A road trip in the Turin region, along the Piedmont wine route

Your journey begins in Turin, Piedmont’s imposing capital, with an ordered urban layout and broad avenues bequeathed by the House of Savoy. On Piazza Castello, the Royal Palace and Madama Palace illustrate the Baroque splendor of the city that became Italy’s automobile manufacturing hub in the 20^th century. Strolling through its elegant arcades, you reach Mole Antonelliana, a majestic dome-shaped brick tower, which is home to the National Museum of Cinema, one of the most spectacular in Europe.

Not far away, the Egyptian Museum, set up in the former Palazzo dell’Accademia delle Scienze, is also worth a visit. Covering several millennia of history, its collections are among the richest from the ancient world. In an old-school bar, let yourself be tempted by a bicerin, the famous Piedmont drink, layering coffee, chocolate and thick cream in a clear glass. It sets you up perfectly for a stroll through the Quadrilatero Romano!

Just over an hour from Turin, the village of Barolo welcomes you in an amphitheater of vines listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overlooking the horizon of rolling hills, its Falletti Castle is home to WiMu, an interactive museum devoted to wine. Here, you can discover the history of local wine varieties, the role of Barolo in Piedmont winegrowing, and its place in the Italian culinary landscape. In the narrow streets of the village, small cellars invite you for a wine tasting, an integral part of the visit. At Cantina dei Marchesi di Barolo, listen to fascinating explanations from the owner about the hills and their specific features, before raising your glass with the intense aroma of Nebbiolo. Then set off to explore the vines of Cannubi, renowned for their sun exposure and marly soil, which produce some of the most highly reputed DOCG Barolos with this quality designation.

Leave Barolo via the SP58, a balcony road that climbs up through the vineyards. You soon reach La Morra, a hilltop village that overlooks the entire landscape of the Langhe hills: from its famous viewpoint, your gaze takes in a sea of hills covered in grape varieties, dotted with hamlets and bell towers. In the center, step through the doors of San Sebastiano Church with its Baroque facade, before visiting Cappella del Barolo. Turned into a contemporary artwork by Sol LeWitt and David Tremlett, this small rural chapel explodes with color surrounded by grapevines. To finish, a night at Palas Cerequio Barolo Cru Resort continues the immersive experience, with each room devoted to a winegrowing region.

From La Morra, the SP3 road goes down to Alba through a patchwork of vines and tiny villages. Before reaching the town, stop off at Grinzane Cavour Castle, an 11^th-century fortress that was the residence of Camillo Benso, the Count of Cavour. Its rooms now house the Enoteca Regionale, which looks back over the region’s winemaking history.

A few kilometers further on, Alba comes into view with its large towers that mark the horizon. Stroll through its narrow streets among Gothic facades and painted houses, then visit the imposing San Lorenzo Cathedral in the town center. In fall, the air fills your steps with the scent of white truffle, a local treasure that attracts buyers and the curious from all over the world. For dinner, you have the choice between the excellence of Piazza Duomo, which boasts three stars in the Michelin Guide, or the more relaxed atmosphere of Locanda del Pilone, nestled in beautiful vaulted cellars.

Hit the road again along the SP3 to Barbaresco, a village overlooked by a fortified tower that still keeps a close eye on the surrounding hills. In the center, step into what was previously San Donato Church, which has now been converted into a wine shop, showcasing the grands crus with the Barbaresco DOCG label. The wine tasting allows you to compare the nuances of Nebbiolo, which is finer and more floral than in neighboring Barolo. On leaving, follow a path that goes down to the Tanaro: the river winds along a peaceful and shady walk, offering a gentle moment to catch your breath on this road trip.

The next stop takes you to Canelli along the SP51, a lovely route along a ridge crossing through the plantations. On your arrival, explore the “underground cathedrals.” Hollowed into the tuff from the 16^th century onward, these cellars stretch out over kilometers of vaulted galleries. Moscato d’Asti, a slightly sparkling white wine appreciated for its fruity aromas, matures there. Roam through vast rooms with rows of bottles, which enjoy a constant ideal temperature. The experience highlights the ingenuity of the winegrowers who have successfully turned the rock into a unique heritage.

Last but not least, you reach the hills of Astigiano, where Vezzolano Abbey is tucked away. Its facade featuring alternating stone and brick stands in the middle of grapevines. You go through the portal to enter the church, whose sculpted rood screen immediately attracts the eye. In the cloister, the well-conserved frescoes recount the monks’ life and Biblical stories. Around the abbey, the vines produce Barbera and Freisa, red grape varieties that you can sample in the neighboring cellars.

On the return journey, make a last stop at the Basilica of Superga. Perched on a wooded hill, it overlooks the plain and offers an exceptional panoramic view over the Alps. Enter this 18^th-century sanctuary, where the rulers of Savoy were laid to rest, before going back down to Turin, bringing this journey at the heart of winegrowing Piedmont to a natural end.

Excessive consumption of alcohol is harmful to health. Please drink responsibly.