RESTAURANTS
Cascinalenuovo
Statale Asti Alba, 15 Isola d’Asti
A one star Michelin restaurant with very personable chef/owner, Walter Ferretto. Is brother, Roberto, handles the front of the house. They are great friends and it is always a must for visitors from the states.
Ristorante I Bologna
Via n. Sardi,4 Rocchetta Tanaro
One the best restaurants in the area located about 15 kilometers East of Asti going towards Alessandria. They offer a four-course meal with 4 choices of entrees plus a cheese course. The owner is Carlo Bologna with his wife and son in the kitchen Mariuccia and Beppe. He is the brother of the wine maker Giacamo Bologna mentioned in the recommendations for wineries in Piemonte (Braida) therefore if you are going to that winery this is down the street.
Piazza Duomo
Piazza Risorgimento 4 Alba
Owned by Bruno Ceretto it is a great place for either a quick meal at the café on ground floor or upstairs for something fancier at the one star Michelin restaurant.
In Barbaresco try either the wine bar immediately on your right as you are entering the village or for a complete meal try Ristorante Antica Torre Via Torino, 64, 12050 Barbaresco.
WINERIES
Pio Cesare
Via C. Balbo 6, Alba
This is the oldest winery in the town of Alba. As virtually all wineries here in Piemonte it is family owned and the family operates all aspects of the winery. Contacts are Pio Boffa, his brother-in-law Augusto Boffa and his nephew Cesare Benvenuto. Pio’s mother’s name was Cesare. They are known for their Barolo and if I recall correctly scored 100 with Wine Spectator a few years ago.
Tenuta Cisa Asinare dei Marchesi di Gresy
Via Rabaja 43 Barbaresco
The Marchese, Alberto di Gresy, is a wonderful person although he spends a lot of time in Milano and may not be at the winery. Jeffrey Chilcott, who hails from New Zealand, but has been here for 20 years is responsible for the vineyards and is a great host.
Produttori del Barbaresco
Via Torino, 52 Barbaresco
This winery is a cooperative with 53 members each one being a supplier of grapes to the cooperative. There are a number of these cooperatives in Piemonte but this one stands out because of their focus on quality. Aldo Vaca, is the president, a UC Davis grad. , and does the best job of explaining Barbaresco and the winemaking process. A good place to start as it provides a background for other visits.
Braida
Via Roma, 94 Rochetta Tanaro
The winery’s founder Giacomo Bologna, who unfortunately passed away in 1990 at a very early age, was the individual that changed Barbera from a peasant wine to a truly sophisticated wine. He is considered the King of Barbera. The winery is run by his children; Rafaella, who is a kick, and Beppe.
Coppo
Via Alba 68 Canelli
The four Coppo brothers; Gianni, Piero, Roberto and Paolo, continue the family tradition in producing exceptional wines. My father makes his wines at this winery because he believes in their philosophy and dedication.
Ceretto
Locanda S. Cassiano, 34 Alba
One of the best wineries in the Langhe. They produce an Arneis called Blange that is found everywhere. Bruno Ceretto is a wonderful person too!
Piedmont view
Cristina Fassio has been living in Siena Italy since 1994. Her father lives just outside of Asti where his parents came from. She owns Aiolina, an agriturismo in Tuscany.
Cascinalenuovo
Statale Asti Alba, 15 Isola d’Asti
A one star Michelin restaurant with very personable chef/owner, Walter Ferretto. Is brother, Roberto, handles the front of the house. They are great friends and it is always a must for visitors from the states.
Ristorante I Bologna
Via n. Sardi,4 Rocchetta Tanaro
One the best restaurants in the area located about 15 kilometers East of Asti going towards Alessandria. They offer a four-course meal with 4 choices of entrees plus a cheese course. The owner is Carlo Bologna with his wife and son in the kitchen Mariuccia and Beppe. He is the brother of the wine maker Giacamo Bologna mentioned in the recommendations for wineries in Piemonte (Braida) therefore if you are going to that winery this is down the street.
Piazza Duomo
Piazza Risorgimento 4 Alba
Owned by Bruno Ceretto it is a great place for either a quick meal at the café on ground floor or upstairs for something fancier at the one star Michelin restaurant.
In Barbaresco try either the wine bar immediately on your right as you are entering the village or for a complete meal try Ristorante Antica Torre Via Torino, 64, 12050 Barbaresco.
WINERIES
Pio Cesare
Via C. Balbo 6, Alba
This is the oldest winery in the town of Alba. As virtually all wineries here in Piemonte it is family owned and the family operates all aspects of the winery. Contacts are Pio Boffa, his brother-in-law Augusto Boffa and his nephew Cesare Benvenuto. Pio’s mother’s name was Cesare. They are known for their Barolo and if I recall correctly scored 100 with Wine Spectator a few years ago.
Tenuta Cisa Asinare dei Marchesi di Gresy
Via Rabaja 43 Barbaresco
The Marchese, Alberto di Gresy, is a wonderful person although he spends a lot of time in Milano and may not be at the winery. Jeffrey Chilcott, who hails from New Zealand, but has been here for 20 years is responsible for the vineyards and is a great host.
Produttori del Barbaresco
Via Torino, 52 Barbaresco
This winery is a cooperative with 53 members each one being a supplier of grapes to the cooperative. There are a number of these cooperatives in Piemonte but this one stands out because of their focus on quality. Aldo Vaca, is the president, a UC Davis grad. , and does the best job of explaining Barbaresco and the winemaking process. A good place to start as it provides a background for other visits.
Braida
Via Roma, 94 Rochetta Tanaro
The winery’s founder Giacomo Bologna, who unfortunately passed away in 1990 at a very early age, was the individual that changed Barbera from a peasant wine to a truly sophisticated wine. He is considered the King of Barbera. The winery is run by his children; Rafaella, who is a kick, and Beppe.
Coppo
Via Alba 68 Canelli
The four Coppo brothers; Gianni, Piero, Roberto and Paolo, continue the family tradition in producing exceptional wines. My father makes his wines at this winery because he believes in their philosophy and dedication.
Ceretto
Locanda S. Cassiano, 34 Alba
One of the best wineries in the Langhe. They produce an Arneis called Blange that is found everywhere. Bruno Ceretto is a wonderful person too!
Piedmont view
Cristina Fassio has been living in Siena Italy since 1994. Her father lives just outside of Asti where his parents came from. She owns Aiolina, an agriturismo in Tuscany.
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