Villa in Piemonte, Italy, Wine Region
Village of Barolo in Piemonte, Italy.
This guest post was contributed by Jenny Genzale.
Finding a villa in Piemonte, Italy – actually almost anywhere in Italy - is relatively easy. Centuries of opulent indulgence, artistic architecture and astounding stone-masonry have left the peninsula literally dappled with villas that mix period and panorama, comfort and creativity. But finding the perfect villa is a bit tricky. I set out looking for a villa in Piemonte – specifically the Barolo and Barbaresco wine region – and I found a great one.
Grand Salon and courtyard of Villa San Lorenzo at dusk.
Villa San Lorenzo in Bonvicino
Nestled among the picturesque Alta Langa hills of Piemonte, about 75 minutes from Turin and near the hamlet of Bonvicino, there is an extraordinary 400-year-old farmhouse that offers both authenticity and luxury.
Villa San Lorenzo offers privacy in a peaceful setting with spectacular views of the hilltop town Murazzano to the south and Monte Viso to the northwest. Every detail of this spacious villa in Piemonte has been meticulously designed to provide optimum luxury, elegance and comfort. The villa has six bedrooms, seven baths, claw-foot tubs, a professional chef’s kitchen, a wood-fired brick pizza oven, a fireplace rotisserie and al fresco dining for 12 near a large swimming pool.
Your villa in Piemonte ? Villa San Lorenzo swimming pool with sun shade pergola.
This villa in Piemonte fuses old with new, landscape with architecture, technology with antiquity. For instance, the kitchen is fully equipped with every modern appliance, but it’s the hand-cranked pasta-maker that sets it apart. Of course there is a modern stove, but one will relish making pizza in the traditional brick oven. Modern plumbing and heating, including towel warmers, will insure comfort, but nights in front of the stone fireplace will create memories. The beds are new, the amenities are plentiful, the Wi-Fi, satellite TV are modern necessities, but staying in a centuries-old farmhouse is uncommon.
Villa San Lorenzo, Suite 3 with clawfoot bathtub.
When to rent a villa in Piemonte
The seasons in Piemonte are defined by color. The hillsides in summer are obviously green. The fall foliage renders those hills in vivid yellows, oranges and reds. Autumn is also the time for hunting Piemonte’s famous white truffles. A brilliant blue sky make the snow seem brighter in winter and reminds one that world-class winter sports are only an hour away. Spring’s sunshine gives birth to glorious wildflowers, making irresistible hikes over meadows and vine-lined rolling hills. When the days get warmer, the radiant greens inevitably return. The evenings are balmy and an excursion to the picturesque Ligurian coast takes less than an hour from this villa in Piemonte.
Making pasta in professional chef’s kitchen with “fireplace rotisserie.”
In addition to hiking, truffle hunting, sea, sun and skiing, Villa San Lorenzo is an idyllic destination to indulge other passions: Cooking classes given by celebrated chefs; wine tasting and introductions to famous winemakers; capturing the peaceful beauty of Piemonte through the lens of a camera; visiting local artisans: and biking the back roads of old-world Italy. A list of planned 2014 excursions can be found on Villa San Lorenzo’s website or an itinerary can be tailored to your dreams. The villa offers highly personalized luxury visits. Every authentic cooking class, wine tour or other activity is based on the owners’ personal relationships in the region.
This villa in Piemonte is perfect for weddings, corporate retreats or family reunions. Wine connoisseurs and slow food aficionados rave about the region and the villa as being a “paradise.”
How to arrive:
Villa San Lorenzo is approximately one hour and fifteen minutes from the Torino (Turin) airport, 1½ hours from the Genoa airport, and Milan Malpensa and Linate are a little over two hours away. Most visitors prefer to rent a car and explore the region at their leisure. However, airport transfers can be arranged. Additionally, a daily chauffeur or tour guide can be arranged for groups or individuals.
What to do in Piemonte:
Villa San Lorenzo is situated in what some believe is the finest wine region in Italy, so wine tasting should be high on your list. From your villa in Piemonte, plan to visit the vineyards of Azienda Agicola Roagna or Azienda Agicola Peccenino or the winecave of Elio Grasso dug into the side of a mountain in Monforte d’Alba. Another favorite site nearby is the Racconigi Castle in Racconigi.
Turin is a little over one hour from the villa – a convenient distance for sightseeing and shopping. Top sites include Santuario Basilica La Consolata, Mole Antonelliana, Royal Church of San Lorenzo, Royal Palace of Turin, and Mercato di Porta Palazzo in Piazza della Repubblica.
In addition, you may be interested in the Turin City Museum of Ancient Art in Palazzo Madama, the Quadrilatero Romano (Roman Rectangle) with the Palatine Towers, and the Museum of the Holy Shroud (although the real Shroud is not scheduled to be on display again until 2025).
Spectacular view of Montviso from Bonvicino, Piemonte, Italy.
Recommended area restaurants:
- Osteria dei Binelli at 75 Borgata Pianezzo, Dogliani. Lunch / dinner Wednesday – Sunday
- Osteria Battaglino at Piazza Martiri Liberta, Dogliani. Open Thursday – Monday for lunch and dinner
- Pizzeria Per Bacco at 30 Via Roma, La Morra. Open Wednesday – Sunday 7pm to 11pm. Great Neapolitan certified pizza
- Centro Storico wine bar, Via Roma 6, Serralunga d’Alba, spectacular selection of champagne and Piemontese wines, great salumi and pasta/secondi/dolce, closed Monday’s
For more suggestions and information on the region and local activities, please click here. To watch a video about Villa San Lorenzo in Bonvicino click here.
Jenny Genzale is the owner of Ciao! & Media Marketing and represents Italian accommodations throughout Italy in the English-speaking social media marketplace. She currently lives in Como, Italy with her husband and writes a monthly blog called Ciao Travel Italy. For updates and tips on planning a vacation to Italy, you can connect with Jenny at Ciao Italy Travelers on Facebook or e-mail to ciaomedia.it@gmail.com.
Category: Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, Italy, Vacation Rentals
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Beautiful villa. I would add La Cantinetta (not ..nella) in Barolo to your list of recommended restaurants. Io e Luna in Guarene is fabulous, but a bit slow at night. Love to have lunch there. And, of course, in Roero there is Villa Tiboldi. Great food and wine and stunning views. If you want to spent a lot more, there’s Davide Palluda.
I have to say that this is one of the most beautiful villa that I have ever seen. Its clean and very peaceful, I noticed that there are no people in the pictures. Is this area secluded from the population? Please let me know.
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I located it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!