Piemonte — Vento Marino

Discover the pleasures of rural Italian life;

Connection to the land, Passion for eating well and Respect for gastronomy as a cultural expression that supports quality artisan production. Often long forgotten in the rush for the modern day holiday, these are some of the values celebrated at our Agriturismo and vineyard apartments set in the magnificent Monferrato, Unesco World Heritage site.

Agriturismo Bricco San Giovanni

Agriturismo- a combination of the words for "agriculture" and " tourism" in Italian encourages you to experience a different kind of Italy. The word "Bricco" is a term used in local dialect to refer to a summit or highest point.

Perched high on a hill near the sleepy town of Isola d'Asti, you'll find Bricco San Giovanni, a gorgeous 19th century farm house ensconced in the rolling Barbera vines of our privately owned Moretti Adimari Vineyard. Unlike our beach property in Paros where everything is state of the art, the "Bricco" has that wonderful charm of a traditional rural Italian farmstead that is becoming ever more difficult to find. Twelve spacious and spotless en-suite bedrooms are available on a B&B basis with a daily option of dinner in the evenings depending on availability. The rooms are uncluttered and original, featuring traditional decor with cool tiled floors and wrought iron bead-steads. This charming simplicity should not be underestimated as you'll find everything you need to enjoy your stay, from hairdryers to pool towels.

Various lounges are scattered throughout the property, providing cosy corners in which to retreat with a book or to watch TV. Large breezy terraces hug the farmhouse on three sides providing dramatic views of the rolling hills set against the snowy backdrop of the Alps. Peace and tranquillity are in abundance here.

Candle lit dinners are most definitely a highlight at the Agriturismo and during summer months are served Al Fresco on the terrace, as the sun's last rays linger on the vines; the very essence of La Dolce Vita. Sip an aperitif accompanied by the chirruping of crickets and slow drone of the bees in the flowers as you watch the spectacular panorama of the sunset sky. Our talented cook never fails to delight with a daily menu showcasing the best seasonal and regional delicacies; rich pasta sauces, tajarin with black truffles, brasato al barolo and wild boar in season. In the cooler months, meals are enjoyed in the large rustic dining hall boasting a roaring fire, in front of which we invite you to retire with a digestif.

Start the day with a feast of homemade cakes, jams and juices, alongside fresh local breads, cheese and fruit. From there you can plan how to spend the sun drenched hours. For some that may be relaxing by our beautiful pool immersed in the vines. Others will day trip to the crystal waters of the Ligurian coast and maybe spend the day in Portofino. The local town of Bra (headquarters for the Slow Food movement) is an essential appointment for all foodie tourists, where every two years you'll find the biggest collection of quality cheese in the country. The white truffle fair in nearby Alba also attracts interest from around the world every October. There is a 350 year old romance between the Piemontesi and Chocolate, making them leaders in the industry, a love affair that should be celebrated by all!

Those is search of culture will be particularly spoilt for choice by the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato (Unesco World Heritage Site), with their rich tapestry of ancient villages, castles and monuments. The City of Turin is less than an hour’s car drive away, an easy day trip that allows you to visit historic sites such as the Venaria Reale, Egyptian Museum (2nd largest after Cairo) and Royal Palace of the Savoy.

You'll also have a unique chance to meet the winemakers at the Moretti Adimari vineyard and spend quality time among the vines and in the cellars. Freddi Moretti-Adimari and his team have won many awards for producing wines of international quality and excellence. Wine tastings and tours are an intimate experience in which you'll learn about the Barbera grape in it's birthplace.

An easy distance from both Milan and Turin airport means you can be here before the wine has even finished chilling....cheers!

Self Catering Vineyard Apartments

Larger groups and families will enjoy the independence of our beautiful holiday apartments which are a short walk from the "Bricco". These apartments enjoy a privileged position overlooking the vineyard. There are four modern and well appointed apartments ranging from one to two bedrooms with the possibility of sleeping up to 6. Each accomodation has an ample kitchen, large dining table and dedicated outside seating and patio furniture. Cook up a storm and eat under the stars. A large supermarket is 3.5 km away for total convenience however there is a great variety of local markets and Isola d'Asti has an excellent butcher and baker with dangerously delicious produce. Guests staying in the apartments also have exclusive use of the spectacular infinity pool with it's privileged position above the vines.

Lie back and relax in the sun, soaking up the silence interrupted on occasion by the distant rumble of agricultural machinery in the fields.

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