Pearls of Piemonte -
with Grape Tours in April 2021
- 5 nights (4 full days)
We will be based in the lovely city of Alba, right in the core of some of Piemonte's most iconic wine regions, the Langhe & Monferrato. Based at the city's most comfortable hotel, we'll be able to do 4 full day trips hitting the most important wine-growing regions, yet also giving us time to explore some of the less known.
Day 1 – Sunday, April 25 - 2021
ARRIVAL IN ALBA & WELCOME DINNER
We will meet in Milan (Central Train Station) and make our way to Alba together and check into our hotel.
Alba is a lovely town famous for its immediate wine regions, truffles, chocolate, hazelnuts and just great food in general.
In the evening we will enjoy a welcome dinner together at a local Slow Food restaurant.
Day 2 – Monday, April 26 - 2021
ROERO
Roero is to the North of the more famous neighbouring regions and remains a little bit of a hidden gem. It's a newcomer and also in a geologically newer area compared to the famous southern appellations, and this is where we will start to familiarize ourselves with the Nebbiolo grape.
Both whites and reds reign here so we will be able to try both excellent yet little known Nebbiolo wines and Arneis. We will start with a small winery where we will meet the winery owner & winemaker who will personally introduce us to this wonderful region and its wines.
Next, we will visit a family-owned and -operated winery where we will be able to enjoy a tasting of 6 different wines with a home-cooked Piemontese lunch.
Back in Alba, we will take a guided walking tour of the town.
Dinner on your own.
Day 3 – Tuesday, April 27 - 2021
BARBARESCO & ASTI
Barbaresco is a smaller region than Barolo, but not less great or famous. In fact, it's often referred to as the queen of Italian wines (where Barolo, of course, takes the role of the king!
On this day we will visit a family-run winery in the heart of Barbaresco where we will taste 5 different wines. Lunch will be in a beautiful spot at a local restaurant overlooking the vineyards.
After lunch, we head to the neighbouring region of Monferrato where the Barbera and Moscato reign. We will visit a winery where we can get a full understanding of the wines of the region.
Free evening in Alba.
Day 4 – Wednesday, April 28 - 2021
BAROLO
Today we will head for the famous Barolo region to discover some wonderful wineries, a traditional winery and a more modern one that rocked the region in the 70'ies. We will learn about cru vineyards (MGA). There will also be time to stop in Barolo village for a walk.
The vineyards will be bountiful of Nebbiolo grapes that will be close to ripeness. Lunch will be at a delicious eatery overlooking the vineyards of Barolo - one of the most beautiful wine regions in the World.
Day 5 – Thursday, April 29 - 2021
DOGLIANI
On our last day, we will head into the hills famous for the Dolcetto grape, Dogliani. Again we will tour some of the most interesting and dynamic wineries of the region while delighting in local cuisine as well.
On our last evening, we will head to the town of Bra, one of Italy's culinary capitals, for our farewell dinner.
Day 6 – Friday, April 30 - 2021
ARRIVEDERCI!
We check out of our hotel and you can continue your travels within Italy from the train station in Alba. We recommend perhaps visiting Turin, or you could continue your travels to other places in Italy... Piemonte is close to the Alps, the Lakes & the Ligurian Riviera and they are all fantastic in September.
THIS JOURNEY INCLUDES:
- Transportation from Milan on Day 1 until end of Day 5.
- Accommodation in 4-star Hotel Calissano in Alba.
Winery visits & tastings, group activities, guided visits and tickets
All programmed meals (2 dinners, 4 lunches) in great local restaurants or farms (wine included).
Grape Tours personally (Rebecca - Italian Wine Scholar) accompanies the group throughout the trip and is the trip manager.
Notice that 3 evenings dinner is on your own. Make sure to make reservations in good time if you want to for example experience the 3 Michelin star restaurant Alba Piazza Duomo.
Cost per person (based on double room occupancy): 2300 euro
(single occupancy 2600 euro/p.p.)
Please shoot us an email on info@grape-tours.com if you may be interested in signing up, or if you're ready to sign up follow the link to register below.
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare & travel to and from starting/departure point, meals not specified in the itinerary.
Availability:
AVAILABLE
TRIP NOTES:
Airport
There are airport shuttle buses to Milan’s central train station, la Stazione Centrale (2 hr from Malpensa, half an hour from Linate).
Meeting
We are meeting at the train station in Milan at 2 pm. We recommend staying overnight in Milan (e.g. a hotel close to the central train station).
If you plan to spend some extra days in Alba, we meet at the hotel reception area at 6.30 pm.
Departure
You can travel by train from Alba to Torino and onwards from there. For those going back to Milan, we can shuttle you to Asti from where you can take a train onwards.
Please notice that this tour could also be organised for a group of 8-18 for a different week - but please enquire in good time & contacts us for a quote.
