Private Insider Wine & Gastronomy ExperiencesHosted by Chef Marcus & Jamie Guiliano

Piedmont & Northern Italy Wine & Gastronomy Experience

Barolo – Alta Langa – Gavi – Chocolate – Historic Castles – Underground Cellars

Private custom travel also available for groups, families, and culinary clubs.

Chef-led insider travel

Hosted by Chef Marcus & Jamie Guiliano

Travel through Northern Italy’s most celebrated wine landscapes, from the rolling vineyards of Gavi and Barolo to hidden chocolate makers, medieval villages, ancient underground cellars, and one of Italy’s great culinary cities.

Destination

Piedmont & Northern Italy

Experience

Wine, Gastronomy & Culture
Chef-led insider travel

Piedmont through people, flavor, and place

Piedmont rewards those who take their time, offering a serene landscape of rolling hills, fog-draped vineyards, and stone villages. As you linger over lunch, explore underground cellars, and listen to winemakers’ tales, you discover the region’s depth. Jamie and Marcus have cultivated meaningful connections with local families, owners, and producers, rather than relying on tourism offices or reservation desks, which transforms the experience. The most unforgettable moments in Piedmont are often those not found in guidebooks.

 

What you’ll see

Milan gateway, Gavi, Alta Langa, Barolo, Langhe, Turin, Lake Orta, Roero, Northern Piedmont, and the hidden villages that make the region feel personal, layered, and alive.

What you’ll feel

Private winery visits, chef-led experiences, historic castles, underground wine caves, luxury countryside hotels, chocolate artisans, long lunches, Barolo and Alta Langa, aperitivo culture, small villages, and slow travel shaped by chef-led hospitality.

Scheduled & private travel

One hosted departure Private journeys by request

Join a hosted Piedmont departure, or ask us to design a private version for your own group.

Private custom travel depends on timing, producer availability, and group size.
Why VIP Winery Vacations is different

No giant buses
No tourism desks
No generic itineraries

Private winery experiences, producer relationships, owner introductions, family hospitality, long lunches, small groups, and insider access. Because often the owner becomes your guide.

City & Region Highlights

Winery Highlights

Restaurants & Culinary Highlights

Hotel Highlights

Michelin Dining, Paella & Extraordinary Culinary Experiences

Piedmont is tasted slowly

Expect chef-driven meals, vineyard lunches, long afternoons, and culinary moments shaped by the people, places, and traditions of Northern Italy.

Piemonte Wine, Gastronomy & Cultural Experience

  • Arrive in Milan and transfer to Lombardy’s tranquil countryside to start your adventure.
  • Experience Piedmont winemaking with a private tour and tasting of Calatroni Vini’s Metodo Classico sparkling wines, learning about local traditions.
  • Check into the charming Hotel Il Casale Denari, a restored villa amidst vineyards and hills.
  • Enjoy a welcome dinner of Lombard cuisine and local wines with fellow travelers.
  • Start your day in the peaceful Italian countryside with a classic breakfast of pastries, seasonal fruits, artisanal cheeses, and rich coffee.
  • Begin your Piedmont day at family-run Picollo Ernesto, producer of fine Gavi wines. Tour their vineyards and taste vibrant whites with local treats.
  • Visit Villa Sparina for an exclusive winery tour, gourmet lunch, and tasting of their signature Gavi di Gavi wines at their historic estate.
  • The luxurious Villa Sparina Hotel offers a blend of rustic charm and modern elegance for an overnight stay.
  • Private wine reception and intimate Piedmontese-inspired dinner.

Wine-region Map + Bottles VIP Winery Vacations  

  • Enjoy a Piedmontese breakfast with hazelnut cakes and local jams.
  • Visit the iconic G.D. Vajra Winery in Barolo, known for blending tradition and innovation. Tour the cellars, learn about their sustainability efforts, and enjoy a Barolo wine-paired lunch.
  • Visit Vietti, a historic Barolo producer, to taste their single-vineyard wines and discover their artistry.
  • Check into the refined Corte Gondina Boutique Hotel in La Morra, Barolo.
  • Enjoy a relaxed dinner at the cozy Vinbar with Barolo wines and local specialties like tajarin pasta and agnolotti del plin.

Large botti, warm cellar

  • Enjoy a relaxed breakfast with fresh bread, cured meats, and cappuccinos.
  • Begin your Piedmont wine tour at Battaglio, a family-owned producer of elegant Nebbiolo wines. Explore their scenic vineyards and enjoy a tasting in their cozy room.
  • Visit Cantina del Pino, a historic estate renowned for its terroir-driven Barbaresco.
  • End your Piedmont day at Barbaresco’s Marchesi di Grésy. Tour the Martinenga vineyard, followed by an early dinner with the estate’s wine pairings.
  • Return to the hotel to relax and think about the memorable day.

Barbaresco sign

  • Enjoy a day of indulgence starting with a sumptuous breakfast.
  • Visit the historic Casa E. di Mirafiore winery for a guided tasting of their exceptional Barolo and Barbera wines, followed by a gourmet lunch with local ingredients.
  • Visit Borgogno, a historic Barolo winery, for an afternoon cellar tour and an elegant estate dinner featuring their renowned Barolo wines.
  • Check into the cozy, immersive boutique accommodations at Casa Borgogno.

Historic Barolo and Borgogno

  • Start your day with a leisurely breakfast before departing.
  • Explore the Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba (Alba White Truffle Market) with its truffle stalls, artisan products, and lively atmosphere.
  • Enjoy a modern fine dining experience at Michelin-starred Il Cascinalenuovo in Asti, known for its innovative Piedmontese cuisine.
  • Explore Asti’s historic streets after lunch, visiting the Asti Cathedral, Torre Troyana, and Piazza Alfieri.
  • Relax at your hotel for a peaceful evening.

Cheese Counter Cheese Counter

  • Enjoy your last breakfast at Casa Borgogno before departing for Turin.
  • Visit the Turin Cathedral to see the Shroud of Turin.
  • Explore Turin’s historic center and its vibrant large market.
  • Sample Turin’s renowned chocolate at Guido Gobino and Peyrano, indulging in gianduja and other treats.
  • Near Turin, explore this innovative brewery famous for its sour and wild-fermented beers.
  • Enjoy aperitivo at Baratti & Milano, then have a cozy dinner at the authentic osteria Antiche Sere.
  • Stay overnight at the luxurious Grand Hotel Sitea in Turin’s
    central location.

 

  • Begin your last full day in Turin with breakfast.
  • Exclusive Nebbiolo tasting and lunch at the boutique winery Le Piane in Boca.
  • Return to Milan and check into the elegant Hotel Manzoni in the Centro district.
  • Conclude your trip with a farewell dinner at Osteria La Vecchia Lira, an intimate Italian restaurant.

Boca and Milan  

  • Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before your transfer to Milan airport, concluding your unforgettable Italian adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

This isn’t a packaged group tour. Marcus & Jamie Guiliano have personally built relationships with 350+ wineries across Europe and North America since 2003. The estates we visit in Piedmont are friends and long-standing partners — boutique Barolo and Barbaresco producers who open their cellars exclusively for our group. You get private tastings, winemaker-hosted lunches, and Slow Food culture in its birthplace — hosted by a chef, not a tour guide.

The heart of the experience is in Piedmont (Piemonte) — Barolo, Barbaresco, Alba, and the Langhe hills. We also explore Lombardy’s Franciacorta sparkling wine region. Milan is not part of the main tour, but you can extend your stay before or after to explore the city on your own.

Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Moscato, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Franciacorta — plus rare small-production wines rarely available in the U.S. Many tastings include verticals and cellar selections. All visits are private.

Boutique hotel accommodations, all private winery visits and tastings, winemaker-hosted experiences, all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), all wine and beverages during hosted meals, ground transportation during official tour dates, chef-hosted guidance, and cultural excursions. Not included: airfare, travel insurance, personal purchases, wine shipping, and shopping.

Approximately 10 guests. Small enough for intimacy, large enough for vibrant conversation. We never merge with other groups, operate bus tours, or conduct public tastings. Every experience is curated exclusively for our group.

Food and wine lovers who want depth, travelers who value access over attractions, couples and solo travelers, beginners and serious collectors, and anyone who wants to travel with a chef. We’ve even hosted guests who don’t drink alcohol — the culinary and cultural experience stands on its own. No snobbery, no intimidation.

Moderate. We walk through vineyards, medieval hill towns, and historic centers. There are cobblestones and stairs. If you have mobility concerns, we’ll discuss honestly whether this is the right fit.

Yes — vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergies. As restaurateurs, food logistics are second nature to us. Planning happens in advance to ensure seamless hospitality.

We help coordinate shipping directly with producers when possible. We can also assist in sourcing wines through trusted New York retailers even after you return — sometimes for years following the trip. The relationships continue.

Late April and early May offer green vineyards, fewer tourists, ideal temperatures, seasonal cuisine, and vibrant countryside energy. Spring in Piedmont feels intimate and alive — the perfect setting for a wine-focused Italy vacation.

The Piedmont Wine Tour 2026 runs April 25 – May 3, 2026. A $500 per person deposit secures your room. Spots are limited and typically fill through our email list and returning guests. Contact Marcus at (845) 800-0449 or marcus@marcusguiliano.com to schedule a call and review room options.

Request an invitation

Begin the Conversation

Every VIP Winery Vacations departure begins with a private consultation.

We learn how you prefer to travel, what regions interest you, and what level of immersion you seek. European cellars. Agave fields at their source. Producer homes no visitor has seen before.

Each winery vacation package is built from the conversation — never from a catalog. Planned personally. Managed by the same people who pour your wine at the estate.

Only once we understand your expectations do we extend an invitation to join an upcoming departure.

A Personal Invitation from Chef Marcus