Piedmont literally means ‘at the foot of the mountains’, because the wine region is surrounded by mountains which represent a natural border with France, Switzerland and Liguria. Viticulture, with its more than 46,000 hectares of vineyards, plays a protagonist role in Piedmont, one of the three classic Italian wine regions. See for yourselves the top 7 Piedmont wineries to visit to make your wine holiday a success.
Piedmont has a rich heritage of native grape varieties, which often do not find out of the borders other suitable areas and are therefore quite unique. The Nebbiolo grape – Piedmont’s greatest red variety – has reigned supreme in the glacial soil of the hills that flank the Sesia river for centuries now. Nebbiolo has proven difficult to grow elsewhere in the world, yet in Piedmont, there is the right balance of altitude, exposure and soil to achieve the perfection of Barolo and Barbaresco. To discover the many different facets of Nebbiolo’s character, find out more in our Top 7 Piedmont Wineries to Visit!
1. La Raia
The project of the Rossi Cairo family at La Raia evolves continuously and, year after year, it is enriched with new pieces: from the biodynamic practices to the creation of the Foundation La Raia, which involves permanent artistic works among the vineyards, with the aim of bonding inextricably art, culture and territory. There are just some of the many reasons why it makes our top Piedmont wineries list. The vineyards, immersed in an ecosystem of great beauty and charm, have been increased by about 10 hectares thanks to the acquisition of the neighbouring winery Tenuta Cucco. La Raia offers a truffle hunting and wine tasting package and accommodation in luxury apartments (tours from 17€ pp).
Interested in vineyard tours and wine tastings at La Raia?
2. Tenuta Cucco
This spectacular winery is located at the roots of the renowned Serralunga d’Alba castle which dominates the whole Langhe area. Vigna Cucco, the oldest vineyard, from which comes the Barolo Riserva, is the most authentic expression of the cru Cerrati. The terroir of this area is one of the most famous in the world and allows to obtain wines of high complexity, persistence and longevity. While here visitors can enjoy one of the top Piedmont wineries with a tour of the cellars where winemaking and ageing is carried out and with a tasting the products (tours from 17€ pp).
Ready to experience vineyard tours and wine tastings at Tenuta Cucco?
3. Punset
Marina Marcarino chose from the beginning, thirty years ago, to cultivate vineyards organically and today her story is an example of how sustainable practices minimize environmental impact to further guarantee quality for the consumers.
Punset’s vineyards (located in the Langhe-Roero) are specialised in the production of Barbaresco of beautiful structure and incisiveness. In the agritourism connected to the winery, visitors can take part in cooking classes and experience Punset’s biodynamic philosophy (tours from 13€ pp).
Interested in vineyard tours and wine tastings at Punset?
4. Isolabella Della Croce
The family-owned estate Isolabella Della Croce is run with great dedication and commitment by the young Andrea Elegir, which can already boast considerable experience. The old farmhouse, about 500 meters above sea level, is surrounded by vineyards and woods, in a Piedmont glimpse of rare beauty. Visiting guests can enjoy picnics at the winery and taste typical cheeses and cold cuts from Piemonte region (tours from 15€ pp).
Would you like to experience wine tastings and guided vineyard tours at Isolabella Della Croce?
5. Azienda Agricola Josetta Saffirio
Azienda Agricola Josetta Saffirio is an estate nestled in the heart of the Langhe that UNESCO has declared a world heritage site. Josetta and Roberto made the first quality Nebbiolo it in the late ’70s. Ten years later came the Barolo with the current label characterized by its now-famous bearded and smiling gnome, the result of the fantastic stories of the owner Ernesto. Besides wine tastings, the cellar can also offer trekking tours, picnics and truffle hunting (tours from 15 € pp)!
Experience wine tastings, truffle hunting and yoga in the vineyards at Azienda Agricola Josetta Saffirio.
6. La Luna del Rospo
La Luna del Rospo is one of our top Piedmont wineries. It’s organic and run by a German, Renate Schütz, who found this corner of Asti about twenty years ago, fell in love and remained to build a happy wine oasis where every tree, plant and insect plays a precise role in a complex and harmonious ecosystem. The philosophy of the winery is to let the vineyards speak, even in the cellar and in the winemaking by omitting the use of selected yeasts and enzymes so as to allow the fruit to express the terroir (tours from 15€ pp).
Ready to experience winery tours and wine tastings at La Luna del Rospo?
7. Ca’ ed Balos
All photo credit: Partners for Winerist
Ca’ ed Balos is a small family-owned estate that pays particular attention to quality and respect of the environment. The name literally means house of scoundrel and for that bottle labels are depicting scenes with people dancing and celebrating. The winery’s main production is Moscato d’Asti, a dessert wine that visitors can enjoy during wine tasting paired with local products (tours from 10 € pp).
Interested in wine tastings and a visit of the vineyards at Ca’ ed Balos?
Want to get even more from your visit? Here’s a list of the Top 10 Things to Do in Piedmont to make sure your wine holiday experiences in Piedmont are priceless.