This week-end we discovered an amazingly beautiful place that is only 1 hour and 15 minutes from our house. Some good friends invited us to join them for a day of walks in the vineyards and lunch in the small antique town of Moleto (near Monferrato in Piemonte). This area is referred to as the Tuscany of Piedmont due to it’s rolling hills, old farmhouses and wonderful landscapes.
After driving through fog as thick as pea soup for about an hour (on the autostrada) we made our way up the hill on narrow curvy roads. As we approached the little borgo the sun broke through the haze and clouds and we enjoyed a day in the warm sun.
Moleto has a population of 18 and is in the process of being renovated and restored to it’s previous glory. We visited some of the old houses and the stone floors and ceiling frescoes are absolutey stunning. All of the houses have a maze of underground caves and grotte which were (and still are) used to age and store the wine produced in the area.
They have opened a great restaurant in Moleto which serves delicious local fare. We lunched in their outdoor courtyard under a surprisingly hot sun for the 3rd of March (sun umbrellas were needed). My mother, who is visiting from Canada, kept saying she felt like she was in the middle of a film set because everything was just so idealic. The food, the weather, the surroundings – the perfect Italian dream image.
The kids loved running around exploring the area on their own. The grownups loved the 3 hour lunch with delicious food and wine and great company.
Jillian In Italy 
Love these images.
how lovely. i can tell you guys we’re having that idyllic moment. mmm piemonte cheese is really top quality. good food there too mmm by the way, your photos are great 🙂
I am so jealous … what I would give to live in Italy!!!
Yesterday, it was raining as usual here in Belgium … so what did we do? We went to Plopsaland Indoor for the kids. Can you imagine how boring my blog would be??? Yes, Plopsaland Indoor while you were enjoying a day in the sun with great food and great surroundings! Count your blessings baby!!!
I do! I live in an incredibly beautiful place here. But Belgium isn’t so bad! Maybe a little grey at times….
It sounds incredibly fantastic! What a lovely way to spend a weekend.
I love that your mom said it felt like she in the middle of a film set. I can imagine how that feels—surreal.
What beautiful pictures! I want to pack my bags right now and fly directly there from New Jersey.
lovely… looks like someplace i’d really like to be!
Jillian,
I just found your blog on the DesignMom linkup today. I’m happy to have done so. We’re an American family living in the South of France and it seems like we’ve both struck gold in these lives. Pinch!
Nice to meet you.
bisous,
aidan
Oooh….South of France is my ultimate dream destination. I love everything about it (except maybe the hoards of tourists in the summer). We go there quite often. What area are you in? Thanks for visiting! J
That looks awesome! The cheese platter alone has me wishing I was there, never mind the rest of it. A lovely little tour, thank you!
That cheese platter was really delicious. They served it with a little bowls of honey and jams to eat with cheese. Definitely a place to go if you ever find yourself in Piemonte.