Piemont the discovery of gradualness Those who visit Piedmont travel for sheer enjoyment. Driving through the land of truffles and Barolo is a joy for the driver and not just a treat for the palate. The road is like a roller-coaster, up mountain sides and down into valleys, bravely climbing hills and shooting back down again. There are vineyards as far as the eye can see, and castles and fortresses towering in isolation into the distance. And, best of all you won't see any coaches or floods of tourists in Piedmont. Route profile Country: Distance: Absolute Driving time : Recommended tour duration: Best touring season: Route character Track exhilarating Landscape wild Destinations intellectual 220 km / 137 mi 5 Hours 1 Day Apr. - Oct. relaxing picturesque pleasurable
Approx. 4 hours, 48 minutes for 221,6 km / 137 mi La Villa Hotel Hotels Breakfast on the terrace with a view across the endless vineyards of Montferrat. The scent of jasmine fills the air. The summer nights are long and warm. La Villa is a privately run country hotel in a 17th century n palazzo. The sunshine-yellow villa was refurbished in 2005. Antique furniture, heavy fabrics and elegant wrought iron work retain their original charm and enchantment. 14 classically modern bedrooms and suites offer a captivatingly romantic view above roses and vines. La Villa Hotel, Via Torino 7, 14046 Mombaruzzo (AT), Italie Chris und Nicola Norton, proprietors Tel.: +39 0141 793 890 Fax: +39 0141 793 890 E-Mail: info@lavillahotel.net Open year-round.
As a unique highlight, the enthusiastic hosts Chris and Nicola Norton offer truffle hunting trips with hunters and dogs during the truffle season (from end of September). www.lavillahotel.net 25 km / 16 mi Vinothèrapie Spa Caudalíe in the Hotel San Maurizio Health & spa Vines as far as the eye can see. The Caudalíe Vinothèrapie opened in 2003, high above the Muscat vineyards of Santo Stefano. Between the centuries-old stone walls of a former monastery, a team of professional doctors and therapists are completely devoted to beauty, revitalisation and relaxation. They capture the power of both grapes and wine in an enchantingly mysterious setting. The active ingredients in the pipes, vines and leaves have a rejuvenating effect, and smooth and define the skin. Vinothèrapie Caudalíe im Hotel San Maurizio, Località San Maurizio 39, 12058 Santo Stefano Belbo (CN), Italie Simona Ferrio, Spa Director Tel.: +39 0141 844 028 Fax: +39 0141 844 028 E-Mail: vino@caudalie.it Open year-round; booking essential. 31 bedrooms and suites retain the enchantment of antiquity in the historic mews and monks' cells in this former 16th century monastery. www.caudalie.com und www.relaissanmaurizio.it 36 km / 22 mi Ristorante La Contea Food & drink La Contea is a tiny restaurant. In the rooms of the Baroque Conti Cocito palace, the atmosphere is of a family restaurant, almost retro-chic, romantic. Between sunshine-yellow walls and with its opulent lights and richly ornamented ceilings, La Contea takes us on a culinary journey through the traditional cuisine of the Langhe region. Simple rural dishes are re-interpreted and shine with elegance and creativity. Only seasonal products from the nearby fields and farms are used in the kitchen. Ristorante La Contea, Piazza Cocito 8, 12052 Neive (CN), Italie Antonio Verro, proprietors Tel.: +39 0173 67126 Fax: +39 0173 67126 E-Mail: lacontea@la-contea.it
Open year-round; booking essential. The enoteca nestles between the castle walls and the idyllic Conti Cocito square. Here, visitors can enjoy home-made wine and piedmontese specialities. www.la-contea.it 43 km / 27 mi Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Grésy Vineyard Vineyards Traditionally, grape growers sold their entire harvest and famous wine producers then made the wine from the grapes. In 1973, Alberto di Grésy decided to transform his own grapes into wine. He grows nebbiolo grapes on 11 ha of land, which he then uses to make Barbaresco Martinenga, one of the best wines of its type. Ruby red in colour, it has a fragrance of sweet tobacco, leather and spices. There are wine tastings on the terrace in the summer with a beautiful view of the undulating vineyards. Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Grésy, Martinenga, 12050 Barbaresco (CN), Italie Alberto di Grésy, wine producer Tel.: +39 0173 635212 Fax: +39 0173 635212 E-Mail: wine@marchesidigresy.com Open year-round; Mon. Fri. from 09:00 17:30 hrs; closed in the 2nd and 3rd weeks of August. When making your reservation, ask for Marco Dotta. The wine producer is happy to talk at length about his work. www.marchesidigresy.com 66 km / 44 mi Ristorante Guido Pollenzo Food & drink Wine used to mature in bottles in the cellars of the former monastery. Today, the starred restaurant Guido Pollenzo is located here. A modern restaurant in an ancient setting, it is also jointly operated by two of the region's most respected gastronomic families: the Alciatis and the Mongellis. One family is known for its superb meat preparation skills, and the others are famous fish experts. This can only be surpassed by probably what is the best selection of wines in the region.
Ristorante Guido Pollenzo, Via Fossano 19, 12060 Pollenza (CN), Italie Andrea Alciati, proprietor Tel.: +39 0172 458422 Fax: +39 0172 458422 E-Mail: info@guidoristorante.it January September: Tue. Sat. in the evening; October December, Tue. Sat. also open at lunchtime. The best wines from more than 300 wine producers from all over are stored in the Banca del Vino right next door a homage to n wine! Tastings by appointment. www.guidoristorante.it 72 km / 45 mi Associazione Sportiva Golf Club Cherasco Golf courses The golf club is idyllically located between the hills and vineyards below the ancient city of Cherasco, where the River Tanaro and the River Stura meet. It has been integrated into the natural landscape over two levels. 18 fairways run alongside the rivers. Pines, oaks and maples line the terrain. Narrow fairways and differences in height call for a very precise game. For those who prefer to enjoy the sporting activity from afar, there is a large swimming pool in the midst of a landscaped park. Associazione Sportiva Golf Club Cherasco, Via Fraschetta 8, 12062 Cherasco (Cn), Italie Corrado Graglia, director Tel.: +39 0172 489772 Fax: +39 0172 489772 E-Mail: info@golfcherasco.com EAn 18-hole course open year-round, Wed. Mon.; reception open from 08:00 18:00 hrs; starting times from 08:00 18:00 hrs; closed Tuesdays. Course: An 18-hole course (par 72). Handicap: Non-members with the minimum handicap for the course may also play. Greenfee: Mon Fri 35.00; Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 50.00. Golf Pro: Giuseppe Cardone, David Carvallo
Championships are often held at the weekends, so it is essential to check opening times and possible starting times beforehand. www.golfcherasco.com 90 km / 56 mi Elio Altare vineyard Vineyards As a young man, Elio Altare travelled to Burgundy, France, impressed by the quality and handling of the wines there. Back home, he completely transformed his own wine production, replacing the oxen that had worked the fields until 1971 with modern cellar technology and new visions. He drastically pruned the vines, completely gave up using herbicides, and grapes are sorted rigorously during harvesting. The n journal Gambero Rosso named him "Wine producer of the year" in 2005. Elio Altare, Frazione Annunziata 51, 12064 La Morra (CN), Italie Silvia Altare Tel.: +39 0173 50835 Fax: +39 0173 50835 E-Mail: elioaltare@elioaltare.com Open year-round; Mon. Sun. by appointment. Regular customers often bring back a good bottle of wine that they've brought back from their travels and swap it for one of the house wines the warehouse of wines from all over the world now contains over 300 bottles. www.elioaltare.com 95 km / 59 mi Enoteca Regionale Piedmontese Cavour Wine & Delicacies Local manufacturers The Enoteca opened in 1967. It was the first in the region. Piedmontese wines, regional delicacies and the famous truffles are served between the centuries-old walls and bright glass mosaics. The impressive castle nestles around a historic 12th century tower. Top international chefs meet here each year in November for the famous auction of the white Alba truffle. In 2007, the most expensive truffle was sold to Hong Kong for 143,000. Enoteca Regionale Piemontese Cavour, Via Castello 5, 12060 Grinzane Cavour (CN), Italie Daniela Viberti, Vice President Tel.: +39 0173 262159 Fax: +39 0173 262159 E-Mail: info@castellogrinzane.com
Open year-round; April October: Wed. Mon. from 09:30 19:00 hrs; November March open until 18:00 hrs; closed on Tuesdays and in January (01.09. 15.11.2008 also open Tuesdays). The ethnographic museum in the castle provides insights into the fragrant world of the truffle. www.castellogrinzane.com 100 km / 62 mi Tenuta Montanello Vineyard Vineyards This vineyard in the heart of the Barolo region lies on the crest of the hill, in the heart of the silent landscape. Vines as far as the eye can see. The idyllic estate has been owned by the Racca family (now in its fifth generation) since 1864. nebbiolo, barbera, dolcetto, langhe freisa and merlot grapes ripen on the 11 ha of vineyards around the estate. The family makes its wines using traditional methods, creating rich, ruby-red wines with a fragrance of violets, vanilla and roses. Tenuta Montanello, Via Alba-Monforte 40, 12060 Castiglione Falletto (CN), Italie Alberto Racca, proprietor Tel.: +39 0173 62949 Fax: +39 0173 62949 E-Mail: info@tenutamontanello.it Open year-round by appointment. The family produces their own grappa, in addition to wine. www.tenutamontanello.it 108 km / 67 mi Antica Dispensa Bricco Bastia - Specialities & Delicacies Local manufacturers All products are home-produced. Ferruccio Ribrezzo's idea for the Antica Dispensa stems from his deep rooted passion for and its way of life. Together with his wife Nadia and son Alberto, he now offers the best of the many culinary delights that the region has to offer: biscuits, sauces, chilli, liver, chutneys and much more. In the little yellow farmhouse known as La Monfortina, with its pretty blue windows, pasta is made using traditional methods. Antica Dispensa Bricco Bastia, Via Bava Beccaris 3, 12065 Monteforte d Alba
(CN), Italie Alberto Ribrezzo, proprietor Tel.: +39 0173 787120 Fax: +39 0173 787120 E-Mail: briccobastia@anticadispensa.it Open year-round; Mon. Sat. by appointment. Surrounded by roses in full bloom and carefully maintained gardens, the magnificent pink villa alone is worth a visit. www.anticadispensa.it 175 km / 109 mi Town of Acqui Terme Sightseeing The town is famous for its healing thermal springs. In ancient times, healers, doctors and scientists valued the soothing effects of the mud from the depths of the lake. Today, the remains of ancient aqueducts in the river valley and centuries-old mosaic floors in the historic swimming pools bear witness to the past of the town, which is centred on its thermal springs. The hot, sulphurous water bubbles up at 75 C in a classical pump room in the heart of the town on the Piazza Bollente square. Acqui Terme, Piazza Italie, 15011 Acqui Terme (AL), Italie Parking available in the Piazza. Cosmetics containing healing ingredients from the thermal spring water can be bought in a small shop on the Piazza. www.termediacqui.it 202 km / 126 mi Giraudi Cioccolato Artignale Chocolate Manufactory Local manufacturers It all began with the opening of a mill and bakery back in 1907. Giacomo Boidi was entrusted with the craft at a very early age. His uncles were chocolate makers and confectioners. In the 1960s, he concentrated increasingly on producing his "sweet gold". Today, he constantly surprises with imaginative chocolate creations, creating daring yet delicious combinations. Chocolates are filled with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and gorgonzola; the sweet gold comes in shapes of keys, locks and horseshoes. Giraudi Cioccolato Artignale, Via Giraudi 16, loc. Micarella, 15073 Castellazzo Bormida (AL), Italie
Giacomo Boidi Tel.: +39 0131 278472 Fax: +39 0131 278472 E-Mail: info@giraudi.it Open year-round; Mon. Sat. from 07:30 12:30 and 14:30 19:00 hrs; June August: closed Saturday evening. It is possible to tour the chocolate production area and sample the products by appointment. www.giraudi.it