Barolo Wine Tours: Tasting Barolo & Barbaresco in the Langhe
Barolo wine tours in the Langhe: Barolo vs Barbaresco, the best villages, day trips from Alba and Turin, the harvest and truffle season, and how to book.
The short version: a Barolo wine tour takes you into the Langhe hills of Piedmont, a UNESCO landscape of vineyards and hilltop villages, to taste Nebbiolo in its two greatest forms: Barolo and Barbaresco. Base yourself in Alba (most tours start there) or go as a day trip from Turin, about an hour away. Autumn is the best time of all: the harvest, the fog over the vines and the white truffle season. Here is what to taste and how to book.
At a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where | The Langhe: La Morra, Barolo, Monforte d’Alba, Serralunga d’Alba, Barbaresco, Neive |
| Grape | Nebbiolo, plus Barbera and Dolcetto; Arneis white from the Roero |
| Base | Alba, or a day trip from Turin (about 1 hour) |
| Format | Half-day tastings, full days with 2 or 3 wineries, private sommelier tours, Vespa and e-bike tours |
| Best season | September to November: harvest and white truffles |
Barolo vs Barbaresco
Both are made from Nebbiolo, a pale but powerful grape with aromas of roses, cherries and tar. Barolo, from the villages southwest of Alba, must age at least 38 months (18 in wood) and is the bigger, more structured wine, built to age for decades. Barbaresco, from the villages northeast of Alba, ages at least 26 months and is often more elegant and approachable young. Most tours taste both, alongside everyday Barbera and Dolcetto, which locals drink with dinner.
How a Barolo tour works
Tours usually visit two or three family wineries, often with a lunch of tajarin and vitello tonnato in between, and a stop at a viewpoint in La Morra. Book at least a day ahead, because wineries confirm visits by appointment. In October and November, add a truffle hunt in Piedmont during the Alba white truffle season, and see what to eat in Piedmont.
Our pick: the Alba: Barolo and Barbaresco Wine Tour is a private, chauffeured day from Alba with two winery visits and tastings. Coming from Turin? The From Turin: Barolo and Barbaresco Tasting Tour covers both wines in a day.
Compare all the regions: the best wine tours in Italy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Barolo and Barbaresco?
Both are Nebbiolo from the Langhe. Barolo ages longer (at least 38 months) and is more powerful; Barbaresco ages at least 26 months and is usually more elegant.
Can you do a Barolo wine tour from Turin?
Yes. The Langhe is about an hour from Turin, and full-day tours from the city visit Barolo and Barbaresco wineries.
When is the best time for a Barolo wine tour?
September to November, for the harvest, the autumn colours and the white truffle season in Alba.
Book a Barolo wine tour
Compare Barolo and Barbaresco wine tours in the Langhe, or Barolo wine tours from Turin.
