What to do in Oltrepò Pavese: the 10 best activities

The tasting and visit to the Infernot cellars in Monferrato takes place in Cella Monte, which joined the Borghi più Belli d'Italia (Italy's Most Beautiful Villages) in 2018 and includes: a visit to the historic winery and the infernot, followed by a tasting of four wines and a small platter of cured meats, cheeses and bruschetta.

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 wines produced by the winery accompanied by a small cutting board of local products and breadsticks. For the cutting board you can request a vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free version.

During the tasting you will taste:

•    Mariulin (Piedmont DOC Chardonnay, Sparkling Brut Martinotti Method)
•    Dedalo (Monferrato DOC Bianco from Arneis grapes)
•    Solista (Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese DOC)
•    Carisa (Piedmont DOC Barbera)

For visiting wineries in Monferrato, we recommend clothing appropriate for the low temperatures and high humidity present on the premises. For minors or those who do not taste, the rate includes ONLY:

•    1 non-alcoholic beverage (soft drink, juice)
•    1 small cutting board

Horseback riding in the Monferrato hills will take you to discover the typical fauna and flora of the Piedmont hills.

The 1-hour walk is suitable for everyone, even those who are getting on a horse for the first time.

The minimum age is 6 years old. Children ages 6 to 14 will be accompanied by a guide who will walk with them the whole way.

At the end of both walks you will have the opportunity to enjoy a typical local lunch (if selected), consisting of 3 appetizers, first course, second course and dessert. Extra courses and drinks are excluded.

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 horseback riders; professional equestrian guides will accompany you on this wonderful adventure.

The experience cannot be done by pregnant women.

In case of motor difficulties please notify the facility once your reservation is confirmed

The walk lasts about 2 hours and ends with the return to the riding school.

The maximum weight limit for users is 100 kg .

If there are any delays please notify us. If the delay lasts longer than 15 minutes, the activity will not be guaranteed and the activity will no longer be refundable.

The picnic in the vineyard near Asti is a perfect experience for families or couples who want to spend a relaxing time in the picturesque hills of Piedmont.

The experience begins with a visit to the winery and a description of the main processing operations.

Following that, you will be given your picnic basket and you will be directed to the equipped areas where you can taste the products selected for you.

The basket contains:

•    a sampling of local cured meats and cheeses accompanied by jams, honey and mustards
•    bread
•    grissini
•    seasonal products
•    amaretti from Mombaruzzo
•    fresh fruit
•    1 bottle of wine every 2 people
•    water

In case of food allergies and intolerances you can contact the facility after booking.

This experience allows you to visit the farm and taste 3 or 5 wines while fully immersing yourself in the Monferrato territory.

The tasting is preceded by a visit to the winery and vineyards.

Wines are carefully selected to best represent the characteristics of the territory in which they are produced. But there is possibility of selection by the customer.

You will be able to choose between two options:

•    Tasting of 3 wines
•    Tasting of 5 wines

Winery tour with tasting in the Monferrato hills will allow you to discover the typical products of the Piedmont hills in Montemagno.

Top Experience Tour

Includes tasting of 5 locally produced wines accompanied by a typical charcuterie and cheese board.

Ruchè Tasting

This 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 cured meats and cheeses.

Gold Tasting

The experience will be fully supervised by the winery's winemaker and will consist 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 estate-made wines accompanied by a platter of local cured meats and cheeses.

Winery tour, lunch and wine tasting at one of the historic Langhe wineries in the picturesque Piedmont area near Alba and Barolo.

To personalize your experience, you can choose from 2 lunch options.

Gluttonous Menu

The menu includes:

•    an assortment of cold and hot appetizers from our country tradition
•    a homemade first course of your choice
•    a dessert

Delicious Menu

Menu includes:

•    cold and hot appetizers from our country tradition
•    a homemade first course of your choice
•    a second course
•    a dessert

For children there is a menu that includes pasta, schnitzel and potatoes and a final dessert so they too can enjoy this fun experience.

A sweatshirt is recommended for the winery visit.

Horseback riding in the woods of Albiano d'Ivrea, in the Gargnanese hinterland, a few kilometers from Turin with an experienced guide.

Program

The meeting is at the riding school in Albiano d'Ivrea, in the province of Turin. Upon arrival, the equestrian guide will welcome participants and provide a brief introduction to basic techniques for safely handling the horse.

The ride will take place along the "Route of Wonders," a loop trail of about 7 km on the hill of Albiano d'Ivrea, among vineyards, streams and poplar groves. Along the way, visitors can admire the Bishop's Castle of Albiano, built on the remains of a Roman villa, and characteristic installations.

During the excursion, equestrian guides will accompany the group on foot, ensuring safety and sharing interesting facts about the area. At the end of the ride you will calmly return to the riding stables.

If you choose the "walk + aperitif" option, a platter of local cured meats and cheeses, accompanied by an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage, will be served upon return.

A farmhouse lunch in Castiglione Falletto overlooking the Langhe é the perfect opportunity to soak in the atmosphere of the Piedmont hills with friends or family.

Lunch or Dinner

On weekends you can have lunch or dinner in the farmhouse in addition to the winery visit. You will be treated to a typical 6-course Piedmontese menu:

•    3 typical appetizers
•    Frimo (ravioli del plin or risotto)
•    Second course
•    Sweet

The courses will be paired with wines from the winery: Dolcetto d’Alba, Barolo “Bussia” and Barolo “Pugnane”.

This experience includes a guided tour of the vineyard and winery with a final aperitif on the panoramic terrace.

Overnight stay

You will be greeted by the host who will give you directions to your overnight stay and accompany you to the double bedroom.

This experience é available on Fridays and Saturdays from 3 p.m. or Sundays from noon.

You will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch or dinner with:

•    Three starters
•    First course
•    Cheese board with jams
•    Sweet
•    Accompaniment of local wine

You will also have access to the wellness area with solarium, sauna, Turkish bath and the outdoor hot tub over the entire surrounding Langhe landscape.

In the overnight stay è breakfast is also included.

In case of food allergies or intolerances é you can contact the hotel after booking.

Horseback rides through the countryside in Canavese, above Turin, departing from Rivarossa.

The rides are for adults (18 years and older). There is a beautiful ride through nature, with opportunities to see wild boar and fawns. The area is hilly, with rivers, woods and grasslands.

The ranch from which you start, nestled in the unspoiled nature of the Canavese and Lanzo valleys, offers the opportunity to set out on long walks or participate in horseback trekking activities.

Wine tasting in Verduno, in the heart of Barolo, will allow you to taste local wines, visit the winery and the surrounding vineyards.

The winery s picturesque location on the ridge of the hill creates a natural terrace from which you can observe the whole area: from the rolling hills of the Roero to the boundless succession of the Langhe.

Each visit includes a walk through the vineyards, an in-depth look at the vines and the territory, a tour of the winemaking and aging rooms and, finally, wine tasting, proposed according to the chosen itinerary.

You can choose from 4 different options.

Tasting ''Essenza i Langa''

This tasting includes:

•    a selection of 3 local wines
•    1 cutting board of typical products

Tasting ''Selection of the winemaker''

This itinerary includes:

•    a selection of 4 local wines
•    1 glass of sparkling wine
•    1 cutting board with cold cuts, cheeses and breadsticks

Tasting "Nebbiolo & Tradition"

This tasting allows you to taste 5 wines and includes:

•    Alta Langa DOCG or Champagne
•    Langhe DOC Nebbiolo
•    Nebbiolo d'Alba DOC
•    Barbaresco Convivio DOCG
•    Barolo Simposio DOCG
•    1 board with mixed cold cuts, cheeses and breadsticks

Tasting "Langa Crus"

This itinerary includes a tasting of 6 wines and includes:

•    Alta Langa DOCG or Champagne
•    Barbaresco Gallina DOCG
•    Barbaresco Pajorè DOCG
•    Barolo Bussia DOCG
•    Barolo Monvigliero DOCG
•    Barolo Riserva DOCG
•    1 cutting board with mixed cold cuts, cheeses and breadsticks

In case of food allergies and intolerances it is possible to contact the facility after booking.

Educational farm for children and adults to learn how to make cheese and then taste it with a glass of wine.

The experience begins with a gentle walk in the woods, a pristine corner where goats live free and happy, surrounded by the beauty of a natural environment that welcomes and protects them.

Here, you will have the opportunity to milk the goats with your own hands, collecting fresh and genuine milk, ready to be turned into delicacies. An experience that will allow you to come into direct contact with the work of the land, rediscovering the value of healthy and authentic food.

Next, you will move to a charming country "ciabot," where Paolo, with his experience and passion, will guide you in the art of cheesemaking. With the help of a rural kitchen, you will learn how to make delicious cheese, step by step. The rustic and cozy atmosphere of the "ciabot" will allow you to fully understand the artisanal process and respect for traditional methods.

In the meantime, while the milk is being transformed into cheese, you can delight your palate with a fine tasting of artisanal cheeses, both goat and cow, accompanied by a selection of typical local products, such as cured meats, honey and homemade jams, all while sipping a good glass of local wine, perhaps a Roero Arneis or a Roero Rosso, which enhance the authentic flavors of the hills.

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

During the winery tour and wine tasting of Oltrepò Pavese, you will have a choice of three different experiences.

The first tour lasts 1h30 and includes the tasting of 3 glasses.

The second option lasts 2h, and is recommended for lovers of the fine bubbles of Spumante Metodo Classico.

The last type of experience you can choose instead includes a tasting of 3 Cru of Pinot Noir, the highest expression of elegance of this noble grape variety vinified in red.

Alpaca walking in Carpaneto Piacentino allows you to enjoy a relaxing experience immersed in the tranquility of the countryside.

You can walk along pristine paths through forests, flowering meadows and vineyards accompanied by gentle, soft alpacas.

This experience is suitable for everyone: families, couples, groups of friends or simply those looking for a relaxing time away from the daily hustle and bustle.

Alpacas are gentle, curious and peaceful creatures, perfect for a relaxing and fun experience. Following their slow, meditative pace, you will savor the silence broken only by the rustling of leaves and their quiet breathing.

At the beginning of the experience there is a brief introduction about alpacas to learn about them, how to interact with them and how to guide them safely.

Afterwards there is a walk of about 1 hour on a nature trail, with stops to enjoy the scenery and make friends with these fascinating animals.

Lunch in Oltrepò Pavese, at Calatroni Vini, to taste typical dishes and enjoy some excellent locally produced wine together.

Program

The experience begins at 12 noon with a guided tour to discover the organic vineyards, crossed by the historic Via di San Colombano.

The second part of the visit takes you to the winemaking cellar and the aging cellar to explore the world of wine.

The third moment is dedicated to flavors, both on the plate and in the glass: a set menu lunch that includes.

•    3 courses that vary according to the seasonality of the products
•    4 glasses of wine paired with each course
•    Water
•    Coffee
•    Cover charge

To personalize the experience you can choose 2 wine pairing options:

•    Basic wines: basic wines will be served with each course
•    Classic method sparkling wines: classic method sparkling wines will be served with each course

Reduced menu for children includes salami or cheese, main course and dessert.

In case of food allergies, please notify the facility following the reservation

A visit to the Calatroni Vini winery in Santa Maria della Versa will allow you to discover the wines that characterize the Oltrepò Pavese territory.

Program

The activity starts with a walk through the vineyard, then you will continue with a guided tour in 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).

With this horseback ride in the Ticino Nature Park you will have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the horses, brush them and prepare the necessary equipment for an enjoyable ride.

The experience begins with a short introductory lesson that will help you learn how to tame your horse.

During the horseback ride, which will have an effective duration of 1 hour and 15 minutes, you will ride through the forest and spring areas, rich in waterways and vegetation. If lucky, you may see storks, herons and other migratory species.

There is also an opportunity to picnic on horseback.

Learn all the secrets about wine making and create your own unique blend with this workshop at the Urban Winery in Milan.

Program

As soon as you arrive, you will be served a welcome glass, which you can taste during a tour of the winery's production area, accompanied by a brief introduction to the project.

Next you will taste 3 wine bases, learning to recognize the differences related to production methods. Based on your tastes, you can then create your own custom blend.

To conclude, you will be able to unleash your imagination by decorating the bottle label of the created wine.

At the end of the experience you will be given a bottle of the wine made, one per group (group means the group that made the reservation), to take home as a memento of the experience.

Any extra bottles of the created blend can be purchased directly on site, at a price of 10€ per bottle, upon request to the facility prior to creation.

Botanical workshop in Milan to create a terrarium, that is a small glass garden made step by step with expert guidance.

During the experience you will learn how to design and make a terrarium, creating a small self-sustaining ecosystem inside a glass container. You will discover how to choose the most suitable plants, prepare the substrate, balance moisture and light, and properly assemble all the elements to ensure the longevity of your miniature garden.

Visit to the chocolate factory and chocolate tasting in Milan ideal for spending a culinary day among the many flavors of chocolate.

There are 3 different tours within the experience:

.

Base

At the beginning of the activity you will observe, using the 3D viewer, the harvesting and production stages of cocoa beans on a Perù plantation. Afterwardsè you will pass by the "Cioccoteca", the roasting room and the processing laboratory to find out all about artisanal production. The visità will end with a tasting of 3 different types of chocolate.

Media

At the beginning of the activity you will observe, using the 3D viewer, the harvesting and production stages of cocoa beans on a Perù plantation. Afterwardsè you will pass by the "Cioccoteca", the roasting room and the processing laboratory to find out all about artisanal production. The visità will end with a tasting of 5 different types of chocolate.

Premium

At the beginning of the activity, you will be able to observe, using the 3D viewer, the harvesting and production stages of cocoa beans on a Perù plantation. Afterwardsè you will pass by the "Cioccoteca", the roasting room and the processing laboratory to find out all about artisanal production. The visità will end with a tasting of 5 different types of chocolate accompanied by a glass of sweet wine.

The maximum limit who canò participate in a single visitanè of 8 people, also each tour lasts about 1 hour.

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.

Beekeeper's Day in Zibido San Giacomo, in the province of Milan, to learn how bees live and discover all the secrets about how honey and other products are made.

The experience is held from March to September, with variations depending on weather conditions.

Program

To begin, your guide will give you an introduction to the world of beekeeping. You will then put on equipment to visit the hives and, if you are not afraid, pick up a frame that has just been removed from the hive . After that you will visit the honey extraction workshop, where you will witness the production of honey.

At the end of the experience you will be given a jar of honey produced by the bees you were able to observe.