonte, ANIMA Ristorante Bistro is the perfect place to meet and relax. The chef offers seasonal dishes and the best mix of Piemontese and Italian cuisine, freshly prepared with local ingredients.

Uve: UVE Restaurant seeks to respect the flavors of the past, while looking towards the future. The elegant, sophisticated setting is also pleasantly relaxing and laid-back, allowing guests to appreciate the attention to detail, exquisite service and a passion for hospitality and cooking.

Guido Da Costigliole: Here the cuisine is typically Piedmontese, with Mediterranean echoes and a contemporary experimentation that makes it international enough to appeal to the many foreign tourists, all in keeping intact the absolute respect of the tradition and of the fresh ingredients, all locally sourced and unique in quality and biodiversity. From the generous Langhe hills comes also the vast majority of the restaurant’s wines.

Campamac Osteria: A unique type of osteria designed with a modern and elegant style, accurate furniture and modern art pieces. Its menu is seasonal, offering very local ingredients. Meat is the key element of the osteria, selected by the chef Paolo Dalla Morra to choose the more natural solutions. Its cellar is a three-room space, distinguished by type of wine — small and big producers are present to give a full wine list.

La Ciau Tornavento: Excellent Michelin-starred restaurant: a great, elegant dinner room and a terrace with a superb panoramic view on the hills and on the Alps. You will be enchanted by the extraordinary cuisine of the starred chef Maurilio Garola and its dishes. Its cellar of more than 60,000 bottles is also a must-to-see. Enjoy a fabulous dining experience!

Porto Di Savona: Ancient and fascinating restaurant, located in the city square Piazza Vittorio, it is a familiar and cozy restaurant where you will taste a rich variety of classical Piedmontese recipes from pasta to typical desserts.

Il Vecchio Forno: Local ingredients with a sustainably focused ethos, this cucina will not disappoint. The Old World oven produces classic pizzas and the cellar provides an impressive wine list.

Ai Due Santi: In the main square of Orta San Giulio, with tables also outside to admire the lake, it offers both a fish and a meat menu and a great selection of wine in the cellar.