Monferrato: a territory to discover

Wine Museum

The history of the Ferraris Cellars, located in Castagnole Monferrato, is a family tradition that began back in 1921 with the purchase of the house, where the historic cellars are still located today, and the first lands for cultivation of vineyards. Over the years the company has grown by expanding production and making known Ruchè in Italy and in the world.

In the center of the village, inside the historic family winery, it is possible to visit the Museum.. A place used for the production of wine for over three centuries that today tells the story of the family through the exhibition of ancient instruments used both in the cellar and in the vineyards. In the Wine Museum it is also possible to admire a typical "infernot", dug by hand in the tuff.

Grazzano Badoglio and the Lands of Aleramo

The town of Grazzano Badoglio and the tomb of Aleramo are worth a visit. The tomb of Aleramo is located inside the Abbey he founded in 961 and entrusted to the Benedictine monks for over four centuries. Today it is possible to admire some parts of the ancient construction: the bell tower, the cloister and the octagonal apse. The present church dates back to the 16th century.

Bicycle lovers can follow a circular route that from Moncalvo, through villages and vineyards, reaches Grazzano Badoglio passing through Calliano, Casorzo, Vignale Monferrato, Olivola.

the Museum of Grappa - Altavilla Monferrato

Just 10 km from Castagnole - 12 minutes by car or two-hour on foot - passing through Montemagno, you come across the medieval village of Altavilla Monferrato. Here is the Grappa Museum in the Antica Distilleria of Altavilla. The Museum tells the story of the activity of the Mazzetti family, owner of the Distillery, which has been going on for 6 generations.

See the route on Google Maps

Serralunga di Crea Sanctuary - 21 km

Located on one of the highest hills of the Monferrato, at 400 m above the sea level, the sanctuary owes its birth to the bishop of Vercelli, Sant'Eusebio, who in the 350 created an oratory dedicated to the Holy Virgin. Some years later he would have brought, probably from Palestine, three statues of the Madonna, one placed at Crea and the other two at Oropa and in Sardinia. It was only in the 11th century that was built the first church to welcome the pilgrims and guard the wooden statue that is still venerated.

Next to the shrine there is the Sacro Monte. In a forest of oaks and ash trees, in 1589, 23 chapels and 5 hermitages were built. In each chapel there is a mystery of the Rosary. At the top of the hill is the Chapel of Paradise.

With other Sacred Mountains of Piedmont and Lombardy, it was included in 2003 by UNESCO in the list of the heritages of humanity.

Castle of Uviglie - Rosignano Monferrato - 21 km

 https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Torrione_meridionale_Castello_di_Uviglie.jpg

From the medieval period, today the castle is a typical noble holiday residence in which it is possible to admire splendid frescoes. It is surrounded by a vast park in which rare and exotic species are present, so much so that it is included among the "historical gardens of botanical interest" of the Piedmont Region. The Castle is also known for its historic cellars, with the infernots, typical buildings carved into the tuff for the preservation of fine wine and an exhibition of historic bottles.

La Torre e il Fiume Museum - Masio - 20 km

Located on the border between the provinces of Asti and Alessandria, the historic core of Masio rises on top of a hill overlooking the Tanaro Valley and the Tiglione Valley. The symbol of the village is the ancient medieval tower from the 12th century, 27 meters high and recently restored. The Tower houses the Museum that develops in height following the 7 floors of the building, telling the history of the town and the towers of the territory. And arrived at the top .... you can admire a breathtaking view of the Monferrato and the river.

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Torre_Masio.jpg