THE WHITE TRUFFLE ADVENTURE 7 -14 NOVEMBER 2021

SUNDAY, 7 NOVEMBER

In the morning, we gather in Milan, at the Malpensa airport or in the city, depending on your preference and prior schedule. We then depart for Lago Maggiore and to the Villa Aminta on the shores of that magnificent lake and on the outskirts of the charming town of Stresa. After check-in, a light lunch precedes an afternoon boat tour of the mysterious islands of Lago Maggiore with a local guide. We will dine that evening in one of the excellent restaurants at Villa Aminta, in the company of one of Neal’s local growers.

MONDAY, 8 NOVEMBER

After breakfast at Villa Aminta, we visit with the Rovellotti family, the most important grower in the small but prestigious appellation of Ghemme. While there, we taste wine, perhaps tour the vineyards if weather permits and walk through the ancient ricetto, the walled fortification that protected the public during times of invasion but now houses much of the Rovellotti production. We depart Ghemme stopping in the town of Arona, on the shore of Lago Maggiore, for a quick lunch before visiting the cheese caves of Luigi Guffanti. This fabled affineur of cheeses is world-renowned. An explanation of the processes and tour of the cellars precedes a tasting of the cheeses. A relaxing late afternoon break at Villa Aminta will leave us refreshed for our dinner at La Capuccina, an agriturismo where much of the ingredients for that night’s dinner will have been produced. A deep wine list full of local treasures is a highlight of the evening. Again, we will have the pleasure of intimate conversation with another of the fine producers that populate Neal’s portfolio.

TUESDAY, 9 NOVEMBER

We depart Villa Aminta after breakfast and head west, first stopping in at the cellars of Monsecco in Gattinara. The pride of the Zanetta family, Monsecco produces an exceptional Gattinara as well as the rare Sizzano. After tasting through a substantial range of wines produced by Monsecco, we will drive the steep roads to the summit of Gattinara where the “cru” vineyards of “Alice“ and “Osso” are situated, amongst the finest sites in the appellation. After our vineyard experience, we head northwest to Caluso in the district where will we meet Andrea Bianco, our local honeybee expert. A tasting of flower-specific, vintage-dated honeys follows with an explanation of this ancient craft. If hunger calls, we will make a stop in , an historic commercial center and former home of the Olivetti company. We then continue north to , the last village in the

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northwest corner of the before entering the Valle d’Aosta. If weather permits, we will walk the vineyards of Carema, in the shadow of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps. With the Ferrando family we will taste this most rare version of Nebbiolo while surrounded by the very vines that produce it. Sated, perhaps even exhausted, we take the short drive to Aosta where we check in at Le Reve Charmant, our exclusive B&B, in the historic center of this vibrant regional capital. That evening a scintillating array of wines from the Valle d’Aosta will be presented at the table with growers available to provide commentary.

WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER

Breakfast and perhaps a stroll around Aosta will prepare us for the short drive across the valley to visit the Grosjean family at their winery in Ollignan, a tiny hamlet above and to the east of the city of Aosta. Here, we will meet the extended Grosjean family as we taste their organic, biodynamic wines and visit their vineyards on the slopes overlooking Aosta. At the same time the Pavese family will join us to present their wines born from the highest slopes in the Alpine chain and also to introduce us to their polenta and potato production, more high-altitude artisanal delights. After that indulgence, we then head south to where we will check into the Principi di Piemonte in the center of this historic and beautiful city. A late afternoon guided walking tour of the city with particular attention to its exceptional architecture and history as home to the House of Savoy will precede dinner at one of our favorite tables, Scannabué.

THURSDAY, 11 NOVEMBER

Our first foray after breakfast is to the Castello di Rivoli, where we will have a guided tour of this influential center of contemporary art. Lunch will follow at the fine table of Consorzio with its classic Piemontese cuisine and exceptional wine list. From there we will walk to the nearby Museo Egizio to view its formidable collection of Egyptian art and artifacts. The evening might find us at either the Teatro Regio or the Teatro to experience a musical, dance, or dramatic performance in one of these storied theatres. A late supper, a Torinese tradition, will conclude the day’s activities

FRIDAY, 12 NOVEMBER A morning drive to the Langhe, home of the fabled white truffle, will begin with a stop at the TartufLanghe laboratory in Piobesi d’Alba. Here we will discover the secrets of the family that has revolutionized truffle production. TartufLanghe is an important partner to Rosenthal Wine Merchant and offers special access to the world of the truffle. We will lunch at a fine table in Alba accompanied by the Montanaro family. Deep and personal insight into the culture of the truffle will accompany our meal. Then, we will settle into La Ribezza in Monforte d’Alba, our hotel for the final two nights, to prepare for dinner at Osteria Tre Case with the Brovia family, famed producers of Barolo and longtime friends of Neal’s. A pre-dinner visit to the Brovia cantina with a tasting of wines from barrel will initiate a festive evening.

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SATURDAY, 13 NOVEMBER

An exciting day of activity beginning with a guided tour of the truffle market in Alba in the company of an expert from TartufLanghe. Then, weather permitting, we will go truffle hunting in the private holdings of the Montanaro family. The afternoon will be dedicated to wine as we discover the traditional wines of Barbaresco with visits to the De Forville estate in Barbaresco and the Ada Nada domain in Treiso . The final dinner will be at Al Biancospino, where Danilo Allochis will serve his masterfully creative food. We will share the table with Giordano Mazzariol and Alessandra Armato, who will present the very first pressings of the new olive oil from their property in the hills above Alassio in Liguria.

SUNDAY, 14 NOVEMBER

On the final morning of this journey, we will have a hearty breakfast and review the week’s highlights before making our way back to Milan for return to the US or other destinations

$9965 per person

No more than 8 participants (not including guides and support team)

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INCLUSIONS

- All meals & lodging as indicted in the program - Pick up and drop off in Milan - Access to all sites, theaters and museums as indicated in the program - Wine tastings and related visits as indicated in the program - Guided tours of towns, museums and sites as indicated in the program - English-speaking guides accompany the participants throughout the itinerary

EXCLUSIONS

- Personal travel and cancellation insurance - Any meal or service not listed in the program - Items and expenses of a personal nature - Airfare

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