A few months back we were contacted by USA TODAY about a possible story on wine tourism in Piedmont ,we were very excited to say the least.

After photos and info was sent off we were waiting to see if something would come of it.

After a month or so we hadn't seen anything so we thought better luck next time until a couple of weeks ago while chatting with some folks on a tour when they mentioned they had heard of us in USA TODAY! And gave us a link to the article.

September and harvest is upon us. Everyone is really busy and excited for an exceptional harvest if the weather cooperates!

This is a blog written by one of our recents customers that we would like to share.

Wine Tasting Out of Turin

This past weekend, Mr. Goat and I traveled to Turin, Italy, which is about a 5 1/2 hour train ride from Zürich — or, that is, should have been. So when we were booking the trip, I noticed there was a direct train to Milan and then a connection to Turin. Sounded like a good plan to me. Mr. Goat, however, decides that he wants to shave 25 minutes off the trip by adding in 2 more connections. Therefore, we ended up with the plan of Zurich –> Bern –> Brig –> Milan –> Turin.
Well, needless to say, we got as far as Bern before that whole plan went out the window. You will find this hard to believe, but we were actually on a Swiss train that was late. Yep, we got into Bern a grand total of seven minutes late. Which, apparently, was enough to make us miss our connection. Cue eye roll and “I told you so.”
Now what would have been arrival in Turin around 11pm Friday turned into arrival closer to 1:30am. Luckily, we made those later connections and sure enough arrived at our AirBnB apartment shortly after 1:30. Exhausted and hoping to get sleep before our next busy day, we went straight to bed.
Saturday, to our great relief, was just one of those idyllic days that you look back upon and long to recreate.
Let me begin by saying that this was a very last minute trip for us. As in, we just decided on Thursday that we were going away for the weekend. We chose Turin because it was close enough to Zurich to use the trains, which made it cheaper than most other destinations we were looking at. And because it was near a famous wine region in Italy: Piedmont. Which meant we damn well better be able to make it out wine tasting if we went to Turin. Thus, on Thursday, I spent the morning searching for wine tours. I emailed about three tour guides and one of them not only had one of those speedy replies that makes you renew your faith in the ability of humankind to integrate with technology, but said they were available! I spent some time doing what I could to evaluate them — which was actually quite easy, seeing as they were the most visible and had the most reviews out of all our options. So I booked it!
And, as I alluded to earlier, they did not disappoint. We had one of those perfect days. Where you don’t have to worry about a thing and you can completely relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery and delicious food and wine. Which is exactly what you want when exploring wine country, right? If you are curious to hear more details about the tour, see my Trip Advisor review.
But really, I cannot recommend Travel Langhe enough. If you decide you need to explore a wine region in Italy, you would do well to pick them and the Piedmont region. In fact, we’re already talking about when we’ll be back! One weekend and one day of that in wine country was not nearly enough time.
And now for the picture section of the post:

Romantic tasting in the middle of the Pasquale Pelissero vineyards in front of ciabot Bricco San Giuliano

Favorite photo of the trip

The BEST specialty store we have been in. Lots of samples to try (which meant we bought just about all the food they were sampling), and being surrounded by laughing, happy people. This Enoteca in Neive was like a dream.

Wine country view

Turin

View of Turin from the top of the Mole Antonelliana

Me walking the magnificent streets of Turin

My second favorite photo of the trip. Taken in Parco del Valentino

The 2011 travel season has begun, our first group arrived on the 11th of March and we were very worried.
Just a few days earlier it had snowed, but we lucked out as the weather cleared up just in time.
Leslie is explaining vineyard management to a few folks from the group.

After a few days in Barbaresco and Barolo we headed up to Lake Como and stayed in Bellagio, which was just
opening up for the season. Hard to believe these quiet streets will be jam-packed in a few weeks, by mid April
this photo will be impossible.

While Leslie and the group took the ferry to Varenna for lunch, I stayed back to gas up the van and check-
out a pizzeria we have yet to try, verdict: pizza was good, wine list not good, wine service cute/good, the
vino popolare (house wine) was served old-style in a Brocca.

I grabbed a cappuccino at the gas station and once again was reminded how serious Italy takes its coffee.


After dropping folks off at Malpensa airport, we stopped by the wine region Franciacorta to scope out some wineries
and restaurants for future trips when we stumbled on a cool wine shop specializing in bubbles! the sub zones
with-in the region were nicely displayed along with the producers. Sipping bubbles while shopping is mandatory,
wiener dog optional.

On a recent tour we took our quests to one of our favorite stops. " La Luna Buona"
a Robiola cheese producer. Olivia the owner (on left) is showing us her goats
they are free Range as is required by D.O.P. laws

Learning about the production facility.

The wonderful cheeses they make shown here dusted with herbs and
spices including vegetable carbon.

A fall in Piemonte is not complete with out a truffle hunt Robert got to
follow our neighbor Lorenzo on a hunt with his truffle dog Diana

Maybe a hit ?


Yes, they score !!!

Nothing beats the home made pasta at one of our favorite restaurants "Crota"

Harvest in done here in Barbaresco now the hard work in the cellar starts.
Pressing is a very messy job. Roberts hands remain Barbara red for two
weeks. But they are very soft.

The La Morra sherif detaining more tourists from the states Bob and Mila
were good sports and followed orders to email this photo to city hall.

Bob did a great job impressing the locals with his pizza making skills. They
think we Americans are strange for putting pears & Gorgonzola on a pizza
But putting french fry s on a pizza is normal ?

Harvesting nebbiolo behind our home. Producers in both Barolo and Barbaresco
are VERY exited about nebbiolo this year, looks very promising !!!

This is why so many people travel to Alba in the fall.

The famous white truffle of the langhe

It's always nice to have an American visitor show Italian winemakers how to
properly sciabola a bottle of champagne.

Daniele Panino!!!

Trying salsiccia di bra (raw sausge) for the first time yum !!