Piedmont: Food & Wine

Meet at Porta Nuova train station for transport to Villa San Lorenzo, where you’ll enjoy a welcome aperitivo. Settle in and learn about the local winemakers, chefs, butchers, and hazelnut farmers whose products you’ll taste during the week. Dinner follows at the villa, featuring fresh, regional ingredients. Staff will introduce you to the unique local food and wine culture of the region—a perfect start to your cultural adventure.

After a homemade breakfast, venture into the forest with our friend and truffle hunter Danilo and his dog, Lila, to unearth the secrets of truffle hunting. Next, visit the charming village of Albaretto della Torre to explore the world of Alta Langa sparkling wine, paired with local sheep and goat cheeses. For lunch, enjoy regional specialties at a tucked-away trattoria. Later, return to the villa to bake homemade bread from ancient wheat, then cap off the day with a comforting dinner featuring plin in brodo, local wines, and lively conversation.

Begin your morning with a “breakfast of champions,” savoring truffles atop fried eggs. Head to Cascina Barroero in the Alta Langa to discover the prized Tonda Gentile hazelnut, sampling decadent pastries and chocolates. Continue on to the Romanesque church of Santa Maria before visiting Pascoli di Amaltea in Mombarcaro for a cheese-focused lunch, featuring seasonal creations made from sheep and goat milk. Back at the villa, guest chef and winemaker Marco Battaglino will guide you through a hands-on cooking class of Piemontese classics, paired with his own Dolcetto and Timorasso wines.

After optional yoga and breakfast, immerse yourself in local life at the bustling Dogliani market, enjoying a classic Italian coffee and croissant. Next, visit Serradenari in La Morra, the highest Nebbiolo vineyard in the Barolo region, to taste Giulia Negri’s elegant wines. A leisurely lunch at Osteria Veglio offers superb vineyard views and celebrated reds. Later, explore the historic hilltop towns of Serralunga d’Alba and Monforte d’Alba, then return to the villa for an evening of risotto-making with rice sommelier Valentina. Wine pairings and Piedmontese hospitality round out the day.

Set out for Torino, Piedmont’s sophisticated capital brimming with centuries of history. With local guide Sandro, wander grand piazzas, Art Nouveau cafés, and regal avenues, pausing to sip the city’s signature Bicerin—a velvety blend of espresso and chocolate. If you wish, explore the renowned Egyptian Museum, or simply stroll the elegant arcades lined with boutiques and gelaterias. Back at Villa San Lorenzo, dinner awaits along with a nightcap featuring Torino’s famed vermouth as you toast another memorable day in Piedmont.

Begin with a sweet stop at a tiny pasticceria in Bossolasco, then head to Barbaresco country. At Azienda Agricola Paitin in Neive, learn the nuances of Nebbiolo’s other noble expression and savor a traditional lunch at Antica Torre by Barbaresco’s ancient tower. Continue to Alba, world-renowned for white truffles, where you may explore a truffle museum or trace the city’s roots to Roman times. Conclude the evening back at the villa with a festive wood-fired meal, joined by local winemaker friends raising a glass to celebrate the week’s adventures.

Enjoy a final breakfast at Villa San Lorenzo before bidding farewell. Depart with cherished memories, newfound culinary insights, and a deeper appreciation for Piedmont’s rich cultural heritage—ready to savor every bite of your next Italian journey.