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 quad bike excursion in the Monferrato hills departing from Conzano will allow you to experience an adventure driving a quad bike in an area considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will be able to choose between two tours:

Quad Tour

The excursion is suitable for everyone and lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Together with an experienced guide, you will drive along a mostly unpaved route through vineyards and forests from which you can admire the area's evocative landscapes. On the way back you will pause at scenic spots to take some nice photo shoots while sitting on the Big Benches (giant benches that characterize these hills).

Quad bike tour and winery visit

Driving a quad bike you will be accompanied to discover the hills of Monferrato, driving along the dirt roads that pass through the vineyards and reveal the most striking landscapes. Along the way you will see where the typical products of Monferrato's wine and farming culture come from, as well as reach the most representative historical and artistic sites, including medieval castles, ancient quarries, country churches and open-air museums.
Halfway through the excursion there will be a stop at an authentic winery where you will be able to exclusively visit an Infernot, a cellar carved by hand into the cantonment stone, considered a Unesco World Heritage Site (You can add on the spot a tasting of typical products accompanied by the winery's wines).

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.

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.

For the vineyard dinner experience in Oltrepò Pavese, you will be welcomed into the vineyards to have a tasty dinner, taking advantage of the coolness of the Versa Valley hills.

The menu includes:

•    Appetizer with local cured meats and vegetables from the garden accompanied by a sparkling wine.
•    First course of pasta or rice with seasonal ingredients paired with a still white or sparkling rosé.
•    Second meat or vegetarian dish paired with a still red wine.
•    Dessert of your choice

What are you waiting for to book this magnificent experience in Lombardy?

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

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.

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.

A tour of the Marrone winery will introduce you to the history of wine production at one of the most historic wineries in the Langhe, including the well-known Barolo.

The activity begins with a guided tour of the main rooms where the wine production process takes place. Afterwards, you will have the posssibility to taste selected wines from the area, along with bread and breadsticks.

Classic (1 hour)

Guided tour of the winery followed by a tasting of 5 wines of your choice from the winery's most representative production, including the famous Barolo.

Top (1 hour)

Guided tour of the winery followed by a tasting of 4 "top of the line" wines representative of the winery's production. In particular, the tasting includes:

•     Langhe doc "Servaj"
•     Barolo docg, the most classic among Barolos
•     Barolo docg "Pichemej" (Pichemej, from the dialect "more than better")
•     Barolo docg "Bussia"

Tastings are accompanied by bread and breadsticks. Upon request, a charcuterie or cheese board can be added for an additional charge.

A sweatshirt is recommended for visiting the winery.

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.

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.

Wine tasting in the Roero, to the left of the Tanaro River, north of Alba, is a unique experience. It is a tour of Piedmont consisting of a guided tour of the winery with the opportunity to take one of three proposed tastings.

Classic Tasting - 5 wines:

•    Rive Gauche Sparkling Wine Met. Charmat
•    Roero Arneis Docg
•    Barbera D'Alba Doc
•    Roero Docg Renesium (Wine from overripe grapes).

The tasting is accompanied by artisanal breadsticks and hazelnuts.

Roero Tasting - 6 wines:

•    2 Cru Roero Arneis
•    Langhe White
•    Barbera D'Alba Superiore Doc
•    Roero Riserva Docg
•    Langhe Rosso

The wine tasting is accompanied by artisanal breadsticks and hazelnuts.

Gran Cru: Old and New Vintages compared - 6 wines

•    1 Roero Riserva Current vintage
•    5 Roero Riserva old vintages selected by Malvirà

Or

•    1 Barolo Boiolo current vintage
•    4 Barolo Boiolo old vintages selected by Malvirà

Or

•    1 Roero Arneis current vintage
•    5 Roero Arneis old vintages selected by Malvirà

The wine tasting is accompanied by a cutting board.