Fortunago
Park the car and stretch your legs in this impeccably restored stone village clinging to the hillside. Grab a quick macchiato at the local café and wander the quiet, steep alleys where the only sound is the wind through the valley.
Tenuta Mazzolino
This is where Italian terroir meets French winemaking sensibility. Tour the elegant estate, walk through the manicured gardens, and pick up a bottle or two of their exceptional, clay-grown Pinot Nero.
Ristorante Prato Gaio
The antithesis of a highway pitstop. Chef Giorgio Liberti turns out elevated Oltrepò classics—think hand-pinched agnolotti and perfectly cured local coppa—paired with a stellar list of independent regional wines.
Varzi
Before heading back to the city, lose yourself in Varzi's labyrinth of medieval stone arcades. Stop by a local bottega to buy some of their famous DOP salami, then enjoy a final espresso with a view of the Staffora river basin.
