Wine and Dine at the Villa San Carlo
Cortemilia, Piedmont

About the location: Nestled in the heart of Cortemilia, in the center of the wild countryside of the upper Langhe, you will find the very special Villa San Carlo. This is the perfect place to enjoy a completely relaxing and delicious culinary vacation. On the one hand, the chance to surround yourself with spectacular, unspoiled countryside, and engage in numerous open-air activities; on the other, the opportunity to relish the delights of this area’s famed food and wine.

The local gastronomy owes its reputation to typical Piedmontese delicacies, the most famous of all being the highly prized White Truffle of Alba. Then there is the “Tonda Gentile della Langhe” (a variety of hazelnut), cheeses such as Murrazzano and Toma delle Langhe, cured meats and recipes that are synonymous with the Piedmont region, which you will learn to create during your hands-on cooking courses under the direction of talented chef and sommelier Carlo Zarri.

You will discover the beauty of the Langhe region with trips through the famous Barbaresco and Barolo wine growing regions. You will stroll the streets of Alba and discover the Grinzane Cavour Castle. If you time your culinary tour just right, you just might find yourself hunting for those very special truffles with a local trifulao who will lead you right to your prize.

About the accommodation: Your three-night culinary vacation at the deluxe family-run Villa San Carlo will include the warmth and welcome you might expect from a guest room when staying with friends. The rooms are large, bright, and comfortably furnished. You will be able to relax in a large, private, and well cared for inner garden, where there is also a swimming pool hidden away amidst the trees.

About the cookery courses and restaurant: the Villa San Carlo’s proprietor, chef, and sommelier, Carlo Zarri, is very strongly attached to his local roots and feels a love for his work that has been handed down through four generations of hoteliers and restaurant owners. He treats guests to traditional Piedmontese recipes that are made quite unique by the passion that inspires him, and the creativity he uses to add and enhance the local country cooking. Your daily cooking lessons following breakfast will be under the direction of this master located in the kitchen of the Villa San Carlo restaurant. The restaurant is small – seats just 25 diners, in lovely, elegant surroundings. Ristorante San Carlo has played host to many stars from the world of entertainment and has received many accolades, from Best Restaurant ’95 in the national “Hotel of the Year” awards to Mr. Zarri himself being nominated an “Ambassador for Italian Wine” in 2001. You will be sure to leave the Villa San Carlo knowing the secrets to recreating the delicious Piedmontese recipes that you will prepare while enjoying your cooking vacation in Piedmont.