Piedmont Bike Tour

Overview

Barolo, Barbaresco, and Beyond in the Birthplace of Slow Food. Our signature tours. Ride through vineyard-clad hills to the renowned wine villages of La Morra and Barolo. Meet our friend Michela for some oven-fired focaccia and a tasting of her little-known wines in the garden of her classic Piedmontese farmhouse. Spend three luxurious nights at the stunning Relais San Maurizio—a former monastery converted into a stylish spa. Pedal into the unexplored Alta Langa region, through a landscape dominated by nocciole (hazelnut trees) to a hazelnut-themed lunch at a family farm. Learn about the Nebbiolo grape during a paired tasting lunch at a boutique Barbaresco winery. Celebrate Piedmont’s renowned culinary culture during a visit to a family of truffle hunters. Homemade plin pasta, white truffles, risotto, hazelnuts, and bagna càuda with garden-fresh vegetables. Bold Barolo, Barbera, and Barbaresco wines; light and easy-drinking Dolcetto; fruity Arneis; sparkling Metodo Classico. Day 1: Exploring the Monferrato. Welcome to Piedmont! Your guides will meet you at the Tortona train station, then it’s off to the countryside for a homemade lunch with our friend Michela at her historic family winery. Take in your first views of Piedmont’s iconic vineyards before we hop on our bikes and ride along vine-clad ridges through this booming Barbera-producing region. Our destination is the converted monastery of San Maurizio, a luxurious Relais & Châteaux property with meticulously manicured grounds and unsurpassed views of Dolcetto and Moscato vineyards. Enjoy a glass of wine or relax by the pool before regrouping for dinner at their renowned ristorante. Day 2: Bucolic Barbaresco. Ride out of San Maurizio this morning and cross into the Nebbiolo-producing region of Barbaresco, where countless small, artisanal producers cultivate their grapes amidst these bucolic hills. Pedal into the village of Barbaresco to savor the simple pleasures of Italian life with a leisurely coffee on the piazza. Continue on to meet a small Barbaresco producer for an intimate luncheon and wine tasting set against a backdrop of breathtaking views at a lovingly-restored cascina (Piedmontese farmhouse). After lunch, challenge yourself with the ride back to the hotel or opt for a transfer for some extra pampering time at the spa. Tonight we’ll visit our friend Cristina for a convivial evening of preparing local dishes that unlock the secrets of Piedmontese cuisine. Day 3: The Hazelnut Ride. Ride into the wildest parts of the Langhe today: impossibly narrow roads, crumbling medieval towers, and endless hazelnut trees line the route. The remote nature of the area made it a hotbed of Resistance activity during WWII and, to this day, monuments to these partisan fighters punctuate the hilly landscape. Given the abundance of nocciole (hazelnuts) here, our ultimate destination today is our friend Isabella’s hazelnut farm for a hazelnut-themed lunch of sweet and savory dishes. The ride back follows a ridgeline with some of the most spectacular vistas in the region. Tonight, we’ll visit the Barbaresco-producing village of Neive for a chance to taste the full range of Nebbiolo wines at a hip new restaurant. Day 4: Truffles and Nebbiolo. Say goodbye to San Maurizio as we ride to the Barolo region. Our route follows the crest of the Langhe ridgeline with views towards the Apennines and the Alps. The hills here are lined with hazelnuts and vineyards, with prized Piedmontese truffles hidden below ground. Our friend Silvio—a seasoned truffle hunter—is a keeper of Piedmont’s gourmet treasures, and we’ll taste both newly-unearthed truffles and fresh eggs at his family farmhouse. After one more climb, our reward is a mouthwatering plate of tajarin pasta at our friend Massimo’s hilltop trattoria. A final thrilling descent brings us to our hotel, a beautifully restored farmhouse on a historic Barolo estate. Settle in and spend some time relaxing by the pool. This evening you're free to choose a local restaurant for dinner on your own in Alba, Italy's gourmet capital. Day 5: Meet the Barolo Producer. We've saved some of the best scenery for last as today's ride takes us through the heart of the Barolo region, where rows of neatly tended vines march toward hill towns crowned with medieval castles. Count Cavour, the architect of modern Italy, called one of these castles home and we'll delve into this history along the way. Our route takes us through the villages of La Morra and Barolo, home to some of the most prized wine-growing terrain in the world. Of course, our destination is a winery, where we'll meet our friend—a local Barolo producer—and celebrate the end of the ride with a private lunch and ample pours of some recent vintages. This evening we'll enjoy a farewell dinner prepared by the estate's chef paired with world-class wines of the Langhe. Day 6: Off to Asti. Challenge yourself with an optional morning loop ride or take a stroll through the estate before enjoying one last breakfast. Your guides will then transfer you to the train station in Asti as you head on to your next destination. Accommodations: Thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region. Luggage transfers. Meals: Daily breakfasts, all lunches, nutritious snacks, and après velo cocktails. 4 gourmet dinners at our favorite local restaurants and renowned culinary establishments. Carefully selected local wine, beer, or spirits with every meal. Activities: Wine tastings and activities as outlined in the tour itinerary. Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other exclusive events. Gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service. Gear: Top-of-the-line bicycle selection. Bike helmet. Complimentary DuVine gear including a custom cycling jersey, DuVine t-shirt, water bottle, and drawstring bag. GPS with pre-programmed route maps. Support: Expert bilingual guides with extensive local knowledge. Support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes refreshments, and offers lifts. Pick-up and drop-off before and after your tour from predetermined meeting points. Daily bike maintenance to ensure optimal performance. Bikes: Synapse Carbon 2 (Cannondale Road - Included), Colnago V4 (Colnago Pro Road - $600 supplement), Teammachine 01 AMP THREE (BMC Road E-Bike - $400 supplement), Turbo Vado SL 2 4.0 ST (Specialized Hybrid E-Bike - Included), Turbo Vado SL 2 4.0 (Specialized Hybrid E-Bike - Included).

Daily Ride Schedule

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included