What to do in Monferrato: the 10 best experiences

The tasting and visit to the Infernot wineries in Monferrato takes place in Cella Monte, which joined the Borghi più Belli d’Italia since 2018 and includes: a visit to the historic winery and infernot, followed by a tasting of 4 wines.

For those who like it, you can add a small board with cold cuts, cheeses, bruschettine.

The infernot are underground caves dug by hand, which allowed the Monferrato territory to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Langhe and Roero territories in 2014.

The visit concludes with a tasting of four of the winery's wines accompanied by a small cutting board of local products and breadsticks. For the cutting board è you can request a vegetarian version.

During the tasting you will taste:

• Mariulin (Piedmont DOC Chardonnay, Sparkling Brut Martinotti Method)
• Dedalo (Monferrato DOC White from Arneis grapes)
• Solista (Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese DOC)
• Carisa (Piedmont DOC Barbera)

For the visit of the wineries in Monferrato we recommend clothing appropriate for the low temperatures and high humidity; present in the premises.

Horseback riding among the Langhe vineyards is ideal for those who love hilly views and vineyards. The trip is scheduled to start from San Marzano Oliveto. The excursion crosses the hills of Monferrato and proceeds mostly on dirt trails, beautiful to ride on horseback.

The stable is close (less than an hour's drive) to Asti, Alessandria and is just over an hour from Cuneo and Turin.

Group horseback riding is ideal for friends or even families with children; in fact, from age 8 and up, you can ride the pony. The age of the child should be communicated by phone to the guide once the confirmation of the reservation request has been received.

Walk with aperitif:
From San Marzano Oliveto, in the province of Asti, you will stroll through scenic vineyards and breathtaking landscapes, surrounded by the majestic backdrop of the Alps. There will be a chance to visit an agritourism in the area, where an aperitif will be served with two glasses of wine per person and mixed platters of cured meats and cold cuts.

Recommended attire for horseback riding tours includes closed shoes and long pants.

The horseback ride is suitable for beginners and first-time riders, professional equestrian guides will accompany you on this wonderful adventure.

The ride lasts about 2 hours and ends with the return to the riding stables.

The winery tour with tasting in the hills of Monferrato will allow you to discover the typical products of the Piedmont hills in Montemagno.

The activity begins with a walk through the farm's vineyards followed by a guided tour of the winery where the wine production process will be explained to you. At the end you can choose between 2 tastings.

Classic Tour

Includes tasting of 5 locally produced wines accompanied by a typical charcuterie and cheese board.

Tasting Ruchè

The activity includes a tasting that will allow you to discover a particular type of wine, Ruchè. You will be served a course of 5 wines with the addition of Ruchè grappa, all accompanied by local meats and cheeses.

In case of bad weather and inability to make the walk through the vineyards, you will be given a bottle of wine for every 2 people regardless of the selected tasting.

Gold Tasting

The experience will be fully supervised by the winery winemaker and consists of a tour of the vineyards surrounding the estate, a visit to the winemaking cellar and the underground barrique cellar, and a tasting of 5 home-made wines accompanied by a platter of local cured meats and cheeses.

In case of bad weather, instead of the vineyard tour, a 10% discount will be applied on any wine purchase.

The winery tour with tasting at Castello di Razzano offers an engaging experience for wine lovers and those who wish to learn about the local wine culture. Located in the charming Castello di Razzano, the museum offers a fascinating journey through the history and production of wine in the region and Monferrato.

After visiting the museum, you will have the opportunity to explore the aging cellars of Razzano Castle. Wine tasting is a highlight of the visit. Each person will have the opportunity to taste three different wines, representative of Castello di Razzano's production. The wine selection could include both white and red wines, depending on your preferences or specialties of the region. To accompany the tasting, you will be served a platter of typical local cured meats and cheeses, which pair perfectly with the wines.

Positioned in one of the most evocative corners of Monferrato and surrounded by an estate of great scenic beauty, Castello di Razzano is the ideal reference point for those who wish to enjoy eno-gastronomic experiences of the area.

At 7:00 pm there will be a welcome drink with wines from the winery.

Dinner will be served around 8:00 pm and the menu consists of:

• Monferrina-style raw meat
• Traditional veal tonnato
• Stuffed bell pepper
• Agnolotti with roasted gravy
• "La Graziosa" bubbly risotto
• Braised beef with barbera with seasonal side dish

All accompanied by locally produced wines.

Horseback riding in Monferrato outside Casale Monferrato will allow you to immerse yourself in nature and spend a relaxing day on horseback. The riding is English style and the saddles are of high quality to provide maximum comfort throughout the horseback ride.

Before starting with the excursion, there will be a 30-minute lesson to familiarize you with the horse.

The excursion will start from the stables will proceed to the picturesque hills of Piedmont where you can enjoy the breathtaking views that the entire Monferrato area has to offer.

The duration of the trail is about an hour in which you will be accompanied by an experienced guide who will help and guide you for the duration of the trail.

The walk is also suitable for beginners. You must be at least 2 people and you can participate up to 4 and you must be at least 18 years old. The maximum weight is 85kg.

Fitted long pants and closed shoes are required for the experience.

The Casa Garello farmhouse in Salice Terme, in the Oltrepò Pavese region, offers a lunch with wine tasting and tour of the cellars in a picturesque hillside setting. Casa Garello is located in an area traditionally devoted to wine growing. Everything that is brought to the table comes from the raw materials from the garden and vineyards.

Menù full-lunch tasting:

• 4 wines for tasting
• Tagliere of cold cuts and cheeses and two hot appetizers
• Traditional Oltrepò
• Agnolotti pasta
• Pinot roast with baked potatoes
• House dessert
• Water
• Caffè

Menù tasting Lunch:

• 4 wines for tasting
• Cured meats and cheeses platter and two hot appetizers
• House dessert
• Water
• Caffè

Any food allergies or intolerances can be communicated to the facility following booking.

The duration of the above experience è to be considered approximate.

The winery visit in Santa Maria della Versa will allow you to discover the wines that characterize the Oltrepò Pavese area. You will have a choice of two different experiences.

Tour with tasting

The activity starts with a walk through the vineyard, then you will continue with a guided tour of the winemaking cellar and the Metodo Classico aging room where they will explain details about the products.

To conclude the experience, you will have the opportunity to have a tasting of 4 wines represented by the winery (including organic) accompanied by small samples (vegetable flan, cheese and tart).

Tour with brunch

For a more complete gastronomic experience, at the end of the winery tour it is possible to have the tasting of the 4 wines accompanied by a brunch consisting of:

• Mixed appetizers.
• Risotto.
• Dessert.

Allergies, intolerances or special dietary needs should be communicated to the facility in advance.

During the Oltrepò Pavese winery tour and wine tasting, you will have the choice of three different experiences.

The first tour of the vineyards and vines lasts 1h30 and includes the tasting of 4 glasses.

The second option lasts 2h, and is recommended for lovers of the Pinot Noir grape variety.

The last type of experience you can choose instead includes a tour of both the vineyards and the winery, and ends with wine tasting.

Horseback riding along the Adda River, lasting one to two hours, through the surrounding woods is an experience not to be missed.

The horseback rides are also suitable for beginners, as they consist of comfortable and wide paths located within the Adda Park.

Thanks to this ride you will have the opportunity to explore the nature that characterizes these places, and to let the horses water within the river.

During the horseback ride, departing from Rivolta d'Adda, you will be accompanied by two equestrian guides, who will lead you for the duration of the excursion.

The picnic in the vineyard with tasting in the Oltrepò Pavese is a unique opportunity to have lunch with friends in the hills of Lombardy and to learn about the history of the production of the best-known local wines.

The activity begins with a guided tour of the farm, overlooking the hills, and its wineries and then proceeds to its vineyards where the picnic will begin. The picnic includes:

• Sandwich with roast beef, grana cheese and salad
• Sandwich with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and arugula
• Tart with fruit jam
• Water

The picnic is accompanied by a tasting of 4 local wines, including a Provincia di Pavia IGT Pinot Noir "Columban".

The experience has a total duration of about 3 hours and is suitable for everyone. It is a fun and romantic experience to enjoy with friends in the Oltrepò Pavese.

During the tasting and vineyard walk in Oltrepò Pavese you will discover the Versa Valley in the province of Pavia as you stroll through the vineyards of a local agritourism farm, tasting their renowned wines and local products, discovering their cellars.

You will also have the opportunity to select a lunch in the vineyard..

The tasting includes:

• Martinotti Method Brut sparkling wine or "Le Stelle" Classic Method 36 months - paired with a cold or warm vegetable appetizer.
• 347 M.S.L.M. Still White from different vintages - with samples of local artisan cheeses.
• Novecento Bonarda frizzante or 347 M.S.L.M. Rosso fermo - paired with traditional Oltrepò Pavese cured meats.

Depending on the season, some hot or cold dishes typical of the region will be available.

The Vineyard Wine Tasting Lunch includes:

• Martinotti Brut Method sparkling wine or "Le Stelle" Classic Method sparkling wine - paired with artisanal cured meats from the region and vegetables from the garden
• 47 M.S.L.M. Still White (of the vintage) or sparkling Rosé - Paired with a pasta or rice dish
• 347 M.S.L.M. Still red or sparkling Novecento Bonarda - Paired with a meat or vegetarian main course
• Dessert of your choice

The visit to the winery will introduce you to the history of wine production of one of the most historic wineries in the Langhe region and immerse you in the picturesque Piedmont region near Alba and Barolo. Following the tour of the winery and the estate vineyards, you can choose from a variety of menù lunch offered by the winery.

You can add a more or less complete wine tasting to the menù or opt for a bottle of wine of your choice.

The experience lasts from 2 to 3 hours and is suitable for everyone. Minors are not allowed to taste. Upon request, you can add a charcuterie or cheese board to further enrich your dining experience, for an additional charge.

Menù Gluttonous (2 hours 30 minutes)

Menù includes an assortment of cold and hot appetizers from our country tradition, a homemade entrée of your choice, and a delicious dessert to end the experience.

Menù Delicious (3 hours)

Menù includes cold and hot traditional country hors d`oeuvres, followed by a homemade first course of your choice, a second course and dessert to end the experience.

For children è there is a menuù which includes pasta, schnitzel and potatoes and a final dessert, so they too can enjoy this fun experience.

È sweatshirt is recommended for the winery tour.

This winery tour with tasting in Castagnito, in the heart of Roero, will immerse you in the history of the production of Piedmont's best-known wines. You will have the opportunity to taste 4 or 6 wines, depending on the option you choose, paired with a platter of local cured meats and cheeses.

Once you are welcomed, you will be escorted to the hills near the vineyards to admire the views of the surrounding hills, and you will be offered water and seasonal zero-mile fruit.

After a few minutes you will be escorted to the winery, where you will learn about all the stages of production and aging of the most historic wines of the Roera tradition. The explanation is followed by a tasting of local wines, paired with a platter of local cured meats and cheeses, a glass of Passito and a hazelnut dessert.

Roero and Beyond (2 hours 30 minutes)

The tasting includes 6 wines:

• Roero Arneis DOCG
• Roero Arneis DOCG Cortine
• Langhe Dolcetto DOC
• Langhe Nebbiolo DOC
• Roero DOCG
• Barbera d'Alba DOC

The tasting is paired with a platter of local cured meats and cheeses, a glass of Passito and a hazelnut dessert.

Roero 100% (2 hours)

The tasting includes 4 wines:

• Roero Arneis DOCG
• Langhe Nebbiolo DOC
• Roero DOCG
• Barbera d'Alba DOC

The tasting is paired with a platter of local cured meats and cheeses, a glass of Passito and a hazelnut dessert.

The experience is suitable for everyone, and during spring and summer can be offered outdoors.

Horseback riding among the Langhe vineyards is ideal for those who love hilly views and vineyards. The trip is scheduled to start from San Marzano Oliveto. The excursion crosses the hills of Monferrato and proceeds mostly on dirt trails, beautiful to ride on horseback.

The stable is close (less than an hour's drive) to Asti, Alessandria and is just over an hour from Cuneo and Turin.

Group horseback riding is ideal for friends or even families with children; in fact, from age 8 and up, you can ride the pony. The age of the child should be communicated by phone to the guide once the confirmation of the reservation request has been received.

Walk with aperitif:
From San Marzano Oliveto, in the province of Asti, you will stroll through scenic vineyards and breathtaking landscapes, surrounded by the majestic backdrop of the Alps. There will be a chance to visit an agritourism in the area, where an aperitif will be served with two glasses of wine per person and mixed platters of cured meats and cold cuts.

Recommended attire for horseback riding tours includes closed shoes and long pants.

The horseback ride is suitable for beginners and first-time riders, professional equestrian guides will accompany you on this wonderful adventure.

The ride lasts about 2 hours and ends with the return to the riding stables.

The quad bike ride and wine tasting in the Langhe from Alba is a delightful and fascinating experience that combines the quad bike ride with a fantastic wine tasting.

This quad bike excursion in the Langhe can be developed in two fantastic ways:

Tour in the Langhe and wine tasting

During the quad bike excursion in the Langhe you will discover the breathtaking landscapes of the Unesco World Heritage territories by driving your quad bike. You will have the opportunity to admire up close vineyards, hazelnut groves and the particularities of this territory.

When you return from the quad bike experience, you will be offered a tasting of 6 100% organic wines in a certified winery just a short walk from Grinzane Cavour Castle.

Aperitour in the vineyard and wine tasting

During this half-day tour you will have the opportunity to ride an ATV as a couple, with friends or with family on scenic routes through the heart of the Langhe and Barolo hills.

The route includes a stop among the vineyards, during which you can enjoy an aperitif with traditional Piedmont flavors. On the way back, a delicious tasting of Arneis, Orange Wine, Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Barolo will await you, directly from a certified producer of 100% organic wines.

For each quad bike, a maximum of two participants, one driver and one passenger, can board. 

In case of allergies or dietary needs è you must contact the facility directly.

The winery tour with tasting on the Cannubi hill will allow you to discover the typical wines of the Piedmont hills, including Barolo.

The activity begins with a guided tour of the winery where the wine production process will be explained to you. At the end you can choose between 2 tastings.

Classic tour

Includes tasting of 6 locally produced wines including 2 glasses of Barolo DOCG. The tasting è accompanied by artisanal breadsticks.

Barolo Tour

The activity includes a tasting tour that includes 7 wines. You will have the opportunity to taste 7 different Barolo DOCGs. The tasting è accompanied by artisanal breadsticks.

After the tasting is over, you can relax by walking through the farm's picturesque vineyards independently.

Visit a family winery in Roero, learn firsthand about the traditions of this farm, and enjoy a delicious lunch near Cuneo.

The experience begins with a tour of the winery and follows with lunch (if selected) and wine tasting.

You can, in addition, choose to accompany the winery visit with a fixed menu lunch includes a welcome from the kitchen, two appetizers, a first course, second course with side dish, dessert, water, coffee, bitter and cover charge.

This experience will allow you to discover the territory of Roero, in the province of Cuneo, through its wineries, wines and local dishes.