Food & Wine
Piedmont wine: Barolo, Alba truffles and the wine hotels of the Langhe
Piedmont means Barolo and Barbaresco, white truffles from Alba and hills of vineyards as far as the eye can see. Here is our guide to a Piedmont wine trip, with the hotels we would stay in.
Morning mist fills the valleys, with only the hilltops showing above it: villages, castle towers and rows of vines. When the sun burns the fog away, the air smells of damp earth and truffles from a village restaurant. Piedmont, in north-west Italy, is one of the world’s great wine regions and one of the best places to eat in Italy.
The vineyard landscapes of the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Barolo and Barbaresco are made here from the nebbiolo grape, along with Barbera, Dolcetto and Moscato. Here is how to plan your trip, and the hotels we recommend.
The links to the hotels are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
How to plan a Piedmont wine trip
The Langhe: Barolo and Barbaresco, the best known wine villages.
Alba: the town of the truffle market and great restaurants.
The Roero: sandy soils, Arneis and small castle villages.
Getting there: fly to Turin or Milan and hire a car.
Book your visits: most producers welcome visitors by appointment.
The Langhe: Barolo and Barbaresco
The Langhe is home to the villages of Barolo, La Morra, Serralunga d’Alba and Barbaresco, with vineyards in every direction. Many producers are small family estates, and you often taste the wine with the person who made it.
Il Boscareto Resort & Spa: views over the Barolo hills
Il Boscareto is in Serralunga d’Alba, in the heart of Barolo country, with vineyard views from the rooms, spa and pool. The restaurant serves local food with a regional wine list.
A modern wine hotel for luxury right in the landscape.
Book your wine trip: See rooms at Il Boscareto Resort & Spa
Relais San Maurizio
A former monastery near Santo Stefano Belbo
Relais San Maurizio: a former monastery among the vines
Relais San Maurizio occupies a former monastery on a hill near Santo Stefano Belbo, between the Langhe and Moscato country. The pool looks out over the vineyards.
For peace, history and a spa after days of tasting.
Book your wine trip: See rooms at Relais San Maurizio
Alba and truffle season
Alba is the main town of the Langhe, with medieval towers, great restaurants and wine bars. In autumn it hosts the international white truffle fair, and the town fills with the scent of truffles. The area is also known for hazelnuts.
Hotel Calissano
In central Alba
Hotel Calissano: in central Alba
Hotel Calissano is in the centre of Alba, a short walk from the old town, the restaurants and the truffle market. It is a practical, comfortable base.
A good choice if you want to walk to dinner and use the town as your base.
Book your wine trip: See rooms at Hotel Calissano
The Roero: castles and Arneis
The Roero, across the Tanaro river from the Langhe, is quieter, with sandy soils, the white wine Arneis and small villages topped by castles.
Castello di Guarene
A castle overlooking the Roero
Castello di Guarene: stay in a castle
Castello di Guarene is an 18th century castle in the Roero, with gardens overlooking the Tanaro valley. The spa has a pool carved into the rock.
A hotel for living like nobility for a weekend.
Book your wine trip: See rooms at Castello di Guarene
When is the best time to visit Piedmont?
Autumn is high season, with the harvest in September and October and truffle season in Alba from October. Spring is green and quiet. Summer is warm, but the vineyards are beautiful all season.
When should you book your hotel?
October and November: the Alba truffle fair fills the hotels.
September weekends: harvest time and lots of visitors.
Flexible rates: choose a cancellable room if you are planning far ahead.
Frequently asked questions about Piedmont wine
What is Piedmont known for?
Piedmont is known for Barolo and Barbaresco made from the nebbiolo grape, as well as Barbera, Dolcetto and Moscato. The region is also famous for white truffles from Alba and hazelnuts.
When is truffle season in Alba?
White truffle season is in autumn, and the Alba truffle fair usually runs from October into December. Check the dates for the year you travel.
How do you get to Piedmont?
Fly to Turin or Milan and hire a car. From Turin it takes about an hour to drive to Alba and the Langhe.
Where should you stay in Piedmont?
Il Boscareto in Serralunga d’Alba is in the heart of Barolo country, Relais San Maurizio is near Santo Stefano Belbo, Hotel Calissano is in central Alba and Castello di Guarene is in the Roero.
Do you need to book wine tastings in Piedmont?
Yes, most producers welcome visitors by appointment. Many are small family businesses, so book well ahead.