If you’re thinking of an enogastronomic tour in Piedmont, there are alternatives to the overexposed Langhe and the Roero area: the Monferrato zone is a gem that few people frequent but that deserves attention thanks to vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see, villages that look like film sets, and fairy-tale castles where you can stop to sample a fine glass of wine and other delicious local specialties.
With a slow 3-day itinerary you can explore the territory that spans the provinces of Asti and Alessandria along a wine road still to be discovered. A perfect destination for a romantic weekend with your preferred companion, it offers beauty to be lived all year round, with a particular magic in autumn and spring.
Recommended 3-Day Itinerary
Three days and three moods that run as a through-line: here is the recommended itinerary for a long weekend to discover the Monferrato. You’ll just need to book a few winery visits, tastings, and entry tickets to the castles to uncover Casale, the Astigiano area up to the Ovadese.
Here is a wine and food itinerary of Monferrato, perfect for a weekend:
- Day 1. Depart from Casale Monferrato: a stroll through the town center and an initial tasting of krumiri are the right way to enter the mood. Head toward Ozzano Monferrato, whose historic center is dominated by the castle, then reach Cella Monte, a cantoni-stone village. Visit the Ecomuseum and, if possible, an infernot, the small cave carved into rock. Last stop in Rosignano Monferrato, among panoramic views and the Castle of Uviglie, where history and tasting can be combined. Conclude the day with a dinner based on agnolotti and Grignolino;
- Day 2. From Rosignano you head to Cereseto to admire from the outside its dramatic castle, then continue to Moncalvo, the smallest city in Italy. Between squares, towers and shops, it’s perfect for a lunch devoted to local flavors, especially during the truffle season. In the afternoon head to Cocconato, the “Riviera of Monferrato”: stroll beneath the arcades, seek out the ancient shops, and taste robiola and other local specialties. End the day with a sunset over the hills: no filter needed;
- Day 3. Dedicate the final day to the Alto Monferrato, planning a longer transfer than the previous days. Start from Tagliolo Monferrato, where the castle houses historic cellars and medieval atmospheres; continue to Trisobbio, gathered around its fortress and surrounded by hills. Last stop: reach Gavi, homeland of the famous DOCG white. Visit the village, admire the imposing Forte di Gavi, and toast with a in-cantina tasting.
The Villages of Monferrato to Visit
Which are the most beautiful villages of Monferrato? There are genuine wonders to discover thanks to a map rich with small towns that deserve a visit; we’ve selected the most evocative ones with which it’s easy to craft a 3-day weekend loop itinerary.
Cella Monte captivates with honey-colored façades, infernot, and alleys perfect for getting lost, while Rosignano is a supremely romantic gem perched on a sandstone cliff. In this place don’t miss the Civic Tower and the small squares, along with numerous viewpoints over the vineyards. Incredibly beautiful is also Moncalvo, a small medieval star with remnants of fortifications, the Church of Saint Francis, and a gastronomic tradition where truffle is the absolute protagonist. Cocconato, on the other hand, combines Gothic arcades, historic palaces, and unforgettable flavors such as the famous ricotta.
Those seeking a quieter and more intimate side might consider Ozzano Monferrato with its panoramas and memories of the old cement mines. If there were the possibility to add another day, we recommend incorporating into the itinerary Garbagna, with its tree-lined square, and Volpedo, where you enter the world of Giuseppe Pellizza and the unforgettable Fourth Estate.
Castles to Visit
Far from fantasy backdrops: in the Monferrato, castles are real and tell centuries of borders, noble families, and rural life. The Castle of Uviglie, in Rosignano, brings together towers, greenery, and historic cellars: the ideal combo for culture with a final sip in the glass. The Castle of Tagliolo preserves a lived-in charm, between ancient walls, wine production, and the possibility of staying in period settings. The Castle of Trisobbio dominates the village like in a postcard, while the Castle of Cereseto is a spectacle even from the outside.
In the north of the area the Castle of Camino deserves attention, perched on the hills and overlooking the Po valley. In Gavi, the focal point shifts: the Fortress is an imposing military architecture, perfect for those who love panoramas and legends. According to tradition there is the ghost of Gavina roaming with its own aura among the castle’s wings. Want to extend the journey? Mark the Castle of Sannazzaro and that of Piovera as possible additional stops. Before setting out, check opening hours and access: some buildings are guest accommodations or accessible only on specific dates.
The Monferrato Wine Road
Even the Monferrato has its own wine road, stretching for 700 kilometers of scenic routes with four thematic itineraries: the Grignolino route in Casalese, the Rivers of Wine route in the plains; the Aromatic Route in Acquese; and the Dolcetto Route in Ovadese.
- Grignolino Road. About 241 km, 8 stops. It crosses Monferrato Casalese and part of the Astigiano, among hills covered with vineyards and small villages. Towns to discover include Moncalvo, Olivola, Ottiglio, Ponzano Monferrato, and Sala Monferrato. The protagonist is Grignolino, an elegant, fresh and spicy red, perfect to sample in local cellars;
- Rivers and Wine Road. About 125 km, 4 stops. An itinerary that changes landscape at every bend, moving from the hills to the Alessandrian plains. The route starts from the Cuccaro Monferrato area and reaches Castelnuovo Bormida, following the lands crossed by the Tanaro, Bormida and Belbo rivers. Between rural villages, fields, and vineyards, it’s the perfect choice to discover the more authentic and lesser-known side of Monferrato;
- Aromatic Route. About 230 km, 8 stops. Welcome to the realm of fragrant wines! The route crosses Alto Monferrato, from Castelnuovo Bormida to Cassine, in the Acquese territory. Highlights include Strevi, famous for its Passito, and Fontanile, with its painted houses. In the glass? Brachetto d’Acqui, Moscato, and aromatic wines to pair with local sweets;
- Dolcetto Route. About 108 km, 4 stops. The itinerary crosses the hills of Ovadese along four sections: Cassinelle–Carpeneto, Carpeneto–Mornese, Mornese–Cadegualchi and Cadegualchi–Gavi. Among castles, woods, and vineyards, the protagonist is Dolcetto d’Ovada, a red with a bold character. And at the end in Gavi? A toast with the famous white DOCG is practically mandatory.
Flavors Not to Miss
What to eat and drink during the Monferrato enogastronomic tour? Appetite kicks in as soon as you’re done with breakfast. It starts with agnolotti, little stuffed-pasta parcels to try with roast sauce or butter and sage. Then comes bagna cauda, an anchovy- and garlic-based dip for vegetables: convivial, intense, and impossible to forget.
The fritto misto alla piemontese surprises with its mix of savory and sweet bites, while the bollito misto calls for sauces like bagnetto verde. In autumn the star is the truffle, especially around Moncalvo: a shaving is enough to turn a simple dish into an event.
Also to include in the food tour are Cocconato robiola, Muletta (a typical cured meat), and cugnà, a preparation based on grape must and fruit. If you’re after rustic fare, try friciulin, vegetable or herb fritters. And for dessert? Krumiri from Casale Monferrato are a must, perhaps with a soft zabaglione; bunet, a cocoa and almond biscotto pudding, ends the meal in style.
For wine lovers there is plenty to discover: you start with Barbera, which in this area has a lively and fruity character, while Dolcetto d’Alba makes a great companion to traditional dishes; there’s also Gavi DOCG produced from Cortese grapes, delivering freshness and mineral notes. Sparkling wine lovers will instead appreciate Moscato and Brachetto d’Acqui.
