Piedmont may be one of Italy’s most surprising regions; nestled in the northwest corner of the country, it borders Switzerland and France, along with the sunny Liguria region to the south. It is known not only for its bustling and beautiful capital city of Turin, but is also home to some of the most famous wine and cuisine in all of Italy (which is really saying something).
But with so many charming towns in the region, from Alba to Asti, it can be difficult to decide which to make your home base. Luckily, the decision became much easier with the opening in summer 2021 of five-star Casa di Langa in the teeny commune of Cerretto Langhe. Surrounded by over 100 acres of vineyards, hazelnut trees, and vegetable and fruit gardens, the 39-room resort brings a new level of elegance, high-touch service, and sustainability to the bucolic Piedmont region.
The property is especially notable for its ability to marry luxury with truly green (not greenwashing) practices. A member of the exclusive Beyond Green group, Casa di Langa underwent a vigorous onsite property inspection that included 54 sustainable tourism criteria, like a carbon emission reduction plan, elimination of single-use plastics, and committing to protecting the natural landscape. But inside your room, which features smooth oak paneling with accents of stone, leather, and glass, and a sprawling king-sized bed planted in the center of the space, there is no sense of privation. Rather, it is a thoughtful, minimalist, and comforting space; an ideal respite after a long day of wine tasting or truffle hunting nearby. Similarly, the food at on-site restaurant Fàula—much of which is sourced from the hotel’s gardens—proves that eating locally and sustainably may be the most delicious menu of all. The house-made tajarin pasta—a specialty of the region—may be the platonic ideal of a noodle: Springy, yet tender, and golden yellow from the inimitable Italian egg yolks.
And while most visitors flock to this region for its superb and wide array of vineyards, or the chance to hunt for white and black truffles with a Lagotto Romagnolo dog (the hotel can arrange experiences for both of these, naturally), there is also plenty to do without ever leaving the property. Wine concierges can guide you through a tasting of many local varietals in the sleek tasting room; you can tour the herb garden before learning how to make the traditional cuisine of the Langhe region of Piedmont in a cooking class; or you can recharge body and mind with a service at Lelòse Spa & Wellness, like the ultra-purifying body scrub.
Also, you could do none of these things at all. One of the best features of this property is its hillside perch, from which you can see the verdant vineyards and fields spilling out in front of you. In the morning, as a soft mist burns up in sync with the sunrise, there are few places more beautiful than your room’s private terrace.
Top Takeaways:
Location: Cerretto Langhe, Italy
The Vibe: Minimalist and modern inside the rooms, but public spaces are cozy, lively, and communal
Rating: Five-star
Our favorite thing about the hotel: The uber-chic wine tasting room, surrounded by hundreds of bottles from around the world
Food + Drink: Italian regional cuisine at Fàula Ristorante; global wines at Sorì Cocktail Bar
Amenities: Outdoor infinity pool, indoor hot tub, gym, small spa
Any Neighborhood Recs?: The historic town of Alba, the wine regions of Barolo and Barbaresco
Rooms: 39 rooms, each of which boasts a private terrace
Pricing: Rates start at $395
Nearest Airport: Torino Airport, about a one hour and 45 minute drive
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