Piedmont with Giorgio Rapicavoli

Welcome to Torino! We begin the only way we know how—immersing ourselves into the electric buzz of this lively and ancient metropolis.

As dusk ignites the city and the clatter of small plates echo off the squares, we gather for aperitivo and welcome dinner. We’ll explore the nuances of classic Italian cocktails such as Negroni, Americano, and Aperol Spritz as an appetizer to our elegant welcome dinner. In quintessential Torino fashion, we’ll wander into one of the city’s most iconic kitchens to savor their hyperlocal specialties and toast the beautiful road ahead.

This morning we’ll wind our way through Torino’s famed cafes and mom-and-pop pasticcerias, making sure to stop at an iconic cafe. It’s a decadent indulgence of edible art and the perfect way to begin the day. 

Following our morning dolci, we’ll make our pilgrimage to the countryside where our Piedmont wine education begins. Here, within one of Italy’s most heralded appellations, we’ll sample (among others) the eclectic and volatile Nebbiolo grape, originally planted by the Romans. 

Next up, one of the most unique places in all of Piedmont: Ivrea, a mid-century planned industrial utopia, and a shining example of the ideals of the Movimento Comunità that pervaded Piedmont in the 1950s and ’60s. We’ll pass by the headquarters of Olivetti, the makers of coveted typewriters, and marvel at the blueprints of this ambitious social experiment.

Dinner tonight is simple and magical; thanks to our local sommelier host, we’ll be treated to a meal and wine pairing—the food and wine both farmed just down the road. 

Today, we find ourselves standing in awe as we learn the art of soft cheese with a master cheesemaker. We’ll work our way through fresh mozzarella and burrata, tasting as we go, of course.

And now for some estate-grown wine with that cheese. Just down the road in Monferrato, we’ll stop for an immersive vineyard visit. As we’ll quickly find out, the Cascina isn’t just any winery. The small-batch operation preaches minimal intervention in the hilltop vineyards.

After checking into our new hotel, we’ll take some time to relax. Dinner tonight is on your own. 

This morning, we’ll step outside our hotel to explore the Roman amphitheaters and temples next door and learn about the rich history of Barolo and how this small, beautiful region became the epicenter of Piedmont’s food and wine culture. We’ll then move on to the University of Pollenzo for a tour of its historic campus before descending into the coveted Wine Bank, which features more than 100,000 bottles of Italy’s rarest and most celebrated wines. Afterward, we’ll stop by the Slow Food University for some insider tales from where the slow food movement was born.

Next, we’ll journey to the medieval gem of Alba, renowned as a haven for gourmands. As we wander through its historic streets, we’ll delve into the city’s rich culinary heritage, celebrated for its truffle cuisine and as the birthplace of Nutella. Our visit to Alba promises to be a sensory delight, offering ample time to immerse ourselves in its charming atmosphere.

After, we’ll make our way to a small winery in the village of Neive.  Our tastemakers and the resident winemakers will lead us through a tasting, and thanks to the smoky varietals of the Barbaresco appellation, we’ll practically float back to the hotel.

The late afternoon is yours to embellish. You can find us at the local trattoria nursing an Aperol spritz and reflecting on the amazing journey so far. Then for dinner, we’ll come together at another of our tastemaker’s favorite locales.

The hunt is on for truffles. This morning we’re lacing up our walking shoes and experiencing the legendary terroir of Langhe. We start with a bonafide, Piedmont-style truffle hunt. Led by an expert trifolau, we’ll retreat to the forest with specially trained dogs for a guided experience on locating, identifying, and cooking up these flavorful fungi. 

Hunting for truffles is hard work, but don’t worry a sumptuous award is in store. We’ll meander down the road to one of the most revered kitchens in all of Piedmont. We’ll treat ourselves to a mid-day vermouth, and a few courses of pasta-heavy specialties.

What’s next? One of the region’s most picturesque and biodynamic wineries, San Fereolo. After a private tasting of their award-winning vintages—widely considered the best representatives of Dogliani terroir—we’ll make our way back to the hotel just in time for sunset. The evening is yours to enjoy.

After a dreamy breakfast in our hotel, our culinary exploration takes us to the picturesque family-owned organic hazelnut farm. Here, we’ll delve into the intricate process of merging chocolate and hazelnuts, experiencing firsthand the creation of some of Italy’s most beloved flavors.

We continue with a panoramic drive towards Monforte entering the cellar of Sara Vezza’s Josetta Saffirio winery, in the heart of Langhe, to discover their wines paired with some local delicacies.

It’s now we rest, for our farewell dining experience is truly incredible. We’ll don aprons together, and at the behest of a local culinary icon, we’ll learn to roll our own pasta, slice and sauté our own truffles into a dish as traditional and refined as Piedmont itself. We’ll sit down together and toast to an incredible week of discovery and exhilaration.

Arrivederci! All beautiful things must end, and so we go our separate ways. After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll transfer to the Torino airport to catch our flights onward and home. Until next time: Ciao!