ONE-DAY ITINERARY: THE BAROLO ROAD AND THE ROMANTIC LANGHE ROAD

When discussing Italian wine regions, Piemonte is not only one of the main areas but also one of the most beautiful to visit! When we planned our tour in the region of Piedmont in Italy (“Piemonte” if you like to use the original italian name of the region), we could not miss a visit to the wineries, and we wanted to travel two of Italy’s most famous wine routes: the Barolo route and the romantic Langhe and Roero route. Having only one day at our disposal, we tried to do a “mesh-up” and, therefore, spent a day exploring the Barolo and Langhe areas, which offer breathtaking views, with the expanses of vines rolling down the hills, encountering historic locations and wineries where we could taste exceptional wines and learn more about this fantastic territory.

Verduno

Our first stop was the town of Verduno, which is located in the Barolo wine production area.

Verduno is a small town with less than a thousand inhabitants and its origins are ancient, dating back to Roman times. The center of Verduno is a succession of small alleys that will lead you up a slope to Verduno Castle and the small church of San Lorenzo. The path will lead you to a beautiful viewpoint over the valley, adjacent to the church .

At the cellars of the Verduno castle, you can try a variety of local wines: in addition to the ever-present Barolo and Barbaresco, you can find other local wines such as Nebbiolo, Dolcetto and Verduno Doc, grown only in this area. We recommend that you book your tasting in advance, via the winery’s website.

Itinerario Barolo e Langhe: Accesso al centro storico di Verduno da un vicolo dove si affacciano case colorate

Verduno

La Morra

Going south, you will find the village of La Morra, a little larger than Verduno and also dating back to Roman times. It’s a typical medieval village, whose alleys go up the hill and lead to Piazza Castello, overlooked by the bell tower and from which you can admire an amazing view of the Barolo lands.

We advise you to stop and ask for information at the Tourist Office, which is located near the ascent of the historic center, or study the website in advance because the municipality and the La Morra Eventi e Turismo association have collaborated to create a number of trails that wind through the Barolo vineyards, scenic viewpoints and very interesting historic sites. The Sentiero del Barolo is the longest and most challenging trail, requiring a half-day’s walk but taking you to discover belvederes, buildings such as the Barolo Chapel, and villages standing still in time.

The giant benches

Throughout our route in Piemonte, and specifically in areas such as Neive or near La Morra, you will come across large benches, a couple of meters high and three meters long, usually placed near scenic viewpoints or popular villages.

These benches are part of an installation created by Chris Bangle, an American designer, and they will accompany you on your journey through the area. Consider taking some photos and making a game out of finding all the benches along the way.

The road to Barolo, the must in the italian wine regions

Barolo is a town of similar size to Verduno, both dating back to Roman times. If you arrive in Barolo by descending from La Morra, you can admire the Castle of Barolo from above, which towers over the town.

A visit to the Wine Museum inside the Castle of Barolo is a must, as it extends over four floors, plus another where the Enoteca Regionale del Barolo is located. The Wine Museum offers a historical journey through wine production and its significance in the art world. Additionally, visitors can explore the Castle and view the preserved furnishings from the time of the Marquises Falletti di Barolo.

Tasting in the Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno Winery

During our tour, we made sure to include a wine tasting experience at the Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno Winery.

The staff was knowledgeable and helpful, guiding us through the various types of wines produced by the winery. We started with lighter wines and ended with the important Barolo vintages, making it one of the best wine tastings in Piemonte. For over a century, the Borgogno family has been passing down their deep knowledge of the terroir from generation to generation.

The winery is situated in Cannubi, on a hill with diverse soil influences that result in varying wine types. One side features the Helvetian slope with sandstones and calcareous clays, while the other side has the Tortonian slope with marls that are low in sand and high in silt and clay.

Various types of tastings are available, including private visits with the producer at the winery and vineyards, or classic tiered tastings that allow you to appreciate the differences between classic Barolo and Barolo Cannubi, or between different vintages of the same label.

For lunch or dinner, we also recommend the adjacent Locanda in Cannubi, an excellent restaurant where you can enjoy local cuisine and a beautiful view from the dining room window.

Itinerario Barolo e Langhe: Vicolo ciottolato e case colorate del centro storico del paesino de La Morra nella zona del Barolo (one of the most important italian wine regions)

Alleys in La Morra

Itinerario Barolo e Langhe: Sala di degustazione del Barolo con botti in legno nella Cantina Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno

Cantina Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno Tasting Room

Itinerario Barolo e Langhe: Vigneti verdi che scendono lungo la collina Cannubi nella zona del Barolo

Cannubi hill

Toward the romantic road of the Langhe: Donna di Langa Viewpoint

On our way back north, we stopped at this viewpoint to catch another glimpse of the Langhe.

The viewpoint is easily accessible by car and has tables and a water fountain.

Rocche dei sette fratelli (Seven brother’s fortresses)

The Rocche dei Sette Fratelli is an intriguing location from both a naturalistic and historical perspective.

It is a vast chasm created by the erosive action of water on the marls typical of this area, resulting in imposing walls covered in small shrubs.

This place is significant from a historical perspective as it was a major site of Resistance struggles and frequently referenced in Beppe Fenoglio’s novels, including Il Partigiano Johnny.

Neive in the Langhe

Neive is a small town located on the border between the Langhe and the Monferrato areas.

It has a rich history dating back to Roman times and boasts medieval architecture such as cobblestone streets, a clock tower, a church, and a viewpoint overlooking the valley.

Neive is situated in the Barbaresco wine-producing region, and local wineries offer this wine in various vintages.

Itinerario Barolo e Langhe: Baratro di rocce bianche coperto di arbusti alle Rocche dei Sette Fratelli nelle Langhe

Rocche dei sette fratelli

Itinerario Barolo e Langhe: Vista sulla colline delle Langhe e sui vigneti dal Punto panoramico Donna di Langa

Viewpoint Donna di Langa

Itinerario Barolo e Langhe: Vicoli ciottolati e case antiche nel centro storico del paesino di Neive nelle Langhe

Alleys in Neive

The Piedmont region of Italy has much to offer the world of wine, and our itinerary gave us the opportunity to experience the traditions and foundations of the region’s wine production. A tour of the Barolo and Langhe areas will satisfy everyone’s taste for food, wine, hilly landscapes, panoramic views, and historic sites – a fabulous experience.

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