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RELAX AND ENJOY THE GOOD LIFE WITH OUR AUTUMN WINE & FOOD WEEKEND OFFER
DAY 1 FRIDAY
Your wine and food weekend starts when we collect you from Turin airport and drive you to your weekend destination at Vechio Podere Santa Cristiana. We are a luxurious vineyard retreat in the heart of Piedmont’s Monferrato wine growing region.
BENVENUTO YOUR VINEYARD RETREAT.
On arrival guests will be served welcome drinks during which introductions and general orientation to the vineyards accommodation will take place.
RELAX RELAX RELAX.
Guests will be given time to relax, freshen up and settle into rooms and surroundings.
WINE TASTING AND PAIRED BUFFET
For your first evening we have arranged a wine tasting and buffet meal to be hosted at Vecchio Podere Santa Cristiana. The wines will come from the cellars of Vecchio Podere Santa Cristiana. They will all be selected to represent the best of traditional Piedmontese grape varietals. All will have been produced locally by some of the best but lesser known boutique wineries in the area. These wines cannot be found on supermarket shelves. The food will be selected from local specialities; it will be in season and prepared fresh that day. Careful thought is given to the pairing of the wine and food. Tasting notes and information on the wines being sampled will be provided in English. Recipes can be provided by request.
DAY 2 SATURDAY
MORNING GLORY
Awake and enjoy a leisurely breakfast of home-made local produce.
MORNING VINEYARD TOUR
Weather permitting and for those who want to, a guided walk around the vineyards of Vechio Podere Santa Cristina. You can experience the beauty of the autumn colours, the beautiful landscapes and if we are lucky good visibility to see the magnificence of the Alps, oh! and learn about wine growing.
TO THE TRUFFLE AND WINE FAIR.
Set off for the International Alba Truffle Fair. On route you will be driven along the Astesana “strada del vino” wine road passing through the famous village of Barbaresco where the Nebbiolo grape is king, to arrive in Alba.
EXPLORE AND ENJOY
You are now free to explore the historic city of Alba and visit the world famous truffle festival taking place this weekend. Tickets etc will be arranged and provided for you. Your hosts will also provide local maps and information about places of interest. You will also be given advice and guidance about how to get the best from the truffle and wine fair events. Your guides will remain in the area to answer questions or help with directions or indeed purchases of the famous white truffles should you wish to buy some. Please note that no formal lunch has been arranged. Through experience we know that after sampling many of the local products available at this event, most people do not want a big lunch. However there are lots of local cafes and restaurants catering for anyone wishing to eat more or simply wanting a coffee break.
MEET THE WINEMAKER
At a pre arranged time and place in Alba your host will meet with you again and take you for a personal introduction to one of the wine makers participating at the wine festival. You can sample some of the wines from the Langhe region where the Nebbiolo grape is king. You can learn about the history and development of this noble wine variety that now enjoys world wide acclaim.
LATE AFTERNOON
Your hosts will return you to Vecchio Podere Santa Cristina where you can relax and change to be ready for an evening of excellent dining.
AT THE BAR
Guests gather at the bar in Vecchio Podere Santa Cristina for pre-dinner drinks and then are driven on to an exceptional dinner at a world class Piedmont restaurant.
SUNDAY
A LIGHT BREAKFAST PLEASE (do we have to eat more!)
An early start with hot and cold drinks, fresh fruit, homemade preserves and fresh croissants for breakfast this morning.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS - TRUFFLE HUNTING
Experience the excitement of the hunt for the famed white truffle. Walk with a local truffle hunter and his dogs over mist clad hills through the vines and woods in search of this all elusive Piedmont tuber.
ALWAYS TIME FOR FINE WINES
After all that exercise its time to visit another local cantina before returning to Vecchio Podere Santa Cristiana for lunch and then transfer to airport.
TIME TO GO BUT CAN WE GET THE WINE HOME?
Transfer back to the airport for the journey home.
THIS WINE AND FOOD WEEKEND OFFER INCLUDES:-
*LUXURY VINEYARD ACCOMMODATION * ALBA INTERNATIONAL TRUFFLE FAIR & WINE FESTIVAL
*MEET THE WINEMAKER SESSIONS * TRUFFLE HUNTING (WITH GUIDE)
* ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDES AND DRIVER * INFORMATION PACKS FOR TOURS & WINE TASTINGS
* AIRPORT TRANSFERS FROM TURIN AIRPORT * WINE TASTING EVENTS * CANTINA VISITS
* FANTASTIC FOOD - INCLUSIVE OF 3 BREAKFASTS, ALL EVENING MEALS AND LUNCH ON SUNDAY
ATTENTION TO DETAILS
It is necessary to arrive in Turin airport by latest 6 pm on Friday (collection time). You will be collected and returned to Turin airport on the dates and times specified. Alternative collection and return arrangements will incur additional costs.
This offer is subject to availability and is limited to a maximum of 4 couples per weekend. We are happy to accept a group booking or individual couples.
The price is based on 2 people sharing a room. Single occupancy will incur a substantial surcharge.
Truffle hunting with an experienced truffle hunter is subject to weather conditions and we cannot guarantee that we will find truffles! (Shame but always true). If however truffles are discovered they will be offered for purchase following negotiation of the price with the trifolao [the truffle hunter].
Flights are not included in this offer.
Lunch in Alba on Saturday is not included in this offer
In the event of unforeseen circumstances we reserve the right to cancel this event - in which case a full refund will be offered.
A booking is only confirmed on our receipt of a deposit. Deposits are refundable for 24 hours after payment but non-refundable if paid within one month from dates of arrival.
If you have any special dietary requirements you must let us know at least 48 hours in advance of your arrival to avoid problems with choice of food.
Vecchio Podere Santa Cristiana has a no smoking policy inside the house and all guest rooms.
For luggage transfer we allow for one piece of luggage and one hand bag or back pack per person. If you arrive with serious amounts of luggage for transport you need to discuss details with us before getting here.
