The Langhe are a range of hills in southern Piedmont, south of Turin, covered in vineyards and topped by small villages and castles. They are the home of Barolo and Barbaresco, two of Italy's most celebrated red wines, and of the white truffle of Alba. In 2014 the vineyard landscapes of the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. From Milan they make a long but very rewarding day trip, or a weekend that many of our guests remember as the best part of their stay in Italy.
How far it is
Alba, the main town of the Langhe, is about 151 km from central Milan, and the drive takes just under two hours in normal traffic. The village of Barolo is about 162 km away and takes around two hours. The route runs south-west on the motorway towards Turin and then south through the Piedmont plain to the hills. From Malpensa the time is similar, because the airport is on the west side of Milan.
Once in the Langhe, distances are short but the roads are narrow and winding, climbing from village to village along the ridges. Driving between wineries takes longer than the map suggests, and the views make it worth going slowly.
A day trip or a weekend?
A day trip from Milan is realistic if you leave early: about four hours of driving in total, leaving room for two winery visits, lunch and a walk in Alba or one of the villages. It is a full day, usually ten hours or more. A weekend allows a much more relaxed pace, with three or four wineries, a long lunch and a dinner, and a night in one of the hotels or agriturismi among the vineyards.
The wineries
Many of the most respected producers in the Langhe are small family estates, and visits are almost always by appointment. Book well ahead, particularly in September and October, when the harvest and the truffle season bring the most visitors. A visit and tasting usually lasts about an hour to an hour and a half. We suggest booking the visits directly or through your hotel, and sending us the times and addresses so we can plan the route between them.
The truffle season
The white truffle of Alba is found in autumn, and the town holds an international white truffle fair over several weekends between October and early December. Those weekends are the busiest time of the year in the Langhe: restaurants and hotels fill early and the roads into Alba are busy. If you want to visit during the fair, plan and book in advance. For the exact dates of the current edition, refer to the fair's official website.
Villages worth a stop
Barolo has a castle with a wine museum. La Morra has one of the widest views over the vineyards. Serralunga d'Alba is dominated by its medieval castle, and Barbaresco has a tower overlooking the Tanaro river. Alba itself has a compact historic centre with towers, churches and shops selling local products.
Why a driver is almost essential
In the Langhe, tasting is the point of the visit, and drink-driving limits in Italy are strict. Add narrow hill roads, few signs and wineries tucked away at the end of farm tracks, and the case for a driver is clear. Your driver waits at each estate, knows the roads and gets you back to Milan safely at the end of a long day.
Hourly booking or a weekend quote
For a day trip, an hourly booking is the usual formula; rates are on our chauffeur service page and for a long day we confirm the total, including kilometres, in writing. For a weekend, we can quote the outward and return transfers separately, or keep the driver with you for both days, including his accommodation.
Choosing the vehicle
For two people, the Mercedes S-Class is the most comfortable car for the motorway and the hills. The Mercedes E-Class is a practical alternative. Groups up to seven travel in the Mercedes V-Class, with room for the wine you bring home. Larger groups or corporate wine trips can use the Sprinter Luxury VIP; some narrow estate roads are not suitable for a large vehicle, so we check the route in advance.
How to book
Send us the date or dates, the pick-up address, the number of passengers and, if available, the wineries and restaurants you have booked. We reply with a written, all-inclusive price, usually within 30 minutes.