Piedmont with Sarah Sutel Looper

Welcome to Torino! We begin the only way we know how—immersing ourselves into the electric buzz of this lively and ancient city. With Sarah leading the way, we’ll traverse spacious boulevards and cobblestone alleys into the soulful center of Torino, where the architecture alone contains 2,000 years of storied history. As a local expert points out the myriad cultures that have left their mark on the city, we’ll pass by the Royal Palace, the Church of San Lorenzo, and finally, a haven for traveling writers and dreamers, the Palazzo Carignano.

Our stroll through history will lead us to one of the city’s most iconic coffeehouses: Al Bicerin Cafe. Women-owned-and-operated for centuries, the wood-paneled cafe is a Turinese institution, an elegant symphony of marble-top counters and glass candy jars stacked rows deep. Inside, we’ll sample exquisite pastries, snack on seasonal delicacies, and sip on one of the city’s proudest inventions: a steaming Bicerin made of espresso, rich drinking chocolate, and fresh, frothy milk.

Energized by our decadent merenda, we’re off next to an elegant welcome dinner. In quintessential Torino fashion, we’ll wander into one of the city’s most iconic kitchens for an evening of hyperlocal specialities expertly paired by Sarah with some of the region’s premier sparkling wines. As we savor seasonal antipasti and delicate Moscatos, we’ll raise our glasses in toast to the beautiful road ahead.

Buoyed by a luxurious dose of caffè from Mara dei Boschi, this morning we’ll wind our way through Torino’s famed cafes and mom-and-pop pasticcerias, tasting artisanal gelato, melt-in-your-mouth chocolates, and hazelnut-crusted confections as we go. It’s a decadent indulgence of edible art, and Sarah—a former pastry chef and sweets enthusiast—is the ultimate guide. 

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 one of Sarah’s favorite varietals—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: a traditional trattoria to savor the more casual side of Piedmont. After that, it’s back to the hotel for an evening nightcap with Sarah to debrief the day’s adventures.

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

Soon we’ll turn to Sarah, as brilliant cheese requires brilliant wine. On a family estate just down the road in Monferrato, we’ll visit Cascina Roera for an immersive vineyard visit. As we’ll quickly find out, the Cascina isn’t just any winery. The small-batch operation preaches minimal interference in the hilltop vineyards. Later, with the help of Sarah’s sixth sense for Nebbiolo and Barbera, we’ll tease out the nuances of the family’s best vintages, then sit down for lunch with the winemakers themselves to learn more about their artisanal approach. 

After bidding adieu to our winery hosts, we’ll settle in at our new hotel to rest and relax. Dinner tonight is on your own. 

We begin the day with hazelnuts. At Papa dei Boschi, an organic hazelnut farm in the heart of Alta Langa, we’ll sample the region’s most prized nocciolas, then learn how to elevate these nuts with just the right type of chocolate.

Next, the storied vineyards of Monforte d’Alba await. Our destination? Josetta Saffirio, a family-owned winery with an award-winning portfolio of sustainably produced Barolo, Dolcetto, and Barbera d’Alba. Today, the estate is run by Sara Vezza, a trailblazer in organic winemaking and our guide to a full flight of the family’s top vintages, all exquisitely matched with a regional spread of handcrafted salumi, salty Raschera cheese, and classic ravioli del plin. 

It’s a meal so dreamy we’ll practically float on to our next destination: Alba, the undisputed capital of truffles and hazelnuts (Ferrero is even headquartered in the heart of its downtown!). Surrounded by specialty shops and elegant osterias, we’ll stroll the pedestrian zone and take in the rich splendor of the architecture, not to mention the thriving art scene.

What’s for dinner? A lively cooking class in nearby Bra, a storybook town that just so happens to be the birthplace of the Slow Food Movement. White truffles, organic olive oil, and hyperlocal produce are ours to play with as we craft a spread that’s the pinnacle of Langhe’s best.

This morning we step outside our hotel and explore the Roman amphitheaters and temples next door, then move on to the University of Pollenzo for a tour of its historic campus before descending into their coveted Wine Bank, which features more than 100,000 bottles of Italy’s most celebrated wines.

Then, 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. 

As a sumptuous award for our morning adventures, we’re feasting at one of the most revered kitchens in all of Piedmont: Chef Marco Battaglino’s Osteria Battaglino. There, we’ll treat ourselves to an unforgettable spread of local cheeses, handmade pastas, tender meats, and bright, hyperlocal wines expertly picked by Sarah. 

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 picturesque hotel, we’re heading to the nearby village of Barbaresco for a masterclass in the region’s namesake wine. Awaiting us there are Milva and Renato Fennochio, renowned winegrowers with a diverse portfolio of award-winning vintages. After a tour of their vineyards and cellar, we’ll sit down together for an exclusive tasting of their organic Barbarescos.

For lunch, we’re going off the beaten path to Reppublica di Perno. A exquisite restaurant disguised as a casual bistro, we’ll have a feast rooted in the very fabric of Piedmont tradition. Later, we’ll have time to digest with a walk through the storybook village of Barolo before Sarah leads us deep into terroir. We’ll tour the vineyards of a local estate, then sample their award-winning portfolio of young wines as an aperitivo to a farewell dining experience that is truly incredible. 

Over a bounty of artisanal flavors and regional specialties in La Morra, we’ll share the memories we’ll never forget and raise our glasses in 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!