Northern Italy 2027
Discover one of Italy’s most defining wine regions, Piedmont, through the people, flavors, and landscapes that shape it.
APRIL 29—MAY 6, 2027
8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS
UP TO 10 GUESTS
Overview
Join Elena for eight days in Piedmont—one of Italy's northernmost wine regions. Nestled at the foot of the Italian Alps, the Piedmont region is home to some of the most iconic wines in Italy. We will go beyond the label and discover what makes these wines special by visiting with growers and makers, trekking through vineyards, and sharing meals that come from local, seasonal ingredients. The idea is for you to leave the trip feeling more curious, connected, and inspired by the world of wine.
What to Expect
This small group trip is designed to feel like you are immersed in Italian culture. Each day will start with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a wine-centered adventure, a leisurely shared meal with local food and wine, and time to relax and unwind.
Dates
April 29-May 6, 2027
Highlights
Begin in Turin with aperitivo in the historic center, a glass of local wine, and mingle with the members of our group.
Visit a grower in Carema, where Nebbiolo is farmed at the edge of the Alps, far from the Barolo hills most people picture.
Blend your own vermouth with a local expert in Turin, the city where it was born. Learn why the city built its aperitivo habit around it and you’ll take your own bottle home.
Descend into the underground cellar of Rivetto, Barolo’s first biodynamic estate, and taste their wines while learning about their centuries-old history and farming practices.
Meet winemakers in La Morra and Serralunga d’Alba chosen for their intentionality in the vineyard and cellar. Taste the difference between two villages a few miles apart.
Forage with a local guide for ingredients and then spend an afternoon cooking a traditional Piedmontese lunch.
Taste your way through the region at the table. Lunches and dinners run several courses with wines chosen to show how Piedmont’s food and wine belong together.
A few surprises!
YOUR HOST
Hi, I’m Elena.
Four years ago, I went all in on the wine industry. Working in cellars, tasting rooms, and vineyards and traveling to wine regions around the world.
Wine is a bridge that connects people—to the land, across cultures, language barriers, and dinner tables.
I find myself returning to one place again and again, Italy. The slower pace, the culture built around hospitality, and the deep connection between place and wine continues to draw me back.
I’m looking forward to returning this spring to one of my favorite regions of Italy, Piedmont, and inviting you to experience it with me. We’ll visit independent winemakers, stay at family-run hotels, and share meals at the local restaurants I’ve discovered on my travels. I can’t wait to introduce you to some of my favorite places and watch you fall in love with them too.
Itinerary
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Our week begins in Turin, the elegant capital of Piedmont. Arrive, settle into the hotel, and take the evening to explore the city on your own or simply rest after your travels.
In the evening, we’ll gather for aperitivo in the hotel bar. I’ll introduce you to the week ahead and to the people you’ll be sharing it with.
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This morning we head north into Alto Piemonte, one of Italy’s smallest and least-known wine regions. Here, Nebbiolo grows on steep terraces beneath the Alps, producing wines that feel distinctly different from those farther south in the Langhe.
At Cantina Carema, we’ll spend the morning with the grower, walking through the vineyards and tasting through the wines while learning about this unique corner of Piedmont.
We’ll stop for lunch in the small town of Ivrea before returning to Turin in the late afternoon. The rest of the evening is yours: take a walk along Via Po, find a café, or enjoy a quiet night in the city.
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Today we experience Turin through one of its most iconic traditions: vermouth.
We’ll begin with a private, hands-on vermouth experience led by Fulvio Piccinino, one of the foremost authorities on vermouth. Rather than simply tasting, we’ll explore the ingredients that give vermouth its character, smelling, tasting, and touching the herbs, spices, and botanicals used in its production.
Then you’ll get to make some of your own. Starting with a small jar of wine, you’ll create your own vermouth to take home in a bottle from the experience.
From there, we’ll sit down for a long lunch at Rosso Rubino. We will explore lesser known wines from the region paired with a seasonal meal.
The evening is intentionally unstructured, giving you time to wander Turin at your own pace, stop for a coffee or another glass of wine, or visit a museum!
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After breakfast, we leave Turin behind and head south into the Langhe, the heart of Piedmont’s most famous wine country.
Our first stop is a winery just outside La Morra, where we’ll tour the cellar and taste with the people behind the wines. From there, we’ll check into Corte Gondina, our home for the next three nights.
After arrival, you’ll have time to settle into our new home base. Take a swim, browse the shops and streets of La Morra, or read by the pool, or take a nap before dinner.
That evening, we’ll walk to Locanda Fontanazza for dinner overlooking the vineyards. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the world and I cannot wait to share it with you!
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Today we spend time looking at Piedmont from a different perspective: through the food growing around us.
We’ll begin the morning foraging with our local guide, Francesca, learning about the seasonal ingredients and plants that have long been part of the local landscape. From there, we’ll head to Assiolo Relais in Dogliani for a wine tasting and cooking class.
The ingredients we gather in the morning will help shape what we cook together in the afternoon.
At night, we will enjoy dinner as a group back at the hotel.
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Today we head into the vineyards around Serralunga d’Alba for a closer look at how wine and land come together.
At Rivetto, we’ll taste through the wines, tour the cellar, and walk the vineyards while learning about their approach to biodiversity and working with the land.
We’ll continue to Schiavenza for a leisurely outdoor lunch with wine before spending some time exploring the town of Serralunga.
By late afternoon, we’ll return to La Morra. The evening is yours to enjoy slowly: a swim, a walk through the village, or dinner wherever catches your attention.
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After breakfast, we leave the Langhe and make our way to Milan.
The pace shifts as we trade vineyard roads for the city, but there’s no need to fill the day with plans. Once we arrive and settle into the hotel, you’ll have time to explore Milan on your own.
That evening, we’ll come together one last time for a farewell dinner. We’ll raise a glass, share a few favorite moments, and look back on the places, wines, meals, and people that made the week what it was.
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From the hotel in Milan, you’ll be responsible for your journey home or onward to the next destination.
All-Inclusive Pricing
Everything you need for an unforgettable week in Piedmont
$5,700
per person, double occupancy
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
+$1,150
DEPOSIT TO RESERVE
$1,700
30%, non-refundable, due upon booking
FINAL PAYMENT DUE
April 7, 2027
FAQ’s
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Click the “Join the Waitlist” button to secure your spot. Shortly after, you’ll receive and email from me with further instructions on how to make your deposit and confirm your reservation. If you don’t receive and email within 24 hours, please check your spam folder or “Promotions” tab. Spots are reserved on a first come, first serve bases. Credit cards are accepted with no additional fees.
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April 29-May 6, 2027.
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This trip is designed for wine lovers, foodies, and travelers looking to experience a different side of Italy. No wine expertise is required, just an appreciation for good company, beautiful places, and authentic experiences. If you value quality over quantity and prefer discovering local favorites over tourist hotspots, you’ll feel right at home.
The itinerary is also physically active, with walking and standing for extended periods, both indoors and outdoors, rain or shine. Guests should be comfortable walking independently, navigating uneven terrain and steps, and managing their own luggage.
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This trip is limited to just 10 guests.
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Seven nights of four-star accommodation, private travel for all scheduled day trips and excursions, private guiding and expert-led experiences, privileged access, tastings, and activities as outlined on the itinerary, daily meals as indicated, gratuities for tour guides and drivers, and wine with meals.
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International airfare, travel insurance, transportation to and from the trip’s start and end points, activities not included in the itinerary, hotel incidentals such as room service, laundry, and minibar, meals and beverages not included in the itinerary.
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Yes! Pricing is based on double occupancy, so solo travelers pay a single supplement of $1,150 ($6,850 total).
If you are interested in being paired with another solo traveler, please indicate so on your reservation form. Roommate matching is not guaranteed, depending on who signs up for the trip.
The group will be welcoming and all meals and activities will be shared. Strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet!
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The trip begins in Turin at Opera35 Boutique Hotel on the evening of April 29. The closest airport is Turin Airport (TRN), about 30 minutes, although seasoned travelers comfortable with navigating Italy by train may choose to fly into Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and transfer.
The trip ends in Milan at Urban Hive Hotel the morning of May 6. You are responsible for arranging your car transfer to the airport.
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A 30% deposit is due at booking and is non-refundable. Reservations must be made before January 20, 2027, when we confirm whether the trip has reached its minimum group size. You’ll be notified if the trip isn’t moving forward, and you’ll receive a refund of all payments made. An additional 35% is due by February 1, 2027, with the remaining balance due by March 1, 2027. Credit cards are accepted with no additional fees.
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Deposits are non-refundable unless the trip is cancelled by us due to not meeting the minimum headcount. Reservations must be made before January 20, 2027, when we confirm whether the trip has reached its minimum group size. You’ll be notified if the trip isn’t moving forward, and you’ll receive a refund of all payments made. The subsequent payments are also non-refundable, which is why we strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance.
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Yes. Travel insurance is strongly recommended and should include trip interruption and cancellation, baggage, medical expenses, evacuation, repatriation, and other travel-related losses or delays. We recommend insuring the full cost of the trip shortly after your initial payment. Guests are responsible for choosing the policy that best fits their needs.
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All accommodations are four-star hotels with your own private room and bathroom.
Turin: Opera35 Boutique Hotel
La Morra: Corte Gondina Boutique Hotel
Milan: Urban Hive Milano
Please remember all hotel rooms are not created equal. Your room might be smaller, larger, or different from the other guests’ rooms.
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The itinerary balances thoughtfully planned group activities with free time each day. In every town we visit, you’ll have time to wander, browse local shops, settle into a café, or linger over a glass of wine and take it all in. Elena will provide curated recommendations prior to departure for you to consider during your free time.
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On the ‘Reserve Your Spot’ form, you’ll see a spot to let us know any diet needs you have and we will absolutely do our best to meet those at all meals. If you have serious dietary restrictions, please email before registering with your specific needs so I can assess if this is the right trip for you.