Piedmont Festival
Programme
Monday 2 May:
Evening: Arrive and register at the Hotel Le Case dei Conti Mirafiore. The hotel is located in the Fontanafredda winery complex, which was founded by royalty - the first king of Italy (Vittorio Emanuele II) in the mid 1800s. Feel free to walk in the beautiful grounds. Festival resgistration will be from 5.00pm. Then meet in the hotel at 7.00pm for a reception and orientation, followed by an informal dinner in the Osteria Disguido at 7.30 pm.
Tuesday 3 May:
10 am: Board the coach for the 30 minute drive to the town of Bra, home of the global Slow Food movement. We will have a cheese tasting at one of the finest cheese shops in Italy – Giolito Formaggi, followed by a leisurely stroll through town.
12 pm: Our lunch is at the famous Osteria del Boccondivino in Bra. This is the true epicenter of the Slow Food movement.
1.45 pm: Board the coach for the short journey to the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, a campus which houses the sprawling Banca del Vino enoteca. Receive a 90-minute wine seminar on the terroir of the Langhe region that creates the ideal environment for creating the ‘wine of kings and the king of wines’, and other fantastic styles of wine.
5 pm: Back at the hotel, tour the historic Fontanafredda & Mirafiore winery.
6.30 pm: Board the coach for the short journey towards the hilltop town of La Morra. Along the way, stop by the whimsically colorful Cappella della Madonna delle Grazie, a tiny chapel built along the slopes of the Brunate vineyards.
7.30 pm: After admiring the stunning views of the Barolo valley, dinner will be at the wonderful Bovio restaurant. The meal will be accompanied by wines from Rocche Costamagna (La Morra), presented by the winery’s general manager - Alessandro Locatelli
Wednesday 4 May:
9.45 am: Board the coach for the village of Monforte d’Alba.
10.30 am: Tour and taste the wines of Conterno Fantino
11.45 am: Travel to the traditional hill town of Verduno. Receive a tour and tasting at the Castello di Verduno. Given the small size of the cantina, the group will be split into two halves, with one group rotating having the tasting and enjoying the property and views of the valley while the other group tours the cellar. Afterwards, a traditional Piemontese lunch will be served in a local restaurant.
2 pm: Board the coach for the journey to the village of Barolo. The afternoon will be spent strolling through the charming village and touring the fascinating Museum of Wine, starting from 2.30 pm.
4 pm: Tour the Borgogno winery in the village, and taste its amazing wines.
5 pm: Travel by coach back to the hotel
7.30 pm. After a well-earned rest, a dress-coded dinner will be at the 1-Michelin starred restaurant – Guido - in the Fontanafredda complex. Borgogno wines will be paired with the meal.
Thursday 5 May:
9 am: Travel by coach to tour the historical Contratto cellar of La Spinetta, in the village of Canelli. The Contratto dates to 1867 and is Italy’s longest running sparkling wine producer, made in the Metodo Classico process similar to that of Champagne.
11.45 am: Travel to the village of Barbaresco and the Marchesi di Gresy winery for a tour of their modern facility, a tasting and lunch.
Afternoon: Free time in the village of Barbaresco, full of quaint cafes and wine shops, a medieval tower and encircled by picturesque vineyards. There will be an optional vineyard visit for those who wish.
6 pm: Dinner in Barbaresco at the famous Anticatorre restaurant, paired with wines from Produttori del Barbaresco.
Friday 6 May:
9.30 am: Travel by coach to the Pio Cesare winery in the heart of the city of Alba. Half of the group will tour the acclaimed winery and taste the wines, while the other half enjoys a roam through the streets of Alba, with its shops, churches and other attractions. Though May is not truffle season, many retailers pay homage throughout the year through their product range to the finest white and black truffles in the world.
12.30 pm: Lunch will be at L’inedito Vigin Mudest, paired with wines from Pio Cesare.
2.30 pm: The afternoon will be the mirror image of the morning, with the two halves of the group swapping the morning’s activities.
4.30 pm: Travel by coach back to the hotel to dress for the gala dinner.
5.40 pm: Travel by coach to the majestic 11th century Castello di Grinzane Cavour. After a tour of the castle, a local flag troupe will provide entertainment with a traditional display of music and pageantry.
7 pm: Cocktails and dinner at the 1-Michelin starred restaurant – Marc Lanteri – in the castle.
Saturday 7 May:
Tour ends. You are free to travel to other destinations or make your way home.