The Langhe is an area of southern Piedmont known for its superb wine, mushrooms, cheese, hazelnuts, and above all, truffles. Here, gentle hills are lined with rows of vineyards and crested by small, medieval villages. Noble wines like Barolo and Barbaresco provide delicious accompaniment to a cuisine that combines the simplicity of farmhouse cooking with noble dishes. Virtually untouched by mainstream tourism, the area reminds one of Tuscany without the crowds.

For four generations the Zarri family has offered guests warm Piedmontese hospitality, incredible cuisine, and wines that cannot be found anywhere else. Their unassuming inn is mostly known by Italians, who go there for its award winning wine cellar (one of the best in Italy) and multi-course meals that feature the best that the region has to offer.

We invite you to taste real Piedmont, staying in a family owned hotel and learning to cook traditional dishes with a creative twist. Your host and instructor for the four day tour is Owner Carlo Zarri, who served as chef and manager for the Italian delegation at the Olympic games in Athens. He also had the recent honor of organizing the wedding dinner for Sophia Loren's eldest son. Carlo leads hands-on lessons in the restaurant kitchen and as Ambassador of Italian Wines, will introduce you to Italy's finest.With free time in the afternoons, there is plenty of time to set off on your own to visit towns such as Barbaresco, Barolo and Alba.

Day One

Afternoon arrival in Cortemilia, a small town set in the heart of Piedmont's Langhe province.

Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner featuring regional specialties which may include veal carpaccio, asparagus tart, nettle ravioli, beef braised in Barolo wine, and homemade biscotti.

Day Two

Morning cooking lesson in the restaurant kitchen. Today's menu may include such dishes as: celery salad with Tuma cheese and hazelnuts, Piedmontese potato gnocchi with fresh tomato sauce, veal filet in Barolo wine sauce, and hazelnut cake

Enjoy what you've prepared with the chef in the kitchen.

Afternoon sightseeing with your own car to Alba and Barbaresco. Visit a famous wine cellar and enjoy a wine tasting.

Dinner at Villa San Carlo

Day Three

Morning cooking lesson featuring such dishes as: chicken farmer's salad, traditional hand-made ravioli, rabbit fillet with olives and pine nuts, Grandmother's pudding. Enjoy the dishes with the chef in the kitchen.

Afternoon sightseeing in your own car, driving to Barolo along the hazelnuts road. Visit the Grinzane Cavour castle and another wine cellar before returning to the hotel.

Dinner at Villa San Carlo.

Day Four

Morning check out after breakfast.