Project Alba Underground was started in 2011 to give people a chance to see the changes Alba went through over the last 2000 years, tours are given in the fall for current tour times head over to their web site. The 90 min. tour starts in front of the Duomo in Piazza Risorgimento.
After we are given our maps archaeologist Laura gathers the group to start the tour.

The first stop is around the corner under one of the local banks

Laura explains the artifacts found during this dig under the bank.

Old Roman streets

At Azienda Agricola Stra in Novello, the whole family gets involved in harvest. Rain is predicted so everyone is hurrying to bring in the grapes. Above is Roberto with son Paolo below.

Even Nonna, grandmother, is working hard. We first tried their Langhe Nascetta at Cafe Novel in Novello, we loved it so we made a visit to taste the rest of their wines and we were not disappointed. Maresa and Roberto are perfect hosts with a beautiful winery and a small agriturismo with 4 apartments.

Nebbiolo for Barolo and Barbaresco is why we are here, harvest time is always a fun reminder of that.

This autumn has been especially cool and foggy, more like November weather. The leaves are starting to turn colours, we hope the rain and wind stay away so we can have some stunning fall colours this year.

When the alcohol fermentation is complete the skins and seeds drop to the bottom of the tank, it's now time to drain off the free run wine, a very messy job.

After draining, the door is opened to start the really fun job of shovelling the pomace into the basket press

Looks like Lorenzo is having a great time filling the basket

After pressing (gently) the basket is taken outside to lift it off the giant muffin of pomace

Then load it onto the tractor for delivery to a local distillery to be made into Grappa (Brandy).