For many years I was lucky to live in the beautiful, elegant northern region of Piedmont. My fiancee is Piemontese and his family come from the Le Langhe wine region. A land of softly rolling hills with alpine views on a clear day and full of vineyards (and not to mention delicious restaurants). It’s safe to say that this is a destination that has captured my heart!

Taste is a powerful sensation that has the ability to transport us to a certain time and place, so open up a bottle of Barolo (or an Arneis, Barbera or Dolcetto…!), and read my ultimate guide for exploring the Langhe region of Italy.

Where is Langhe Italy?

Just an hour south from the capital of Piedmont, Turin, you will find the UNESCO heritage listed Langhe hills. This fertile land produces some of Italy’s best wines (hello Barolo) but not only. It’s home to the world’s best white truffles from Alba as well as the best ever hazelnuts known as Tonda Gentile (there’s a reason why Nutella was born here). Le Langhe Italy is made up of small towns like La Morra, Neive, Barolo, Verduno, Serralunga, and many more as well as the provincial capital Alba. 

Why visit Langhe Piedmont

If you are a food and wine lover, then you are going to adore the Langhe region! You should definitely consider a trip to this pretty place if:

• You want to get off the beaten track (add something out of the ordinary from Rome, Florence and Venice)
• You are a wine lover (Italy’s best wine, the wine of Kings Barolo is from here)
• You love castles (the Langhe region Italy is full of hunting lodges and royal castles of the Savoia family)
• You want to experience daily Italian life in the smaller towns outside the cities
• You love food (the local cuisine is refined and delicious)
• You’re a history buff (there is so much waiting to be discovered via a guided tour)
• You’re a cyclist (the hilly region is perfect!) 

What is Langhe Wine like (and where to try it)?

Langhe must be one of the most blessed lands in the world when it comes to the soil and climate. Its most famous wine is of course Barolo which is made from Nebbiolo and must follow a long list of rules to be classified and sold as a Barolo wine (that’s why you’ll also see bottles labelled as Nebbiolo as well as separate bottles as Barolo in Piedmont). However, there are several other kinds of wines that are also produced in the Langhe DOC region including

• Langhe Arneis (white)
• Langhe Rosso (nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Pelaverga)
• Langhe Chardonnay

Some of my favorite wineries to visit for Langhe wine are Giulia Negri just outside of La Morra and Chiara Boschis in Barolo. Women-run wineries which is not the norm! Giulia Negri’s winery is particularly interesting as it’s the highest elevation that Barolo can be produced. 

Where to stay in Le Langhe

There are some beautiful accommodation options in Langhe but perhaps my favorite town to be based in is La Morra. There’s a bustling center and a gorgeous view from the main piazza that looks out over the entire wine region. Besides La Morra, I also really like to be based in pretty Monforte d’Alba. Here are my top accommodation choices:

• Arborina Relais: This hotel is just outside La Morra so you will need a car to access. It’s really luxe and I love the personal touches like the bed turndown service where they leave you a chocolate and face mask. There’s a restaurant on-site and a great breakfast offered too. Views from the top level rooms are amazing.

• Uve Rooms & Wine Bar: If you’re looking for a great hotel within the town of La Morra itself this is my top pick. Spacious, comfy rooms and you’re right in the heart of town and walking distance to restaurants and wine shops. 

• Agriturismo La Toricella: We very nearly had our wedding here (but then decided to have it in Umbria, it’s a long story!) This option is a classic Italian Piemontese farm house and a wonderful experience. It’s just outside my other favorite town of Monforte d’Alba.

• Home Sweet Langhe: Finally, many people like the idea of staying in Alba as it’s a proper town and offers the most services. If you go for this option, it’s more apartment style or B&B rather than hotels. I like the look of this guest house as it’s right in the historical center. 

How to spend a weekend in Langhe?

Day 1

The day begins with a drive that goes up, up, up the hills and a look out the window reveals fields upon fields of grapes growing with the sun shining down. We are on our way from Torino (the capital of Piedmont) to the heart of the Piedmont wine region called Le Langhe.

My boyfriend’s nonna grew up here in a place called La Morra which sits atop a large hill with a spectacular view out at the Alps and vineyards of Barolo below. We park the car in the quiet town, and stroll up to the main piazza in town.

We come out to a huge open space, with a big school to the right (where said Nonna attended) and a sweeping view of the vineyards below. It is truly breathtaking and my boyfriend & I talk about quitting our jobs, becoming vineyard owners and retiring in La Morra just to see this view every day…One can dream!

After a photo stop at this panoramic spot, we head back down into town to look around. I spot a deliciously enticing shop known as ‘Con Gusto’, or in English- ‘With Taste’, and we pop inside for a foodie’s shop. We are treated to a taste of award-winning Gianduja, similar to Nutella but a million miles apart. It’s a very hazelnuty chocolate spread that goes well on bread, pancakes, bananas, cakes or simply on a spoon straight into your mouth. We’ll take one!

Next up, I spot some truffle salt and oil (Piedmont is famed for it’s black and white truffles) and I think of roasted potatoes sprinkled with the salt and fragrant oil on pasta or a fresh tomato salad. Finally, a jar of apricot jam is added to our bounty – made by a local farm- it will be a welcome addition to our summer breakfasts.

All that shopping has made us hungry, so we wander over to our lunchtime reservation at Osteria More e Macine. Recommended by a friend, it is an unassuming restaurant with an impressive wine list that serves Piemontese classics.

We settle down under the shades outside and feast on Battuta di Fassona, Tajarin pasta con ragu and roast anatra (duck breasts) with home-grown zucchini and roasted potatoes. Fassona is a particular high quality breed of cow from Piedmont and is eaten raw- minced up with a sprinkle of salt and good-quality olive oil that we smear onto pieces of still-warm, home-made focaccia from the kitchen. If you want to try making it for yourself at home, give it a whirl with my recipe here.

Tajarin is another Piedmont classic, made with extra egg yolks, this rich pasta dough is made into a long pasta ribbon that is similar to tagliatelle in shape but thinner. It is served with a delicious meaty, wine-infused ragu, that is too irresistible to refuse. With full bellies, we are ready for our wine tasting!

Spend your afternoon visiting at least one winery in the region in La Morra or nearby Barolo! In the evening, head to Verduno for another tasty dinner.

Day 2

Start your morning with a truffle hunt! It’s one of the quintessential activities to do in the region and the truffles are seriously delicious! Afterwards, head to Alba for a stroll, guided tour and a well-deserved lunch. 

In the afternoon, visit a winery in Monforte d’Alba like Principiano Ferdinando (organic) and stop in at pretty Neive – one of the borghi piu belli d’Italia (most beautiful villages). 

Drive back through La Morra with two final stops- to purchase more wine and the necessary pausa for caffe. I recommend stocking up at Cantina Comunale di La Morra, for a wide range of wines from Le Langhe without breaking the bank & exemplary recommendations from the staff. We take a final look out at the vineyards from one of the many other strategic hilltop crannies and with a smile, depart back through the rolling vineyards towards Torino and home. 

The Best Wine Tours in Langhe

Given Langhe is so about the wine, I can’t recommend joining a wine tour enough! No one wants to be the designated driver and you don’t want to be driving in a foreign country, unsure of your surroundings having had a glass of wine and being required to drive back to Turin either. The best thing to do is join a day tour, sit back and relax as you sip on some of the country’s very best wines! 

• Barolo and Barbaresco Tour from Alba: Visit 3 renowned wineries in the wine region of Alba, including a family-owned cellar, and learn all about local wine-making traditions.

• Half Day Private Tour from Alba: Depart from Alba and drive along the most scenic wine routes around the Barolo wine region with an expert wine guide. Visit a boutique wine cellar and enjoy a tasting of 4 to 5 premium wines.

• Full Day Tour from Turin: Enjoy a relaxing, private car service from your accomodation in Turin and take a day-tour through the UNESCO listed Langhe Region. Taste Barolo wines that are famously produced in the area, enjoy a spot of lunch and witness spectacular views.

Where to eat in the Langhe region?

There are so many wonderful restaurants to eat at in this wine region of Piedmont and of course I save my best recommendations for my tours. Recommended by a friend, I always love the simple but tasty More e Macine in La Morra, an unassuming restaurant with an impressive wine list that serves Piemontese classics.

That said, I also enjoy:

• Osteria More e Macine in La Morra
• Shop for wine at Cantina Comunale di La Morra
• Shop for Piemontese delicacies & homewares at Con Gusto
• L’Aromatorio in Neive

Still wondering if Turin is worth visiting? Have a read of how to visit Turin Piedmont in 48 hours and my guide on things to do in Turin in 2024. Looking for accommodation? Have a read of my ultimate guide to Turin hotels.