Piedmont Food & Wine Holiday

Piedmont Food & Wine Holiday
Discover Langhe in Winter

Welcomed by Silvia Aprato

(Tour company founder & Co-owner, Sommellier & Tour Guide)
17th – 21st November 2024

Piedmont (or Piemonte in Italian) is definitely the new “Eldorado” of wine lovers and experts. Surrounded by the beautiful crown of the Alps, not far from the Mediterranean, Piedmont attracts wine enthusiasts from all over the world and shows them its several jewels: a fascinating scenery of rolling vineyard-covered hills, neat hazelnut groves, medieval castles, towers and quaint villages which will bring you back to the old times. Food is definitely one of the main attractions for visitors: sit at a table of a local osteria or trattoria and you will be immediately impressed by how many antipasti (starters) the locals can eat; not least, the fantastic mouth-watering hand-made tajarin (fresh egg pasta) or ravioli del plin stuffed with meat; and further long-cooked meat, cheeses, hazelnuts and the most mysterious and seducing product of the ground – white truffle. But the real allure of Piedmont is the great selection of wines produced here with the king of grape varieties nebbiolo, i.e. Barolo and Barbaresco. You will be welcomed at some highly-respected wineries and taste a selection of their award-winning wines while chatting with the wine makers themselves, or members of their family. Take part in our bespoke food & wine tour in November which is definitely the best month to enjoy this region: the big crowds of visitors have almost all gone, wine makers start to relax after the harvest rush, and we all have more time to enjoy our fantastic food and sip our amazing wines. Vineyard landscapes change their colours every day, white truffles reach the top of their quality and flavours, and our chefs start preparing the most delicious and savoury winter dishes, ideal to be paired with our wines. We would like to share all these amazing experiences with a small private group of trusted travellers, new visitors and all the gourmet lovers who may be interested in visiting Piedmont again or for the first time.
PRIVATE TOUR FOR MIN. 4 AND MAX. 12 PARTICIPANTS

  • Independent arrival at boutique hotel Corte Gondina in La Morra, Langhe area.
  • Welcome aperitif with your wine guide Silvia Aprato who will introduce you the area, its wines and this week’s programme, before heading out and enjoy your first Piedmontese dinner at a local restaurant selected among our favourites.

Discover the fascinating world of Barolo and Barbaresco and the unique variety of styles given by the different local terroirs and producers’ style.

  • Meet your wine guide and driver at hotel Corte Gondina and depart with chauffeured minivan for your first tasting experience.
  • Visit and premium wine tasting at a Barolo-producing winery located in one of the most famous Barolo villages, e.g. Barolo village itself, La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, Monforte d’Alba, Serralunga d’Alba, etc.
  • Traditional lunch with wine pairing at a local restaurant in Barolo district.
  • In the afternoon, head to the Barbaresco area of production and visit a local winery in one of the 3 villages where this wine can be produced, i.e. Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso. Visit and premium wine tasting at a Barbaresco-producing winery.
  • Back to hotel Corte Gondina, evening and dinner at leisure.

Piedmont does not only mean wine – for food lovers the Nocciola Piemonte IGP and the wide range of cheeses are a must-try of the region. 

  • Meet your wine guide and driver at hotel Corte Gondina and depart with chauffeured minivan for the Alta Langa region (Higher Langhe).
  • You will start the day at a local hazelnut grower to learn more about the growing cycle of Piedmontese hazelnuts. Tour the fields, see the processing area and the pastry laboratory, and enjoy a final lunch to see how hazelnuts can also be used in cooking.
  • Next stop will be at a family-owned farmhouse specialized in the production of sheep’s raw milk cheeses. Visit the stable where they raise and milk the animals, see their “cheese laboratory” where cheese is made out of raw milk using old cheese-making recipes, and finish the experience by tasting some different types of local “toma” in a very intimate and fascinating background.
  • Back to hotel Corte Gondina, evening and dinner at leisure.

Food is one of the highlights of Piedmontese culture. It would be impossible to describe the region without trying recipes that are landmarks of its history and reflect its tradition. And today will be the food and truffle celebration day!

  • Meet your tour guide and driver at hotel Corte Gondina and depart with chauffeured minivan for your cooking class venue at just 30-minute drive from the Barolo area, on the wide plain caught between the wine-producing hills and the Alps.
  • Discover the classical regional cuisine of Piedmont through a hands-on cooking class at a private chef’s house: a beautiful country house with animals and self-grown vegetables. Your chef will teach you the most traditional Piedmontese cuisine through recipes and cooking secrets passed down from the older women of the family. Mid-morning aperitif with local cheese and wine, and final lunch with the food prepared in the morning.
  • Last stop of the day will be in the food capital of Piedmont – Alba. Homeland of Nutella, invented here by Mr Ferrero in 1964, Alba is also known for its “hundred towers” and the International White Truffle Festival which takes place every week-end from early October to early December. Discover its architectural jewels, and stop at a local store specialized in the sales of fresh black and white truffles, as well as truffle-based products, to enjoy a tasting of their most iconic products.
  • Back to hotel Corte Gondina, some time to relax, then head out for your Grand Finale Dinner at a local restaurant chosen among our favourites.
  • Overnight at hotel Corte Gondina.

Check-out from hotel Corte Gondina and independent departure (transfers to airports, train stations, or next destination may be arranged upon request).

Price: Tour is for min. 4 and max. 10 participants in double occupancy (single room occupancy possible too upon request). Tour is guaranteed if at least 4 people sign in.
Contact us for more details or to make a reservation at info@tastingtours.it