The Villages of Barolo

Welcome to Roddino. This small village is situated on the Barolo Route, between Monforte d'Alba and Serralunga d'Alba. The villages of Barolo are all within minutes by car, and the main town of Alba only 19km away. It is the perfect location for visiting the wineries and restaurants of Langa.

*************************************************************************************************

Welcome to Villa Lopiano! 

Breakfast with Local Products : 8:30am -10:30am

Wines and Tapas : we have a well stocked wine cellar with many varieties of wines in all price ranges, whether to take home or enjoy in the garden. A little snack can be provided if available. If you are interested just ask!

**********************************************************************************

In our local village Roddino, there is a small Church, a Post Office, a tiny Village Store, and 5 excellent restaurants:

*Osteria da Gemma : Tel: (+39) 0173794252

Set Menu of typical North Italian dishes : 30€ excluding wine. 

Open : Wednesday,Thursday Lunch;  Friday ,Saturday ,Sunday lunch and dinner   

.   

*Cascina Ricca :  Tel: (+39) 0173794191

Pizza and local dishes around 10€.   Closed:  Monday and Tuesday.

*Trattoria dell ’Amicizia :Tel: (+39) 0173794131

Café & Restaurant. Menu of antipasti/primi/secondi/dolce, or set menu 30 € excluding wine.  Closed:  Wednesday evening and all day Thursday. 

*Uri Sapori Condivisi : Tel: (+39) 3349704528

A popular Italian/Korean fusion restaurant; booking is recommended. Closed Monday.

*Agriturismo Iride :Tel: (+39) 0173794122

Beautifully presented Italian dishes, tasting menu or A La Carte. Closed Wednesday.

Also in the local area: Trattoria della Poste, Borgo Sant’Anna, Guido Restaurant, Osteria dei Catari, Trattoria La Coccinella, Bovio, L’Argaj, Le Torri, and in Alba the 3* Piazza Duomo.

*************************************************************************************************

Within the local area are dozens of small villages. We have listed a few to get you started….

MONFORTE D’ALBA:

Beautiful little town next to Roddino. There you find 2 local minimarkets, a bakery, tobacco shops, wine shops and a delicatessen. There are plenty of restaurants also, we can help you choose a place to suit you. On Monday morning there is a small local market selling breads, cheeses and cold cuts such as salami and prosciutto.

If you like a little workout, walk to the top of the town through the old lanes, finding some hidden hole-in-the-wall bars, café’s and restaurants along your way. At the top, you will find a little Amphitheatre beside the old church, and some stunning views.

If you fancy an aperitif, head to the Barolo Bar, where you will find a great wine menu where each glass of wine is always served with a little snack on the side. They also have a small food menu, and on Wednesday evening you might find some live music, or a DJ.

Up the hill in the old town is a beautiful bar/restaurant called Le Case della Saracca, better known by the locals as ‘Saracca’. Another place to enjoy a special bottle at excellent prices, with a good menu if you want to eat as well. It opens at 18.30 every day except Wednesday (closed). 

*************************************************************************************************

DOGLIANI

On the south side of the Roddino hills, 8km away you will find Dogliani, a quaint little town with 2 supermarkets, a cinema (most movies are shown in Italian), restaurants, butchers, and a few café’s and bars. A little out of town is an interesting Cantina Communal with local wines produced from all the grapes around the area, but specializing in Dolcetto. It is open every day and you don’t need to make an appointment, you can taste free and purchase these local wines at excellent prices. (cantinadolcettodogliani.it) 

On Tuesday Morning from 09.00 - 13.00 you have a beautiful local market, with local fruits, cheeses, vegetables and some other typical Italian market stalls .

*************************************************************************************************

SERRALUNGA D’ALBA

Just a few kilometres from Roddino is the ancient village of Serralunga, with its huge imposing castle surrounded by some cobbled stone lanes. It’s a quiet sleepy village which seems to be lost in time, but contains a handful of small bars and trattoria’s, and a few wine shops and wineries. Centro Storico is a popular little taverna next to the castle which serves good local dishes, and has an excellent wine menu which changes regularly. Of course the main offerings are Barolo, Barbera and Dolcetto, the 3 local grape varieties, but they also have an extensive Champagne menu if you are feeling in the mood!

*************************************************************************************************

CASTIGLIONE FALLETTO

Similar to Serralunga, this village is based around a castle with a selection of small bars and restaurants. From some of the terraces surrounding the castle you will find awesome views of the vineyards and surrounding hilltop villages. The high end restaurant Le Torri can be found here, as well as the famous Vietti Winery. Recommended is a visit to the small Enoteca Regionale where you will find a small underground cellar packed full of the most famous of the local wines. The staff who work there are extremely knowledgable of the wines, particularly Barolo, and offer tasting flights and tapas accompaniments. Whilst the prices are perhaps not as competitive as other shops or visiting the winery direct, the choice and knowledge can make up for it. Plus they have a small terrace for tasting and eating, with a fantastic view. 

*Please remember, most shops in Italy close from 12.30 – 15.30. They enjoy a long lunch!!

*************************************************************************************************

BAROLO

Barolo is the flagship wine of Piedmont and Italy, named after this small village just a few kilometres away from Roddino. The village is relatively small but has a good selection of small restaurants and wine bars, local food shops, and of course all kinds of wine related businesses. The village has its own castle, which contains within it the Enoteca Regionale as well as the Wi-Mu, an interactive museum focused on all things wine. Nearby the castle in the tiny chapel is often a small art exhibition, usually showcasing works from elite European Masters. 

Some of the larger wineries have tasting rooms here, such as Damilano, Borgogno, Marchesi di Barolo, and some under the radar producers such as Angelo Germano, who make excellent Barolo at superb prices, as well as a delightful Chinato, a bitter sweet liqueur made from Nebbiolo wine and various herbs and tree barks from the Alps. There are at least half a dozen independent wine shops who sell various wines from the region. It pays to shop around a little as some shops have different pricings. Often these places will offer free tastings, which more than makes up for the pricing premiums. 

The Barolo wine itself is made from the Nebbiolo grape, aged for a minimum 3 years, and must be produced within the area of the Barolo DOCG, which is basically Barolo and the surrounding 11 villages, or communes. A wine labelled Barolo has undergone strict regulation regarding harvest yields, vineyard exposure and elevation, and of course fermentation and ageing. Of course this comes with a price, as by the time the wine is for sale in the shops 4 years will have passed from harvest. That's a lot of work in the cellar!

Tasting young Barolo can be hard work, as even after 4 years it is at the beginning of its life cycle. Top wines can live for 40 or 50 years or more, and when young are high in tannins and acidity. It’s worth keeping your eyes open in the local shops here for some older bottles to try, some places serve by the glass or small samples. 

If you would like to get a feel of the grape, or a particular producer, it’s worth trying some Nebbiolo d’Alba, or Langhe Nebbiolo. This is wine that is made from the same grape as Barolo, but perhaps comes from less favourable vineyards, younger vines, or outside the 11 communes. Oftentimes these wines can be delicious and far more approachable than a young Barolo, and more often than not a fraction of the price. 

Don’t overlook the other wines! Barolo is the most famous of course, but around the area some spectacular wines are made. look out for Barbera and Dolcetto (red) and Arneis, Nascetta and Timorasso (white). Some of the less well known wines can be fantastic!

  ● Highly Recommended: Around the area there are many public walkways  taking you through the rustic vineyards, going from one town to another. Wonderful views in the middle of the vineyards where every turn is a photo opportunity.

 We have the local walking map available for 6 euro. Be aware that some routes have some hills to go up and down.

● We mentioned some of the local villages before, but that’s not the end of the exploration. This area has literally dozens of beautiful hilltop villages, more often than not adorned with a beautiful church or castle. A short drive in almost any direction will lead you from one picturesque village to the next, each with their own certain charm. Bossolasco, Neive, La Morra, Verduno, Novello, Bene Vagienna, are just some examples.

● Winery Visits: As we are in a one of the Worlds’ premier wine destinations, you can’t miss out on a winetasting! All around this area you will find wineries that open their doors to you, to show the process of their winemaking and mostly finishing with a winetasting, if stocks permit. We recommend to make a booking.

● Make a visit to Alba (19km), the home of Ferrero and the biggest chocolate factory in Italy. If you are lucky you might find a seductive chocolate aroma in the air! Alba is a historical little town with excellent gelaterias; One that’s been there over 70 years, La Romana, serves delicious ice-cream with all kinds of unique flavours including ones with the local hazelnuts. In town you will also find Italian fashions boutiques, alongside gift shops, Truffle shops and more Wine shops, all providing local and Italian products to take home.

● Head up to Torino, 70km North from here. The Capital city of Piedmont and the old capital of Italy during the Savoy Dynasty. From shopping streets lined with designer boutiques to ancient ruins and churches, it has a bit of everything. Huge piazza’s and small squares everywhere, full of café’s and bars. Whether it’s the huge daily markets, the Egyptian Museum, the impressive Duomo Cathedral, riverside parks, Juventus Football Club, the Café culture, or just people watching that attracts you, Torino has something for everyone. There are hourly trains from Alba, or drive up and park in the underground parking at Piazza Vittoria Veneto in the old town. 

 ●  We are only 50km from the Italian Riviera. Take a drive down to Savona, San Remo, Genoa or Liguria to enjoy the beaches and eat some seafood.