The medieval Castle of Serralunga d’Alba
Planning a trip to Italy this summer?
This is the blog series for you!
From the rolling vineyards of the Langhe to the Alpine landscapes of the north, Piedmont this fall is a season where exceptional wine, food and culture come together. Famous around the world for Barolo and Barbaresco, the region also offers a fascinating diversity of lesser-known wines, historic villages, family-run wineries and memorable places to eat. Whether you are exploring the vineyards, enjoying a leisurely lunch or discovering a local grape variety, Piemonte rewards those who take the time to slow down and savour it. We asked our Italian Wine Ambassadors of the Vinitaly International Academy community to share some of their favourite places and experiences across this extraordinary wine region.
1. Aperitivo with a Piedmontese twist
Right in the heart of Alba, Ape Wine Bar is a stylish yet relaxed spot to enjoy the flavours of the Langhe. With a focus on quality local ingredients, traditional Piedmontese dishes are given a contemporary touch, making it an ideal place to settle in for an aperitivo, a few plates to share, or a full meal. The wine list puts the region firmly in the spotlight, with plenty of opportunities to explore Piedmont by the glass alongside your food. Whether you are stopping by after a day exploring Alba or looking for a lively evening in the centre of town, Ape offers a delicious introduction to the region’s food and wine culture.
As recommended by Hugh Preece.
Learn more: https://www.apewinebar.it/en/
2. Ristorante Guido
There is no shortage of great places to eat in Le Langhe, and especially in the Barolo wine hills where important wines and a complexly rich seasonal cuisine combine so effortlessly. But one not to miss is Guido Ristorante, located in the Villaggio di Fontanafredda, in the historic villa that Italy’s first king Vittorio Emanuele II built for his mistress and later wife Rosa Vercellana (‘la Bella Rosin’). This is a national monument both to love and to wine, for their son, Count Emanuele di Mirafiore established Casa E di Mirafiore and helped to transform Barolo from a favourite of kings and aristocracy into a wine that was internationally recognised, awarded, and exported. Today, in this historic setting, Chef Ugo Alciati serves a cuisine that is both refined and classic, including the great seasonal dishes of Le Langhe. For example, agnolotti di Lidia (the recipe of Chef Ugo’s mother Lidia) are handmade plin – tiny meat-filled ravioli – that are simply bathed in a concentrated reduction of roasted meat jus. A plate of Lidia’s agnolotti with a calice of Casa E di Mirafiore Barolo ‘Lazzarito’ is truly and deliciously the taste of history.
As recommended by Marc Millon.
Learn more: https://www.guidoristorante.it
Photo Credit: Guido Ristorante
3. A fantastic lunch in Barolo
For a relaxed taste of the Langhe, Buon Padre in Vergne is a wonderful choice. This welcoming restaurant has been part of the local landscape for over a century, with a focus on traditional Piedmontese flavours, seasonal ingredients and an excellent selection of wines from the surrounding area. Expect classic dishes such as tajarin, plin and Fassona beef, making it an ideal stop for a leisurely meal while exploring the Barolo area. As Gill Gordon-Smith simply puts it, “it’s a fantastic lunch place.”
As recommended by Gill Gordon-Smith.
Learn more: https://www.buon-padre.com/en/
4. Dip into a Piedmontese classic
With autumn settling in, there is no better time to discover one of Piedmont’s most distinctive dishes: Bagna Cauda. This warm, silky dip of anchovies, garlic, olive oil and butter is traditionally served with crisp seasonal vegetables and is wonderfully rich, savoury and packed with garlicky flavour. Saloni recommends pairing it with a glass of Roero Arneis, whose freshness, aromatics and crisp acidity provide the perfect counterbalance to the dish’s rich and punchy character.
As recommended by Saloni Khanapurkar.
5. Lunch with a view in Barbaresco
For spectacular views and an equally impressive wine list, make your way to Rabayà in Barbaresco. Overlooking the vineyards, this is the kind of place where the setting is almost as memorable as what is in your glass. Settle in for a leisurely meal and explore the restaurant’s killer cellar list, with plenty of opportunities to discover the great wines of the Langhe alongside the local cuisine.
As recommended by Ben Plisky-Somers.
Learn more: https://www.rabayaristorante.it/
Photo Credit: Ristorante Rabayà
6. Eat like a local in Alba
For an old-school, no-frills taste of Alba, head to Osteria dei Sognatori. Forget the formalities and come hungry: this is a place for straightforward, traditional food and the kind of atmosphere where you are likely to find local winemakers and their families sitting at the tables around you. That authentic, unpretentious experience is precisely what makes it worth seeking out.
As recommended by Ben Plisky-Somers.
Learn more: https://www.instagram.com/osteriadeisognatori_/
7. Stay among the stones of Monforte
Tucked into the historic village of Monforte d’Alba, Le Case della Saracca is a wonderful place to experience the character of the Langhe. Gabriel Riel-Salvatore visited with Alessandro Ceretto of Ceretto winery and recommended it as a memorable stop while exploring the region. Its atmospheric historic setting makes it an especially appealing place to slow down, soak up the village atmosphere and enjoy the distinctive charm of Piedmont.
As recommended by Gabriel Riel-Salvatore.
Learn more: https://www.saracca.com/index.html
Photo Credit: Le Case della Saracca
8. A taste of Alba at its finest
For those looking to experience Piedmontese gastronomy at the highest level, Piazza Duomo in Alba is a destination in its own right. The restaurant showcases the extraordinary ingredients and culinary traditions of the Langhe through an elegant and highly refined approach. Located in the heart of Alba, it offers a very different experience from the region’s rustic osterie, but one that demonstrates just how far Piedmont’s food culture can reach.
As recommended by Gabriel Riel-Salvatore.
Learn more: https://www.piazzaduomoalba.it/
9. Discover a family taste of Neive
In the beautiful hilltop village of Neive, Fratelli Grasso offers a chance to experience the food and wine culture of the Langhe in a more intimate setting. The restaurant is particularly well placed for wine lovers, with the vineyards and celebrated producers of Barbaresco country all around you, including the famous Gaja estate just next door. It is an ideal stop for exploring one of Piedmont’s most atmospheric wine villages.
As recommended by Sara da Val.
Learn more: https://www.grassofratelli.com/
10. Where the Slow Food story began
Food lovers should make time for Locanda Borgo Vecchio, a restaurant with a special place in the history of Italy’s Slow Food movement. The story of Slow Food began in this corner of Piedmont, making the locanda a particularly meaningful stop for anyone interested in the connection between local food, tradition and the people who preserve it. Come for the food, but stay for the history, this is a place where Piedmont’s culinary identity feels very much alive.
As recommended by Sara da Val.
Learn more: https://borgovecchioneive.it/
Photo Credit: Locanda Borgo Vecchio
11. Go underground at Contratto
A visit to Contratto in Canelli is a must for lovers of sparkling wine and Piedmontese history. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the estate is home to a beautifully restored courtyard and museum, but the real spectacle lies underground. Beneath the winery is an extraordinary cathedral-like cellar stretching across more than 5,000 square metres, where more than 1.5 million bottles of sparkling wine are stored and aged. JoJo also recommends looking beyond the bubbles to Contratto’s Vermouths and liqueurs, made according to recipes that have remained unchanged for more than a century.
As recommended by Jodie Hellman.
Learn more: https://www.contratto.it/
Photo Credit: Contratto
12. Lose yourself in the cellar
In the heart of Treiso, La Ciau del Tornavento is a destination for anyone who believes that a great restaurant should have an equally great wine cellar. The award-winning collection is housed in an extraordinary underground maze, with separate rooms filled with vertical and horizontal collections from some of the world’s most important producers. Bottles seem to occupy every available space, even overhead in the ceiling, making the cellar itself an experience worth visiting. And, of course, there is the opportunity to enjoy the wines alongside the restaurant’s celebrated cuisine.
As recommended by Jodie Hellman.
Learn more: https://www.laciaudeltornavento.it/it/
13. Discover the wines of Roero
Step away from the famous vineyards of Barolo and Barbaresco and discover Roero, a beautiful corner of Piedmont with its own rich wine heritage. Angelo Negro has been making wine here since 1670 and remains a family-run estate dedicated exclusively to native Piedmontese grape varieties. The winery played an important role in preserving Arneis, one of the region’s most distinctive white grapes, and its wines offer a wonderful introduction to the character of Roero. Don’t miss Sudisfà, a 100% Nebbiolo whose name means “I am satisfied” in Piedmontese dialect, a fitting name chosen by Giovanni Negro when he was finally happy with the Nebbiolo he had been working on. Beyond the wines, Roero is well worth exploring for its beautiful landscapes, trekking routes and lively summer evenings, when the Negro family opens the winery for events and apericena.
As recommended by Erica Parisi.
Learn more: https://www.angelonegro.it/
Planning a trip to other parts of Italy? Check out our top picks:
- Top 10 Tips for Wine Lovers in Calabria this Summer
- Top 10 Tips for Wine Lovers in Napoli and the Amalfi Coast this Summer
- Top 10 Tips for Wine Lovers in Sicily this Summer
- Top 10 Tips for Wine Lovers in Puglia this Summer
The Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) community is a global network of wine professionals, educators, and enthusiasts who have completed rigorous certification programs centered exclusively on the native grape varieties, terroir, and history of Italy’s 20 wine regions.
Discover more at: https://www.instagram.com/vinitalyinternational/
Don’t forget, for the best and most up-to-date insights into Italian food, wine and travel follow the Italian Wine Podcast on social media or wherever you get your podcasts.
