Along the path of Barolo

The map of this walk can be bought at the Cantina Comunale of La Morra.

Our tour starts from the La Morra Communal Cellar. Once passed the church of St.Martin, with its impressive baroque facade, we walk on the lane that leads to the Bastioni, the ancient medieval walls. We arrive to the limit of town, and take the road to Cerequio-Fontanazza. We leave La Morra on this road: in front of us is the land of Barolo in its full splendour.

At the crossroad Fontanazza-Cerequio, we turn right. The road marks the limit of the La Serra and Brunate vineyards. Then it descends the side of the hill through the orchards and arrives in Cerequio.
Here between the quiet of the countryside there is a terrace and a monument to the youngs who died for freedom during the last World War.

Cerequio, with its land which is hard to work but crumbly between your fingers, is now free and full of blooming Nebbiolo plants.
Once we have passed trough the village, the little road passes near Fontanazza, then it climbs again to a chapel made of bricks.

We walk down the street to Fontanazza for a little while, then abandon it at Pelorosso and turn left, heading to the bottom of the little valley and looking to the La Morra hill in front of you.
You'll see the Torriglione village and the Rocche dell'Annunziata vineyards: the road you're on goes right there, then, after having passed the little Gallinotto river climbs again to the Rocchette; from there, still walking, you'll arrive to the Annunziata. While walking, remember to enjoy the Giachini and Bricco Rocca vineyards.

Take the county road and pass near the Annunziata Church , with its romanic bell tower and baroque facade, where it's still possible to see beautiful frescos; in the nearby cellars of the former monastery of Mercenasco there is now the museo Ratti of the wines of Alba.
A bit down on the hill there are the Conca dell'Annunziata and Bricco Luciani vineyards.

Once you've passed through the few houses and left the main road, you can walk on a smaller road to Monfalletto, in the Gattera cru, and see its majestic Lebanese cedar tree: there is also a wonderful view on the Arborine, Bricco San Biagio and Serra dei Turchi vineyards on the right. You can also see, behind the big tree, the Manescotto and Manzoni vineyards.

Now the road becomes even smaller and descends until it joins a road that goes around the San Biagio village, towards Santa Maria. This side of the hill is not so high and very calm, with the little Porretto river running.

Passing the San Biagio and Serra dei Turchi with their vineyards, on your right, you can walk up the hill to the Borgata Tetti di Santa Maria village. The Santa Maria promontory is linked to the La Morra hill by the cru of Capalot, Roggeri and Rocchettevino, then slightly descends through the Galina, Bricco Chiesa, Sarmassa and Rive o Bettolotti, Roere and Ciocchini vineyards, facing south-east (the road goes east to west).

Take the main road again, walk it to the square in front of the Madonna di Plaustra little church; from here you can walk on the road to borgata Silio and admire its vineyards. Near to the village, the road turns left and climbs the hill towards La Morra: on your left you can see all the Santa Maria vineyards.

In the middle of the Roncaglie vineyards, the road turns right and climbs the steep side of the hill, to the Madonna di Loreto country chapel. You can now walk to La Morra, and enter the town walking near its sports center.

With kind permission of the Cantina Comunale di La Morra.
(Texts Armando Gambera)