Walk in Italian nature and art...

We spent most of the day taking long walks around the vineyard and the surrounding rolling hills. Everything was still green from the recent rain. I felt like I was more in Bali, Indonesia than Northern Italy. When we arrived back at the B&B, Mario gave us a tour of his other passion, pottery. He uses the same technique as they did in the Middle Ages. He is part of an artist community that promotes art installations in nature rather than in a stuffy gallery with artificial light source. Mario even makes his own soap to benefit his art installations.

Vine, vino, vin.....

The first thing Mario does when guests arrive at Il Bosso delle Terracotte is pour them a glass of his home made wine. I found it to be very young and well, tart. Jp said it was too 'wild' for his taste. I tend to think things taste better when they are home made no matter how bad they may be. Maybe it has to do with the less added preservatives or sulfites. In any case, Mario gave me a tour of his wine cellar which was more of a room inside a storage space than a real chai. Mario is trying very hard to keep the winery financially afloat so that is how he came up with his 'Adopt-a -Vineyard' campaign. There was something so peaceful about the Il Bosso delle Terrecotte. It is a choice of lifestyle but to do it with such passion and organization really impressed me about Mario and Silvia.

Take me to the Po

Our final stop was going to be an ecological B&B called, Il Bosco delle Terracotte. This was not your average B&B but a total ecological adventure. Twelve years ago Marco and Silvia left the hectic life of Turin to settle in the rolling hills near Barge. They restored an 18th century farmhouse, took over an over grown vineyard, and became loving owners to the wild outdoors. Marco had a "Adopt-A Vineyard' plan where one can donate 100 euros and become a collective owner of his vine. He is also an artist and formed the Cultural Association, Sassi Vivaci, in attempt to promote art through nature. It took us a while to figure out how to get to Bosco delle Terracotte since the Italians are not too good with giving directions. But when we drove through the kiwi vines we knew we were in for something 'special'.

Getting to the serious stuff....

One can not pass through the Barolo wine region without buying some of their powerful vino.

I am also a fan of the lighter Dolcetta d'Alba. We stopped off at the Domain Marchesi Di Barolo.

They also had an assortment of dried pasta and pickled porcini mushrooms. I was in heaven when I asked me husband, 'what's for lunch?'

Direction ALBA: Black Diamond and Barolo Wine Country

After a several days of idyllic existence at Casa Cambi, my husband and I head over to the land of delicious encounters: truffles and earthy Barolo wine. Unfortunately, we are out of the loop for white truffle season since the summer truffles are already long gone and the winter truffles are still hibernating somewhere near a friendly oak tree. We stop and rest our bags in Alba. Tonight is my birthday so we ask the concierge for a "special" restaurant. Since we have been in Italy, we have not had a bad meal. There is a speciality pasta the Piedmont region called, Tajarin. It is like fettuccine but half the width...They pair it the simplest tomato sauce that I have yet to duplicate to their perfection. I have become addicted to their Tajarin pasta. Is this a bad thing?

Still Hanging at CASA CAMBI

We just spent one night at the b&B but since it was far into the mountains we decided just to hang out and take a few long walks. They served a delicious home made dinner at night with pasta and fish. Just a little bit of heaven!

Onward Soldiers!

Once we hit San Remo, the GPS told us to go north up towards the Italian alps. Our goal was to find Montevecchio. A small 15th century town that is still 'in it juice'. Like a medieval town, one cannot see it from the exterior since it is hidden behind it's own fortress. There was no way we could even drive our 4x4 vehicle through its narrow streets. So we called the Casa Cambi number and common to many European establishments, it was closed till 3:30. We went back to our car and lo and behold was an elegant woman asking for us by name. She was the owner of the B&B and wanted to escort our baggage to our rooms. We finally made it to the Casa Cambi. Instantly, we were under it's charming spell. I felt like I was being transported back to a time pre computers, pre mobile phones , and pre everything. Think old men hanging out in vacant storefronts playing their cards and drinking wine. Think small children playing together in the town square park where the parents looked on from the local cafe. I find the Italians so friendly compared to the French. Jp and I hung out by the back garden while unpacking our bags and letting the dog sniff the new surroundings. Pure heaven, indeed!