11-06-2025
Autumn In Piedmont's Langhe Hills: Fine Wines, Food And Stunning Landscapes
Rows of the colorful autumnal vineyards on the hills of Langhe in Piedmont, Italy.
The autumn harvest season is one of the best times to visit the Langhe Hills of Piedmont. Visitors can enjoy the region's bounty of fine wines and cuisine amidst breathtaking views of vineyards, rolling hills, and woodlands, swathed in vibrant shades of red, orange, gold and brown.
Located in northwestern Italy (in the southern part of the Piedmont region), the Langhe Hills are framed by the Maritime Alps and the Ligurian Apennines. Eleven small villages (communes), including the town of Barolo, are spread over this hilly area, which comprises the official Barolo DOCG wine production zone.
Nebbiolo Grapes
Located northeast of Alba, the Langhe Hills are the exclusive home to Barolo and Barbaresco, two of Italy's most prestigious red wines. The wines are named after these two tiny villages.
Both wines are made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes and are favorites among wine enthusiasts. Often described as siblings, Barolo is known as the "King," and Barbaresco as the "Queen." However, the region produces other high-quality reds and whites, including Barbera, Pinot Nero, and Chardonnay.
The Piedmont Langhe/Monferrato wine region was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 for its stunning vineyard landscapes and rich winemaking traditions. (The only other Italian wine region to achieve this status is the Conegliano and Valdobbiadene wine region, which produces Prosecco.)
Italian white truffles at the Truffle Fair in Alba, Piedmont (Italy), the most important international truffle market in the world.
The regional cuisine of Piedmont is also legendary among food lovers, perhaps only second to Emilia Romagna. The town of Alba is the epicenter of white truffles, known for its yearly International White Truffle Fair. The fair's 95th edition will be in October.
Steeped in agricultural and culinary traditions, the Langhe Hills are known for their regional pastas (tagliarini, tajarin and agnolotti), risotto, polenta, and cheeses. Meat lovers enjoy the uniquely lean, tender Fassona beef, from a breed of cattle native to the region.
The area is also famous for Piedmont IGP hazelnuts, which are valued by chefs and chocolatiers worldwide. In Turin, the nuts are used to craft gianduia (a chocolate-hazelnut confectionery). Alba is home to Nutella, the popular spread that is considered a descendant of the candy.
Mauro and Giovanni Manzone in the wine cellar
A consortium, Consorzio Di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe E Dogliani, oversees the strict procedural guidelines for its 500 members that govern the production of Barolo and Barbaresco as well as other denominations like Dolcetto di Dogliani, Barbera d'Alba and Langhe DOC.
Only vineyards located on the slopes of the hills, with the best sun exposure and an altitude between 170 and 540 meters above sea level, are allowed to produce Nebbiolo grapes for Barolo. Grape quantity is also capped to guarantee high quality.
Most wineries in this region are small, family-owned, and produce site-specific wines. Each village (commune) has distinct soil types, altitudes, exposures and microclimates.
Giovanni Manzone Winery is located in Monforte d'Alba, one of the 11 communes in the province of Cuneo. The winery's namesake inherited a house and farm from his father, Stefano, located in what is now called the Castelletto MGA (Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva), a recognized Cru (single-vineyard designation) within the Barolo DOCG.
The steep, stony ground made cultivation challenging. But through perseverance and hard work, he began to produce wine and bottled his first Barolo Ciabot del Preve in 1961. Following long-standing tradition, his Barolos were and still are aged in large oak barrels with long maceration times.
In the 70s, the family acquired another plot of land in Gramolere, now considered a Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva (MGA) or Cru within the Barolo DOCG, which has been known historically for grapes that produce wines of incredible structure.
At the end of the 1980s, Marc de Grazia, an influential American wine importer who promoted Barolo wines, recognized the quality of Manzone wines, leading to their fame worldwide. This was the start of a 23-year successful partnership with the importer.
A fifth generation of the Manzone family, Mauro and Mirella, now oversee operations of their 14.3 hectares of land. About 8.5 hectares are used to produce Rossese Bianco, Dolcetto, Barbera, and Nebbiolo wines within the Barolo appellation. The grapes are hand-harvested and the winery follows a Colderetti protocol to ensure environmental sustainability.
Manzone Famiglia
Manzone Winery welcomes visitors for guided tastings and tours of the cellar and vineyards. 'We can't compete with the marketing of large, commercial wineries,' says Mauro over a Zoom call. 'The best way to show our work is through tastings of our wines.'
The Manzone tasting room offers expansive views of the Barolo region. Mauro compares the small villages dotting the Langhe Hills to 'small jewels,' each with its own charm, characteristics, and customs. Plans are underway to renovate the farmhouse to host overnight stays.
Visitors meandering the cobblestone streets of the well-preserved medieval centers will find historic castles, churches, markets and museums (including a Barolo wine museum and a corkscrew museum). More active wine tourists can book popular e-bike tours, plan walks, or run beside the photogenic hills and vineyards.
'Wine and food show their best together,' says Mauro. The Langhe Hills do that in spades. Local trattorie, osterie and ristoranti offer food enthusiasts opportunities to savor authentic farm-to-table regional Piedmontese cuisine paired with exquisite wines.
One of the most convenient ways to explore the region is by car, allowing stops at wineries, wine shops and other attractions in the scenic villages. Unlike more trafficked wine regions, visitors appreciate the authenticity of the small hotels, agriturismi, and guest houses in the Langhe Hills.
The passionate winemakers of the Langhe Hills are warm and welcoming. They are rightly proud of their terroir, which offers tourists a perfect mix of gastronomical, historical, and cultural treasures.
Manzone Wines
The Nebbiolo grapes of this complex and balanced wine come from vineyards with the Castelletto MGA.
A traditional single-vineyard Barolo made from older grapes in the Gramolere MGA, full-bodied and well-structured with excellent aging potential
A just-released special edition Barolo from the 2009 vintage, offering depth, structure and elegance, celebrating the winery's 100th anniversary
A delicate, juicy red wine from a new vineyard planted in 2020
Barolo village road sign, Piedmont, Italy
Before visiting any winery, check its website for its offerings, opening hours, and cost. It is always prudent to make reservations in advance. These wineries are proud of their history and heritage and are happy to share their stories with visitors.
Located close to the center of the village of Barolo, this family-owned winery was established in 1972 by Aldo Vajra, who inherited parcels of land from his grandfather. The estate emphasizes sustainability and focuses on the unique characteristics of its Barolo Cru vineyards. The winery offers tastings and guided tours.
Considered one of the region's oldest wineries, Coppo cellars date back to 1892. Located in Canelli in Monferrato, the winery's tours and tastings offer valuable insights into Piedmont grape varieties, vineyard management and winemaking methods. The cellars (known as 'Underground Cathedrals') include 5000 square meters of tunnels with vaulted ceilings and natural Canelli tufa rock that are recognized as part of the Piedmont UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ceretto, based in Alba, is considered a leader in the single-vineyard Barolo movement. Known for its commitment to sustainability, it has implemented various organic and biodynamic practices in its vineyards. The winery offers private tours, Cru tastings of Barolo and Barbaresco, and vertical tastings.
Located in the village of La Morra, about 9 miles from Alba, Renato Ratti offers guided tours of the cellars, special visits, and Barolo tastings. The property rents rooms and suites in the family estate at Costigliole d'Asti in the Monferrato hills, with a restaurant and wellness area. The winery plans to open a museum in 2025.
This fifth-generation family-owned winery is located in Alba's historical center, built on the city's 2000-year-old walls. The vineyards are in multiple communes in the Barolo and Barbaresco appellations. Tours and tastings are by appointment.
Information about the Langhe Hills from the Italian Tourist Board
