Piedmont, Italy is one of Wine Enthusiast magazine’s seven best wine travel experiences of 2020 – and, OMG – they mention Girl’s Gotta Drink!
A big thank you to our readers and clients for your continued support. This site has been going since I moved in 2013 and I could not be more proud of the enthusiasm and energy y’all express for the content and wine travel programs.
I was beyond thrilled when Lauren Mowery of Wine Enthusiast was in touch with me in the fall looking for tips on truffle hunting experiences in Barolo. I mean, that’s my jam! So, I tried to contain my excitement at the very idea of inclusion in their annual wine travel round-up. I didn’t want to tell too many people in case I made the cutting room floor.
But, there it is: A photo and a little paragraph highlighting my site and giving a teeny glimpse of our wine travel programs.
My top travel picks: How about a bit of a highlight reel?
I thought I’d use this as an opportunity to highlight some of our partners – both local and global. And, a summary of posts on wine travel in Barolo and Piedmont, Italy as well as other parts of Italy.
First: My top travel partners in Piedmont, Italy
We have some great partnerships with fantastic vendors. You can find a lot in various posts, but here’s a quick reference list:
Langhe Wine Bars / Dining:
- Voglia di Vino – restaurant (Alba): We work with Luca and Daniela on dinner experiences.
- Ape Wine Bar (Alba): Always a favorite stop with clients for a fun meal or aperitivo. The food is delish and the staff is fantastic. But, the unsung hero of Ape Wine Bar Alba is the amazing manager, Vanessa. In addition to her focus on top-notch hospitality, her wine pairings are spot on.
- Ristorante Marc Lanteri al Castello (Grinzane Cavour): Fine dining in a castle. Enough said.
- Locanda Fontanazza (La Morra village): The food, the atmosphere…Mattia and Valentina have created fantastic dining and offer rooms.
Hotels / Lodging: Contact me directly to schedule a Piedmont travel planning consult call and we’ll discuss your lodging needs and my recommendations. Reach out on my Contact Page.
Other:
- Mauro Giacosa: For all your transport needs.
- IWS Shipping: For all your shipping needs.
Second: Wine travel partners – others
Around Italy:
- Etna Wine School: If you aren’t familiar with the wines of Etna, get yourself some and start a very tastey education. Benjamin Spencer of Etna Wine School just finished the first encompassing book on the wine region, currently available for pre-sale. Find out more and order the book here. Then, start planning a trip to Etna and hire Ben. It’s epic wine travel.
- Explore Florence and Tuscany / Alexandra Lawrence: Seriously the best art, history, and cultural tour you’ll ever experience. She’s ace. She’s now also offering tours in Bologna!
- Girl in Florence: Check out Georgette’s site for more than just Florence and Tuscany information – she’s got travel tips for all of Italy, France, and a whole lot more.
- Romeo and Juliet Guide: If you are planning some Verona travel, check out my ladies in the city of love. And, click here for a discount code that Girl’s Gotta Drink readers can use to save when booking with them. Tour Verona, the Valpolicella wine region, Garda, and more.
Other:
- VinConnect: Check out the VinConnect portfolio to get early offers from top European producers. Order them easily online – no obligation – when each producer sends their one, two, or three offers each year (new release, library, and special offers, etc.) Wines are shipped direct-to-consumer. USA customers only.
- Lazenne: Wine travel luggage and other travel gear. For more on their products, read Bringing Wine Home From Italy.
- Carpe Travel: Great travel resource with a hefty focus on wine travel in the USA.
Third: Our top wine travel articles
When I moved here in 2013, the region was still very undiscovered and quite hard to navigate for a would-be traveler. Since I struggled so much in my early attempts to explore the area, I put on my public relations hat created content to help people get around. As a result, the site kind of took on a life of its own.
Here are some of the posts y’all seem to enjoy the most for travel in the region as well as beyond:
Piedmont travel:
- When is the best time to visit Piedmont? Let’s Review.
- Where to stay in Barolo Wine Country
- Alba Italy Guide
- Piedmont Travel: Alba White Truffle FAQs
- How to get to Alba Italy: Planes, Trains, Automobiles
- Barolo wine tour planning: Things to know before you go!
- Bringing Wine Home from Italy
- Getting around Barolo and Barbaresco
- How to do a Barolo day trip from Turin
Around Italy:
- An Insider’s Guide to Verona Restaurants
- A 48-hour Guide to visiting the Franciacorta wine region
- Cinque Terre Alternatives: 5 less touristy Italian Riviera Destinations
- Sassi di Matera: 9 Things I’ve Learned
- Italian Wine Country Travels: When Tuscany Calls
There are my wine travel highlights!
What locations are on your wine travel wish list for 2020? I’d love to hear in the comments below. I’ve been talking about a trip to Burgundy with my friend Josh of Word on the Grapevine, hopefully another trip back to Eta with Etna Wine School, and maybe…just maybe, Champagne – stay tuned!
And, for inspiration, don’t forget to check out the Wine Enthusiast list of 7 Best Wine Travel Experiences of 2020!
