Discover the best of Piedmont’s wine regions, Barolo and Barbaresco, with my insider recommendations for your perfect wine getaway in Italy! From charming accommodations nestled amidst the vineyards to hidden gems waiting to be discovered. I’m spilling all the details on where to stay, what to do, and where to enjoy really good wine. Let’s dive into the heart of Italian wine country.

First on the list, where to stay in Barolo:

Where we stayed: Borgo Roggeri – This was a quaint stay in the vineyards of Barolo. This country house offers fully equipped rooms, comfortable beds, and great amenities for guests. Our exceptional host, Paola, went above and beyond, ensuring every detail was perfect. From serving breakfast and coffee to our room each morning, even organizing tours, and offering local recommendations for planning the day. We loved the added tips for restaurants and wineries in the area.

Tip: The hotel is a short drive into town and easy to get around if you rent a car. Highly recommend having a car for flexibility.

Day One: Heading to Piedmont from Milan

Day One: After spending a few days in Milan, we headed to Piedmont. If you’re in the area, we recommend renting a car and driving 2 hours to the town of La Morra where we stayed at Borgo Roggeri. We didn’t arrive till later so we opted for a late dinner and relaxing, it was well worth it.

This was hands down one of our best meals of the entire trip. La Cantina Wine Bar & Cafe in La Morra was a small quaint spot that had incredible local Piedmontese cuisine, selection of high quality local producers, and delicious gelato and cheese board to end the meal. The meal lasted 3 hours and we enjoyed every single moment. It’s the same quality we strive for at each of our wine experiences.

Day Two: Monforte d’Alba, Winery & Cooking Class near Piedmont

Morning: We explored the town of Monforte d’Alba, a quaint hilltop town with historic churches, incredible views of Piedmont, and inviting wine shops. Parking was convenient in the town center. We took a climb to the top where we found the old church and amphitheater, home to the annual jazz fest. There were so many colorful homes with wisteria and vines growing on them. A truly picture-perfect moment.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, we visited Fontanafredda. Before our private tour, we dined at their on-site restaurant and enjoyed a delicious espresso. The estate is on beautiful grounds with a fascinating history involving a king’s mistress. We explored the wine caves and cellars, each with plenty of opportunities for private tastings. During our visit, we had the chance to taste three different Barolos from the 2018 vintage, each from a different vineyard owned by the winery.

Evening: In the evening, we attended a cooking class at Effe Foods to learn about the local cuisine. Led by local legend Fernanda, we discovered the art of preparing regional dishes such as “Tajarin” Tagliatelle, Sage and butter “Plin”, Veal braised with Nebbiolo, “Bunet” – a chocolate and amaretti dessert, Hazelnut cookies, and more! Fernanda shared many of her family’s secret recipes and techniques, each one incredibly unique. To complement our meal, she introduced us to some of her favorite wines from small producers. The entire experience lasted around 4 hours and was pure bliss.

Day Three: Wineries in Piedmont & the Town of Neive

We hired a driver since the towns were a bit further out and we were visiting more wineries. It was the most picturesque drive back from the town of Neive to La Morra.

Morning: In the morning, we visited Voerzio Martini, a small family owned winery in La Morra, Italy. I got the chance to meet, Federica, who is part of the next generation of Barolo winemakers taking on the family business with her twin brother, Mirko. Connecting with them reminded me of our love for supporting small, top-notch producers and we hope to share with you soon at our SNOOTI wine tasting events.⁠

Afternoon: We spent lunch in the town of Neive at l’Aromatario for more local Piedmont cuisine. We couldn’t get enough of it. We walked around town for about an hour before our tasting appointment at Castello di Neive. This castle sits in Neive, a cute town in the Barbaresco wine region. With a wine cellar holding batches dating back to the 1930s, and guess what? The family still lives on the grounds.⁠ It was so great to experience after just serving their wine at our After Dark event.

How many days should you spend in Piedmont’s Wine Regions?

Well, I can tell you that three days was not enough. There were so many more places to explore and I can’t wait to go back. It’s a slower pace of life, but extremely refined from the cuisine to the wine culture. I brought back with me so much inspiration for future wine experiences for our tastings!