Truffles and Wine: Piedmont During the Harvest

We start in Turin (Torino in Italian) learning about Italy’s first capital, its baroque buildings and historic cafés, before we travel to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the royal residence of Reggia di Venaria and the Basilica of Superga, which we explore together. 

After returning to Turin, you can visit several world renowned museums, enjoy shopping along the city’s elegant streets, take a walk in the park by the Po river and savor a gelato or espresso in one of the elegant piazzas in the center. 

From Turin we'll explore the area of Monferrato, starting with a visit to its capital Asti famous for its "Palio," one of the oldest horse races in Italy since 13th century, which takes place every year in September in the main piazza. Another highlight today features a visit at a local cheese refiner for a tasting over lunch and to learn about this unique skill bringing a cheese to a higher level of quality through maturation.

In the afternoon we reach Moncalvo and settle into our first agriturismo (a family-run "farm stay" combining agriculture and tourism). Here we can enjoy a walk in the vineyards or simply soak in the beautiful views of Monferrato hills, while sipping the locally-made wine Grignolino and Barbera. Later with the owner Matteo we will learn more about local wines and hazelnut productions, before dinner with local ingredients and white truffles as well!

Moncalvo is renowned for a DOCG wine, made from Ruché, a local indigenous grape, and for its white truffles that, even if less sought-after than the ones from Alba, still attract a lot of people in love with the Tuber Magnatum Pico (the Latin name for ‘white truffle’) when they become available in the fall.  

High Monferrato is nestled between coastal Liguria and the Langhe area. The 2,000 year-old Roman village of Acqui Terme, famous for its natural hot springs, is a perfect spot for a morning stroll followed by a stop in at a small winery for lunch.

Here, let’s sample and savor both the recipes of Mamma Liliana and the indigenous grapes her family has grown for more than a century since her great-grandfather acquired the land. Later, back at the agriturismo, enjoy more walking in the countryside to soak in this precious parcel of Piedmont.

Dinner tonight is on your own in the village of Moncalvo, population 3,000, the smallest city in Italy! Please ask us about the best pizza in town!

En route to the Langhe area, recently listed with Monferrato as Italy’s 50th UNESCO World Heritage Site, we meet a truffle hunter and see him in action with his dog sniffing and rooting for truffles. Then we continue to Alba to enjoy a stroll in this ancient Roman town, famous for Nutella, white truffles, Barbera and Arneis wines, and attend the world-famous truffle fair celebrating this precious delicacy! Today you can savor a meal on your own in a trattoria, for sure an Italian cultural experience in which you can enjoy first-hand traditional recipes in a friendly and convivial atmosphere. Pace yourself at the table because tonight we will enjoy another delectable dinner featuring the noble and revered underground mushroom as known as truffle, paired with locally-produced wines.

Another highlight will be a visit and tasting to a winery to discover local grapes such as Nebbiolo and Barolo, as well as lesser-known ones such as Verduno Pelaverga, rescued in the 19th century by King Carlo Alberto. In the 1960s, the grape was at further risk of extinction, when again the foresight of local winemakers turned the tide. These producers are passionate about the Langhe terroir and its ability to produce distinctive and unique wines worth preserving for future generations.

We spend our last two nights in a castle that dates to the 1500s and the royal Savoy family. More recently, the castle has been in the hands of the Burlotto family (currently in its 4th generation) who has run its restaurant, winery, and hotel since 1909. 

On our last day, we’ll visit the Barolo and its wine museum housed in the 10th century castle. This unique location features also one of the regional wine cellars of Piedmont, displaying the local producers. Today lunch is on your own, please ask your guides about the available options in town.

For those who love being active, today you can take a nice hike up and down the quite steep slopes of the Langhe, with views of Nebbiolo vineyards, castles and small villages perched on top of the hills. Our food journey concludes with a cooking demo, and a final dinner celebrating local recipes, an array of wines, and our great memories of an unforgettable tour together.

Catch our 1-hour group transfer to Turin airport. Arvezze, neh! (Goodbye in Piedmontese)