Why go?

Nestled into lower Piedmont, either a train ride or an hour’s drive from Genoa in the south and Milan in the north, Gavi is best known for the floral wines it’s been producing since the 17th century. Venture forth and you’ll find much more to savour in this medieval town, which is surrounded by a bountiful landscape of vineyards, dense woodlands and the curvaceous ‘sweet hills of Gavi’, which sweep across to the craggy Apennines and down to the Lemme Valley. As the Cortese grape harvest approaches its end, a delicious new season for food begins to unfurl, peppered with foraged black truffles and myriad wild mushrooms.

What to do

Stroll Gavi’s historic centre, taking in the ruby and ochre trompe l’oeil facades that hark back to Genoese rule, then peek inside the Romanesque San Giacomo church to soak up the peacock-blue vaulted ceiling and fading 700-year-old frescoes. The imposing structure you spy from every corner of town is the Forte di Gavi associazionefortedigavi.it which rewards visitors with far-reaching vistas. It’s a 20-minute winding footpath from Piazza Dante to the top. The hourly tours (£4.50pp including English audio guide, 9.30am-5.30pm) are the only way to gain entry, and well worth it – you’ll soak up a colourful history dating back to 972, from princesses to Hemingway-inspired Second World War POW camp escapees. Gavi soils conceal plenteous truffles. Unearth these pungent treasures on a trip with Truffle Hunter Italy trufflexperience.wixsite.com/trufflexperience and their canine sidekicks (£80pp). Pre-book a visit to biodynamic winery La Raia, where a jaunt through the art-dotted vineyards ends with a tasting of their award-winning bins and a spread championing local ingredients 00 39 0143 743685 (£18pp). Allocate a morning to visit the nearby Libarna libarna.al.it (free entry). This 1st-century Roman city is an evocative trip to a time when gladiators entertained crowds in the amphitheatre, with mosaics and remains to explore. Nature reserve Capanne di Marcarolo is a local favourite for hiking, mountain biking and wild swimming.

Where to stay

In the heart of the Gavi hills, the jolly green Locanda La Raia 00 39 0143 642860, locandalaraia.it is as beautiful inside as out, with 12 sunny rooms looking out to herb gardens, a spa and an indoor-to-outdoor heated pool. In the centre of Gavi, Hotel Al Castello 00 39 0143 642794, hotelalcastello.net combines comfortable dwellings with stellar breakfasts and fortress views. Pretty 18th-century L’Ostelliere forms part of the Villa Sparina Resort 00 39 0143 607801, ostelliere.it – with a winery, restaurant and Turkish bath. At Colline del Gavi 00 39 0143 342264, golfcollinedegalvi.com 11 rooms are teamed with two golf courses

Where to eat and drink

It’s firmly asserted that ravioli was invented in Gavi. Find it and other top seasonal serves – such as, olive oil-drizzled wild ovuli mushrooms, and slithers of testa in cassetta (‘head in a box’ – a mix of pork offal, herbs and spices) – at Cantine del Gavi 00 39 0143 642458, ristorantecantinedelgavi.it – one of the town’s oldest restaurants. Despite its name, Beer & Co 00 39 0143 643990 boasts a vast list of regional wines. Sample them in 7th-century surroundings along with slabs of Montébore cheese, porcini polenta, and speciality chocolate bonet dessert. Book an early dinner at Locanda La Raia 00 39 0143 642860 for a sunset-dappled panorama and Piedmontese cuisine overseen by Michelin-starred chef Tommaso Arrigoni. The gnocchi with ragù (using beef from the white Fassone cows grazing freely on the land) and black truffle is a must. At family-run Caffe Del Moro 00 39 0143 642648 the amaretti di Gavi are a fine accompaniment to an espresso, and the ‘rose and thorns’ gelato made with rose petal syrup and chocolate-spiked vanilla is a popular choice.

Time running out?

Nip to nearby bean-to-bar Bodrato chocolate factory to scoop up their famous ‘Boero’ – a grappa-soaked Garbagna cherry coated in chocolate. bodratocioccolato.it

Travel Information

Travel Information

Currency is the euro (EUR). Time is 1 hour ahead of the UK. Flight time from London to Milan Linate is 2 hours, or 2 hours 10 minutes to Genoa. Trains to Aruqata Scrivia, a five-minute bus or taxi ride from Gavi, take around an hour from either. trenitalia.com

Getting There

British Airways flies from London Heathrow to Milan. ba.com

Ryanair has flights from London Stansted to Genoa. ryanair.com

Resources

Visit Piemonte is the official tourist board and its website offers loads of sightseeing and culinary inspiration. visitpiemonte.com