With the fundamental objective of promoting growth in tourism, from both Italy and around the world, to wine cellars belonging to associated facilities, the association Strada del Barolo and grandi vini di Langa present the activities scheduled for 2015

The strengthening of wine-tourism in Langhe remains the fundamental guideline for the activities of Strada del Barolo in 2015, «to achieve our goals – says its president Lorenzo Olivero – it is necessary to enhance the activity of destination management, developing an effective strategy of territory promotion that aims at expanding awareness of Langhe and its great wines to an increasing number of wine lovers and wine tourists. The ability to create and strengthen ties with other sector players has always been a prerogative of our association, and we must continue on this path. The most important thing is being able to establish relations of cooperation, not only with national and international partners, but also with local institutions, identifying the activities in which it is possible to work in synergy. I see many opportunities for the future, but in order to seize them it is necessary to focus on the very best of our region (landscape, wines and wine and food productions) and increase the visibility of the territory».

Events and entertainment activities on the territory

Also for 2015, Strada del Barolo is planning a series of initiatives aiming at attracting tourists and wine lovers to lead them in the discovery of the amazing hills that have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site:

Friday, May 1^st 2015 – Treasure Hunt in the Barolo Langa. The traditional event organized in collaboration with Turismo in Langa, the city of Alba and the municipalities involved returns: the three routes, that the different teams will follow, twist and turn along the hilly territory of Langhe, among breathtaking landscapes, historic wineries, castles and small perched hamlets. The teams, last year there were 90 made up of some 400 participants, can participate by car or motorcycle to search for the many clues that will lead them to the “final treasure.” As usual, the routes will start from the Vinum stands, in the centre of Alba, and will touch different facilities associated with Strada del Barolo, ending in the historic centre of Castiglione Falletto, the heart of the Barolo region.

Saturday, May 30^th 2015 – Io, Barolo. Another very welcome confirmation for lovers of the “King of Wines” scattered around Italy and the world: the producers of Strada del Barolo present the 2011 vintage of Barolo to the public in the beautiful setting of the Castle of Roddi, with unlimited tasting of over 30 different labels. Rounding out the evening’s program, this year’s great innovation will be cooking demonstrations and Wine & Food workshops, offered thanks to the partnership with Strada del Riso Vercellese di Qualità. As usual, during the evening, it will be possible to visit the rooms of the Castle of Roddi with the guides of the association Turismo in Langa.

Saturday 24^th and Sunday 25^th October 2015 – Rendez-vous on the Barolo Trail. Successfully tested last Autumn, the initiative was also confirmed for 2015: an entire weekend dedicated to wine-lovers and to all Langhe-enthusiasts, who will have the opportunity to visit the wineries, meet the producers and taste their wines. The restaurants of Strada del Barolo will propose specific menus with traditional Langhe dishes. Castles and museums will be open for tours, and, for these two days only, packages and special discounts will be available in the accommodation facilities!

Wine Tasting Experience®

Having become, over the years, a must-see event for hundreds of wine-lovers visiting Langhe, the Wine Tasting Experience®, original tasting format devised by Strada del Barolo, continues in 2015 with an initial schedule of events planned for Spring and Autumn, during the International Fair of the White Truffle of Alba. For the new season, Strada del Barolo is also working on some important innovations, such as the proposal of a new format of Wine Tasting Experience® in conjunction with food, and the assignment of a single location for the events.

Following the example of the French Ecole Du Vin, appointments go beyond the traditional tasting of wine in a wine cellar, giving the opportunity to compare labels from different producers at one appointment. Added value for wine-lovers is the presence of territory experts capable of explaining the secrets of the wines and satisfy any curiosity: the “teachers” are in fact producers, oenologists or skilled sommeliers.

“The taste of the territory”, “The Crus of the King” and “Barolo&Barbaresco” are the themes that will alternate throughout the year: “The taste of the territory” is an introductory path among the most characteristic productions of Piedmont, with the tasting of four different denominations; “The Crus of the King” is a journey punctuated by the tasting of three different Barolo labels; on the contrary, “Barolo&Barbaresco” will propose the comparison between the two great wines of Langhe, with the tasting of three different labels. In addition to scheduled appointments, it is always possible to organize a Wine Tasting Experience® exclusively customized for groups of at least six people, who can decide together with the organizers specific dates, times, locations, languages, and of course the wines to taste!

Talking about wine: online and offline

The website of Strada del Barolo is a showcase of excellence for the territory and for all members who have access to a page with geo-location on an interactive map, photo gallery, service details and a detailed description of the activities. The site also features in-depth sections on territory, wines and gastronomic products, as well as tours and tourist packages and it will soon be possible to book directly on this platform.

Parallel to the site, the online promotion activity continues through the “social channels” (Strada is both on Twitter and on Facebook), with a daily update of the profiles and through advertising campaigns that are able to attract a wide audience of users interested in wine and Langhe.

The internet is important but the printed word, via traditional means, continues to inform potential tourists about Barolo and the attractions the territory is able to offer: in 2014, Strada del Barolo, in collaboration with the consortium I Vini del Piemonte, organized a series of educational tours for 15 journalists from 10 different countries (Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Poland) who had the opportunity to closely discover a good 54 wine producing companies, visiting wine cellars and vineyards and tasting their wines. In 2015, Strada del Barolo intends to propose the same activity again since it proved to be extremely useful to give visibility to the member companies in the villages concerned.

Strengthening partnerships

The collaborative relationships will affect other wine areas and Italian and European wine Trails (Spanish, French, Swiss). The common denominator of ‘”Top Quality” will be the basis of alliances Strada del Vino Franciacorta and with Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, with which Strada del Barolo intends to work for the organization of promotion events both abroad in their areas of origin.

Also, the partnerships started in the previous years with organizations and institutions related to the world of wine, tourism and food, such as Ente Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba, Associazione produttori Nas-cetta di Novello, Strada del Vino Astesana, Unione di Comuni Colline di Langa e del Barolo, WiMu, Enoteca Regionale del Barolo and the wine shops in the area will, of course, continue.