Gaja and the Cheese festival Piemonte ItaLy
September 14-22, 2025
- Yes, we're tasting at the iconic GAJA estate in Barbaresco!
- Yes, we’re going to the world-famous Slow Food Cheese Festival in Bra!
- Yes, you’ll enjoy luxurious hotels, fine dining, truffle hunting, cooking classes, and more!
Embark on a Culinary Journey to Piemonte, Italy—Home of the World's Premier Cheese Festival Led By Veteran Napa Wine Expert Dan Dawson
Known for his decades-long influence in the California wine world and beyond, Dan was the original sommelier at the 3 Michelin * French Laundry
Join us in the heart of Northern Italy for an extraordinary culinary adventure celebrating the very best of cheese, wine, and regional delicacies. Every two years, the charming medieval town of Bra transforms into a global stage for the Slow Food International Cheese Festival—a celebration of heritage cheese making, sustainable practices, and time-honored flavors.
We'll indulge in the region’s most iconic treasures: white truffles, artisan cheeses, Barolo wines, handmade pastas, crusty breads, and extraordinary charcuterie—each telling a story of Piemonte’s deep culinary roots. From rustic markets to sumptuous meals, this is a full sensory immersion in one of the world's most revered food and wine destinations.
Our journey begins in Torino, a refined gem with stunning views of the Alps. Elegant, artistic, and rich in history, Torino offers a blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication. We'll explore its legendary café culture, sip expertly crafted vermouth cocktails, savor the city’s signature chocolates, and stroll through grand piazzas like Piazza Castello and Piazza San Carlo. With its baroque architecture, world-class museums, and regal palaces, Torino sets the perfect stage for our indulgent Italian escape.
We are thrilled to have Dan lend his knowledge, expertise, passion and insider access to boutique wines to our culinary adventure! He brings a new level of authenticity and excitement to this journey.
DO NOT MISS OUT ON THIS EXTRAORDINARY TIME DISCOVERING THE CHEESE, WINE AND FOOD THAT MAKES PIEMONTE THE GREATEST CULINARY DESTINATION!
SPACE IS FILLING FAST!
We love cheese!
Call us at 925 785 2902 or email us at hello@envtravel.com to reserve your spot or click the link below to reserve now.
Days 1-3
Begin Your Culinary Journey in Elegant Torino
Our adventure begins in Torino, a refined gem of Northern Italy, where old-world charm meets vibrant culinary culture. Over the course of three nights, you’ll explore the sophisticated streets of this historic city, known for its intimate cafés, baroque architecture, and deep-rooted traditions of vermouth, aperitivo, and artisanal cuisine.
Stay in luxury at the Grand Hotel Sitea, a 5-star property nestled in the heart of the city, and enjoy exclusive experiences that bring you up close to Torino’s most flavorful secrets.
Day 1 – Arrival & Welcome Dinner
Arrive and settle into your elegant accommodations at the Grand Hotel Sitea. Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. That evening, join us for a welcome cocktail in the stylish American Bar, followed by a relaxed welcome dinner at the hotel’s renowned Bistro. It's the perfect introduction to the days of indulgence ahead.
3 nights at Grand Sitea 5★ Hotel | Daily breakfast included
Day 2 – Discover Torino’s Historic Flavors
After breakfast, we set out on a private guided tour through Torino’s historic core. Discover the city’s rich coffeehouse culture, stroll through elegant piazzas and arcaded streets, and take in the artistry of its galleries, monuments, and palaces.
Enjoy a traditional lunch at a landmark café, where you’ll savor Piemonte’s iconic pastas and local wines. The afternoon is yours to explore, relax, or dive deeper into the city’s hidden corners.
Lunch included | Evening and dinner at your leisure
Day 3 – Street Food, Art & Vermouth
Today is all about tasting and culture. Our guide leads you through Torino’s most important museums and monuments—with delicious street food bites woven into the journey.
In the afternoon, enjoy a private vermouth experience with one of Italy’s top experts and learn the art behind this signature Piemontese aperitivo.
Our final evening in Torino features a memorable dinner at one of the city’s most acclaimed restaurants—an elegant send-off before we venture into Piemonte’s wine country.
Vermouth tasting & dinner included
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Day 4-9
The Heart of Piemonte: Five Nights in the Langhe Wine Region
After a scenic drive through the rolling hills of Piemonte, we arrive in the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Langhe wine region, home to some of the most celebrated wines and traditional foods in Italy. For the next five nights, we’ll immerse ourselves in the beauty, flavors, and culture of this extraordinary part of the world.
Our home base is the Hotel Somaschi in Cherasco, a stunning former monastery built in the early 1700s. Once the headquarters of the Somascan Fathers in the 1800s, it has been carefully restored over six years into a luxurious boutique hotel, blending historic grandeur with modern comforts.
From its hilltop perch, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the Alps and easy access to legendary wine regions including Barolo, Barbaresco, Roero, and the town of Bra, birthplace of the Slow Food movement.
5 nights at Hotel Somaschi, Cherasco | Daily breakfast included
Day 4 – Arrival in Langhe & Iconic Winery Visit
After settling into our elegant accommodations, you’re free to unwind by the pool, enjoy lunch at a local café, or stroll the charming streets of Cherasco.
Later, we’ll visit one of the region’s iconic wineries, where the winemaker and owner will welcome us personally for a guided tasting and storytelling session.
Dinner tonight is at a Michelin-recognized restaurant just steps from the hotel, where the flavors of Piemonte come to life in classic dishes paired with local wines.
Day 5 – Slow Food Cheese Festival, Day One
Today we head to Bra, the heart of the Slow Food movement, to experience the biennial Slow Food International Cheese Festival—a must for any cheese lover.
Led by a guide from the University of Gastronomic Sciences, we’ll learn about traditional and sustainable cheese-making practices from producers across Italy and beyond. You’ll taste your way through the festival, discovering bold, heritage flavors at every turn.
Dinner at a local restaurant in the Langhe
Day 6 – Cheese, Heritage, and Beppino Occelli Experience
We return to the Cheese Festival for a more in-depth exploration. This is your chance to follow your personal taste trail, exploring new discoveries at your own pace.
In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy an exclusive visit to Casa Beppino Occelli’s private village at the festival. Known for producing some of Italy’s finest mountain cheeses and artisanal butters, Occelli’s products are made from Alpine cow’s milk and aged in natural caves—offering a rare tasting experience few ever get to enjoy.
Day 7 – Truffle Hunt, Cooking Class & Barolo Tasting
After breakfast, we set off on a truffle hunt with local experts through the woods of the Langhe. Then we’ll head to the kitchen for a hands-on cooking class, learning to prepare Piemonte’s signature pasta dishes: tajarin and agnolotti, finished with local butter, cheese, and truffles.
In the afternoon, we visit the vineyards of Barolo for a private tasting of their world-famous crus, perfectly paired with local cheeses and charcuterie.
Tonight, we dine at the historic Boccondivino in Bra, birthplace of the Slow Food movement. This is where Carlo Petrini gathered artisans to preserve and promote Italy’s regional food culture.
Day 8 – Market Day & Farewell Dinner
This morning, we visit Cherasco’s lively Saturday market, filled with colorful stalls of cheeses, cured meats, spices, flowers, and seasonal produce. Enjoy free time to shop, explore, and soak in the relaxed local lifestyle.
Tonight, we gather for our farewell dinner at a beloved restaurant in the center of Cherasco—a perfect conclusion to our unforgettable journey through Piemonte.
Day 9 – Departure
After one final breakfast at Hotel Somaschi, we make our way back to Torino. Our tour concludes upon arrival, with warm wishes and heartfelt memories to carry with you.
What you'll Experience
What Is Included:
- 5 nights accommodations in Piemonte in the iconic Barolo region overlooking historic vineyards in a 17th century palace
- 3 nights accommodations in historic Torino at a 5* hotel
- Discover the culinary secrets of Northern Italy in Torino
- Savor negronis, aperitivos, chocolates and pasta in the historically beautiful piazzas and cafes in Torino
- Visit the important palaces and monuments in Torino
- Get intimate with the wines of Barolo at the best wineries in the area
- Enjoy 2 visits exploring the International Cheese festival to taste the hundreds of cheeses, charcuterie, wine, honey and breads
- Private cheese tastings and tour at the festival
- Dinners at Michelin rated restaurants
- Authentic farm-to-table cuisine at unique family-owned restaurants
- Truffle hunting
- Cooking class in a Michelin restaurant
- Visit to Beppino Occelli's private village, a butter and cheese producer and affineur steeped in the tradition of stewardship of the land and animals.
- All local transportation in Mercedes sprinter
- Most meals
- Maximum of 12 guests
$7990/$1800 single supplement
This is a complete package with transportation deluxe hotels, most meals, wine, cheese events, private caves, cooking classes and more.
Not included:
- Airfare
- Gratuities
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Expenses of personal nature such as telephone calls, cigarettes, gifts
- Anything not indicated in the itinerary
Please note that some activities may change or be rescheduled due to circumstances beyond our control. Another activity of equal enjoyment will be added. If you choose not to join any activity, we unfortunately cannot provide any refunds to you. All guests are required to obtain travel insurance or sign a waiver. Detailed itineraries will be provided.
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