What to do in Oltrepò Pavese: the 10 best activities

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

This experience is not suitable for pregnant women.

If you have any mobility issues, please notify the facility once your booking is confirmed.

The ride lasts about 2 hours and ends with the return to the riding stables.

The tasting and visit to the Infernot wineries in Monferrato takes place in Cella Monte, which joined the Borghi più Belli d’Italia since 2018 and includes: a visit to the historic winery and infernot, followed by a tasting of 4 wines.

For those who like it, you can add a small board with cold cuts, cheeses, bruschettine.

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 4 wines produced by the winery accompanied, for those who wish, by a small cutting board of local products and breadsticks (+5€). For the cutting board it is possible to request a vegetarian version.

During the tasting you will taste:

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

For the visit of the wineries in Monferrato we recommend clothing appropriate for the low temperatures and high humidity; present in the premises.

For minors or non-tasters the rate includes:

•    1 drink
•    1 small cutting board

This winery tour with wine tasting in the hills of Monferrato will introduce you to the production and aging techniques of the classic Piedmont wines produced by the winery, located between Asti and Alessandria. At the end of the visit you will be able to taste several glasses of local wines overlooking the hills of Vignale Monferrato.

The 1-hour activity begins with a guided tour of the winery, where you will be shown the aging and processing rooms of traditional Piedmontese wines, including the well-known "Barbera d'Asti" and "Barbera del Monferrato."

At the end of the visit you will taste 3 wines from the winery, paired with a shared platter of cured meats and cheeses.

The visit with tasting in Monferrato is a unique opportunity to learn about Piedmont's winemaking tradition and taste its wines in company and as a couple.

The winery tour with tasting at Castello di Razzano offers an engaging experience for wine lovers and those who wish to learn about the local wine culture. Located in the charming Castello di Razzano, the museum offers a fascinating journey through the history and production of wine in the region and Monferrato.

After visiting the museum, you will have the opportunity to explore the aging cellars of Razzano Castle. Wine tasting is a highlight of the visit. Each person will have the opportunity to taste three different wines, representative of Castello di Razzano's production. The wine selection could include both white and red wines, depending on your preferences or specialties of the region. To accompany the tasting, you will be served a platter of typical local cured meats and cheeses, which pair perfectly with the wines.

Positioned in one of the most evocative corners of Monferrato and surrounded by an estate of great scenic beauty, Castello di Razzano is the ideal reference point for those who wish to enjoy eno-gastronomic experiences of the area.

This experience is based on the search for truffles in the Langhe, followed by a tasting of truffles, cheeses, wines and other local foods.

Initially there will be an explanation of the history and characteristics of the truffle with its types. Next, you will go out hunting with the trifulau, followed by his dogs Esterina and Lizzy, searching for truffles underground. The dogs have a trained sense of smell to smell truffles and recognize where they grow.

We will then move on to a tour of the Trifulau House where we will see the objects, pictures and mementos handed down by the Trifulau.

At the conclusion of the visit, a truffle aperitif with accompanying tasting will be served.

Calendar of visits

•    October - January: Fine white truffle
•    February - September : Summer and winter black truffle

Some visits may be conducted in English.

In the summer period June-August truffle hunting and aperitif in the Langhe can only be booked in the morning.

The quad bike excursion in the Monferrato hills departing from Conzano will allow you to experience an adventure driving a quad bike in an area considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will be able to choose between two tours:

Quad Tour

The excursion is suitable for everyone and lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Together with an experienced guide, you will drive along a mostly unpaved route through vineyards and forests from which you can admire the area's evocative landscapes. On the way back you will pause at scenic spots to take some nice photo shoots while sitting on the Big Benches (giant benches that characterize these hills).

Quad bike tour and winery visit

Driving a quad bike you will be accompanied to discover the hills of Monferrato, driving along the dirt roads that pass through the vineyards and reveal the most striking landscapes. Along the way you will see where the typical products of Monferrato's wine and farming culture come from, as well as reach the most representative historical and artistic sites, including medieval castles, ancient quarries, country churches and open-air museums.
Halfway through the excursion there will be a stop at an authentic winery where you will be able to exclusively visit an Infernot, a cellar carved by hand into the cantonment stone, considered a Unesco World Heritage Site (You can add on the spot a tasting of typical products accompanied by the winery's wines).

On site you must pay the mandatory membership fee of €5 per person.

A visit to the winery will introduce you to the history of wine production of one of the most historic wineries in the Langhe and immerse you in the picturesque Piedmontese territory near Alba and Barolo.

Following the tour of the winery and the estate vineyards, you can choose from 2 menu lunch offered by the winery.

The experience lasts from 2 to 3 hours and is suitable for everyone. Minors are not allowed to taste. .

Greedy menu (2 hours 30 minutes)

The menuù includes an assortment of cold and hot appetizers from our country tradition, a homemade first course of your choice, and a delicious dessert to end the experience.

This menu includes a tasting of 3 wines.

Delicious menu (3 hours)

This menu includes cold and hot traditional country hors d'oeuvres, followed by a homemade first course of your choice, a second course and dessert to end the experience.

The delicious menu includes a tasting of 5 wines.

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

A sweatshirt is recommended for the winery tour.

Visit a family winery in Roero, learn firsthand about the traditions of this farm, and enjoy a delicious lunch near Cuneo.

The experience begins with a tour of the winery and follows with lunch (if selected) and wine tasting.

You can, in addition, choose to accompany the winery visit with a fixed menu lunch includes a welcome from the kitchen, two appetizers, a first course, second course with side dish, dessert, water, coffee, bitter and cover charge.

This experience will allow you to discover the territory of Roero, in the province of Cuneo, through its wineries, wines and local dishes.

Truffle hunting among the hills of Alba, in the Langhe region, is a perfect experience to experience firsthand a special moment: the search for this mysterious and fascinating ingredient.

You will have the opportunity to see live a secret and complex craft: that between the trifulau and his dog is a close relationship made of trust and mutual respect, which comes only after many years of experience. 

Few people have the opportunity to participate firsthand in this search: trifulau are in fact used to roam alone, sometimes at night, away from prying eyes. 

Although this is an “actual search” with a professional trifulau and his “tabui” (favorite dog), the one you will participate in è a ’simulated activity.  

However, since the search takes place in a natural truffle ground, è it is possible that truffles not artificially buried, but spontaneously grown on the spot, may also be found!

You can choose to have this experience exclusively with a private tour or do it on a shared basis.

For the activity to run smoothly, you will need to be self-driven as you will be expected to move between the meeting point and the forest where the experience takes place. We also recommend outdoor sportswear.

In case of mud or light rain, the activity is guaranteed and you will be provided with rubber chaps and capes. The activity will be moved or cancelled with a refund in case of heavy rains.

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.

Wine tasting with a view of the Langhe of Barolo at the Agnelli Viassone winery, located just a stone's throw from Grinzane Cavour Castle in the heart of the Langhe wine territory.

You will meet Daniele and Alessia, two young winemakers, husband and wife, and be greeted by Ubaldo the donkey, their mascot.

The experience begins with a walk through the vineyards, where you will admire the view of the Langhe.
Next, you will enter the winery, where you will be shown the techniques of winemaking and wine aging.
Finally you will taste 4 wines (1 white and 3 reds) accompanied by a nice mixed platter of cured meats and cheeses from small local producers.

Wine tasting with a guided tour of the winery and vineyard in Alba is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the hills of Piedmont and discover the Langhe region.

The experience begins with a walk through the vineyard from where you will admire the view of the Barolo and Barbaresco hills. Then you will continue into the winery and be shown all the rooms that characterize the wine production process.

At the end of the visit, you will be treated to a tasting of 5 wines including:

•    2 glasses of white wine of your choice
•    1 glass of Rosè di Nebbiolo
•    2 glasses of red wine of your choice

The wines will be accompanied by a board of typical products.

To participate in the tasting you must be over 18 years of age. Minors will not be allowed to taste.

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

The first tour of the vineyards and vines lasts 1h30 and includes the tasting of 4 glasses.

The second option lasts 2h, and is recommended for lovers of the Pinot Noir grape variety.

The last type of experience you can choose instead includes a tour of both the vineyards and the winery, and ends with wine tasting.

During this horseback ride in the Emilian Stirone Park you will be able to fully enjoy the beauty of the Apennines.

The horseback rides will take place on trails of low and medium-low difficulty suitable for all levels of experience, but also for those who have never been on horseback before.

You will be provided with all equipment for the excursion, including helmet (mandatory). Recommended clothing includes long pants and closed-toe shoes.

Discover the ancient art of Falconry: an exciting experience in the midst of nature that allows you to interact with a majestic bird of prey.

The falconry class is a perfect adventure to get close to the world of falcons and other birds of prey, where you can learn the secrets of an ancient art and become, for a day, real falconers.

This experience is suitable for everyone: ideal for enthusiasts, families, team building or those looking for an out-of-the-ordinary activity. When booking you can choose between the option suitable only for adults and the experience for younger children.

For adults

This experience will allow you to be in direct contact with majestic raptors: you can hold a hawk, owl or buzzard on your fist.

You will experience an interactive and engaging adventure: you will actively participate in the flight, calls, and care of these animals.

Class includes:

•    Theoretical introduction: biology, behavior and training techniques of raptors
•    Flight demonstration
•    Hands-on experience: you will try to call a raptor on your glove and guide it in flight under the supervision of an experienced falconer
•    Photography sessions

For children

Younger children (ages 4 and up) can experience the thrill of calling a raptor on their glove, observe it up close and learn the secrets of these fascinating birds.

The Baptism of the Glove is the perfect experience to introduce children to the world of raptors in an easy and fun way.

Your children will have direct contact with docile birds: trained owls, buzzards or hawks. The whole thing will be immortalized with a souvenir photo.

The falconer will show the raptor and explain how to gently approach it. Next, the child will put on a falconer's glove and, with the expert's help, call the raptor on his or her hand.

At the end, each child will receive a symbolic certificate to remember the experience.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The La Contea del Vignolo Fiorito farmhouse è ready to welcome you for a farmhouse lunch as a couple, with friends or family.

You can enjoy excellent dishes of the local culinary culture in an environment far from the city chaos and in contact with nature.

Menù light

•    House appetizer
•    1 first course of your choice
•    House dessert

Menù complete

•    House appetizer
•    1 first course of your choice
•    1 second course of your choice
•    House dessert

The menuù changes daily and is determined at the’beginning of the week based on the farm’s fresh produce, in fact every course è strictly homegrown.

Lunch starts at 12:45 p.m. and the service è unique.

In case of food allergies or intolerances please contact the facility.

A visit to the Calatroni Vini winery in Santa Maria della Versa will allow you to discover the wines that characterize the Oltrepò Pavese area. You will have the opportunity to choose between two different experiences.

Tour with tasting

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).

Tour with brunch

For a more complete gastronomic experience, at the end of the winery tour it is possible to have the tasting of the 4 wines accompanied by a brunch consisting of:

•    Charcuterie or cheese board
•    Hot first course of your choice
•    Dessert

Allergies, intolerances or special dietary needs should be communicated to the facility in advance.

The experience begins with a guided tour to discover organic vineyards, crossed by the historic Via di San Colombano: learn about the wine-making tradition of the Oltrepò Pavese and the practices that are adopted to preserve local biodiversity.

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

The third moment è dedicated to flavors, both on the plate and in the goblet: a set menu lunch with dishes from local raw materials from small realitiesà paired with our wines served by the glass.

The menu includes:

•    3 courses that vary according to the seasonality of the products
•    1 glass of wine paired with each course
•    Water
•    Caffè
•    Covered

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.

The children's reduced menu will include salami or cheese, first course and dessert.

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

.

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.

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

The first tour of the vineyards and vines lasts 1h30 and includes the tasting of 4 glasses.

The second option lasts 2h, and is recommended for lovers of the Pinot Noir grape variety.

The last type of experience you can choose instead includes a tour of both the vineyards and the winery, and ends with wine tasting.

The Casa Garello farmhouse in Salice Terme, in the Oltrepò Pavese, offers a lunch with wine tasting and tour of the cellars in a picturesque hillside setting. Casa Garello is located in an area traditionally devoted to wine growing. Everything brought to the table is derived from raw materials from the garden and vineyards.

The full-lunch tasting menu includes:

•    4 wines for tasting
•    Charcuterie and cheese platter and two hot appetizers
•    Traditional Oltrepò agnolotti pasta
•    Pinot roast with baked potatoes
•    House dessert
•    Water
•    Coffee

A children's menu is also available, which includes:

•    homemade cured meats
•    short pasta with red or white sauce
•    schnitzel with baked potato chips
•    dessert of your choice
•    1 soft drink

Any food allergies or intolerances can be communicated to the facility following the reservation.

The duration of the above experience is to be considered approximate.

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.

The La Contea del Vignolo Fiorito farmhouse è ready to welcome you for a farmhouse lunch as a couple, with friends or family.

You can enjoy excellent dishes of the local culinary culture in an environment far from the city chaos and in contact with nature.

Menù light

•    House appetizer
•    1 first course of your choice
•    House dessert

Menù complete

•    House appetizer
•    1 first course of your choice
•    1 second course of your choice
•    House dessert

The menuù changes daily and is determined at the’beginning of the week based on the farm’s fresh produce, in fact every course è strictly homegrown.

Lunch starts at 12:45 p.m. and the service è unique.

In case of food allergies or intolerances please contact the facility.

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.