Piedmont with Giorgio Rapicavoli

Day 1

Benvenuto a Torino! Today we take in the beauty of the Piedmont region in Turin, which with its Baroque buildings, stone streets and towering Alps backdrop, is all too easy.  Our first taste of the city is a literal one: a behind-the-scenes food tour of Turin’s fabled markets, shops and cafes. We’ll sample regional cheese, lunch on seasonal delicacies, and last but not least, we’ll dive into the beautifully complex world of Italian chocolate. We’ll start with one of the city’s proudest inventions, a steaming Bicerin made of espresso, drinking chocolate, and milk.

We’ll reconvene in the evening for a pre-dinner aperitif and introduction to Turin’s Slow Food movement—a theme we’ll be exploring deliciously during the week ahead—followed by a three-course welcome dinner at Il Consorzio as the sun dissolves behind the Alps.

Day 2

Today we go straight to the source of Piedmont’s Slow Food movement—the idyllic and untouched countryside. As Baroque architecture gives way to rolling hills, our first stop is one of La Morra’s most storied wineries. Far from your standard “wine tour,” this tasting and tutorial is an in-depth and hands-on introduction to the region’s finest varietals. After lunching trattoria-style with the winemaker, we’ll make our way to the village of Barolo, where we’ll visit a historic enoteca to sample even more of the flagship wines of the region. 

Sated by historic vintages and still full from lunch, we’ll settle down for the afternoon in Monforte, a storybook village among vineyards where we’ll take up residence in a restored 18th-century villa. Here’s your chance to relax and channel the spirit of Piedmont. Dinner tonight will be on your own.

Day 3

We’ll start the morning meeting a legendary butcher in Bra, a village that epitomizes the rural Slow Food phenomenon. After sampling fine salamis and sausage unique to the region, we’ll wander Bra’s market before cozying up for coffee and sweets at Bra’s historic pasticceria. 

We’ll let the espresso propel us onward until we wind up at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in nearby Pollenzo. Here, we’ll turn to Giorgio as he presides over a cooking demonstration—the ingredients and recipe inspired by all the sumptuous discoveries we’ve made so far. Finally, we’ll be invited to sample from the university’s coveted wine bank, a centuries-old cellar filled with vintages so rare they have to be kept in a vault!

We’ll punctuate the day with a Slow Food seminar and tour of this unique university before returning to our villa for a little rest and relaxation. Don’t call it a night though, because a truly memorable dinner awaits: We have reservations at L’Osteria dell’Arco, considered the Slow Food restaurant of the entire region.

Day 4

The hunt is on for truffles! Led by an expert trifolau, you’ll retreat to the forest with specially trained dogs for a guided experience on locating, identifying and cooking up these flavorful fungi. And because a day of truffles deserves a hearty pairing, we’ll grab some local wine and sit right down for an exquisite rustic lunch.

What’s next? Just exclusive, private access to the most famous distillery in Italy and a lesson (samples included, of course) in traditional liqueurs and grappas. We’ll practically float back to our villa just in time for sunset. Sip a cocktail by the pool or stroll to town for a casual meal—the rest of the evening is up to you.

Day 5

We wouldn’t dream of going to Piedmont without coming home with hazelnuts. Today, we whisper ciao to Monforte and find ourselves wandering the rows of a majestic, organic hazelnut grove. Here, we’ll sample all kinds of local favorites and learn about their handed-down harvest techniques.

This is all but a delicious appetizer for the day’s main course, a Giorgio-curated feast of the senses at Giovanni Rosso. We’ll sip wines grown just a stone’s throw away while we work our way through courses upon courses of local cuisine—Tajarin al burro, anyone?

Euphoric and sated, we’ll wind our way to Gavi and the stunning Villa Sparina, our home for the next two nights. After some free time to stroll the grounds or dip into the pool, we’ll descend into their 17th-century wine cellar to sip their finest varietals and nibble on homemade sausage and focaccia.

Day 6

We kick off the day at one of the most acclaimed new wineries in the region, whose mission statement is basically a love letter to Piedmont and its people. We’ll learn firsthand their biodynamic methods and how each step is designed to encourage biodiversity, reduce pollution and preserve the farm for the next generation. And then, we’ll drink: soft reds and mercurial whites in between flights of hyperlocal goat cheeses from a nearby farm. After a stroll through picturesque vineyards, we’ll convene for lunch at Locanda la Raia, with dishes personally selected by Michelin-star Chef Tommaso Arrigoni.

Our lunch devoured, we’ll return to the Villa Sparina for a lesson in Piedmont’s preferred apertif—vermouth. Led by a renowned mixologist, we’ll use local spirits and recipes to craft the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. After some rest and relaxation, we’ll join Giorgio and a master chef for our farewell dinner. Set in a rustic barn on the Villa Sparina estate, this epic meal—plates upon plates of Piedmont’s staples—is truly a storybook ending to this Slow Food odyssey.

Day 7

All good things must come to an end. We’ll soak up the last of our time together over a big farewell breakfast before bidding our final goodbye to Giorgio and the rest of the traveling crew. Until next time: Ciao!