In my opinion, March to mid-August is the best time to visit Piemonte. The summer months can be quite hot, but if you have a hotel with a pool it’s quite manageable. Besides, I spend most of my time in a dark wine cellar, so the outside temperature doesn’t really matter.  If Festivals are your thing perhaps September and October better floats your boat.

January

January is the coolest month in Piemonte. Temperatures can drop below 0 degrees Celsius and rarely go above 10 degrees Celsius. It is a vacation month for many Piemontese. Check availability of hotels, restaurants, and winemakers before you plan to go in January.

February

Temperatures still low in February, but slowly starting to climb. Piemonte will be quite calm, but the winemakers are working hard. Wineries will most likely be open, and less busy as February is sort of an off-season.

March

Piemonte starts warming up. Temperatures can rise to about 15 degrees. Some days you can even sit outside and have lunch. Especially if you’re Norwegian.

A highlight in March is the Wine Fair Prowein. Although this event takes place in Germany, it still affects Piemonte because many winemakers will travel there to present their wines.

April

April is the month of Vinitaly. Chances are many of the producers head to Verona for about a week, so winery visits might be difficult those days.

Another happening in April is Easter. And the day after Easter Sunday is Pasquetta. On this day, families come together and celebrate. Long lunches, picnics, barbeque, drinking, dancing & more.

May

May is one of the best months to visit Piemonte. Temperatures reach 20’s, the hills of Langhe are green and it’s time for the event Barbaresco a Tavola! Every year, multiple restaurants in Barbaresco participate in a wine tasting where you  try about 20 different Barbaresco wines blind.

Serralunga stand their ground to, inviting you to their “Wine Festival a Serralunga d’Alba” late in the month.  May is also Barbera month, with both Castagnole Lanze and Nizza Monferrato having barbera festivals.

June

Summertime! Wineries open, flowers blooming and temperatures soaring. Toward the end of the month, there is a big wine event called Hill Barolo La Morra. At this event you get the opportunity to taste the new vintage of Barolo.

July

If you like music festivals & wine, July is the month for you. Collisioni Festival takes place every July in Barolo. Previous performers include Patti Smith, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Neil Young, Steven Tyler, Placebo, Passenger, Mark Knopfler & Lenny Kravitz.

Another music event in Piemonte is the Monforte In Jazz Festival.

August

August 15^th, or Ferragosto, means it’s vacation time for the people of Langhe. A lot of wineries will be closed, for a week or two while the hardworking winemakers take some well deserved time off.

At the end of August, there is a very fun event called Mangialonga. It’s a “non competitive enogastronomic hike” and takes place in La Morra.

September

Harvest usually starts mid to late September. For wine enthusiast it might be wise to book the trip at the beginning, but you never know when it will start. Hence chances of winery visits are diminished. 

Weather wise it’s a beautiful time to visit, and there are plenty of other things to do in the area. Like eat and drink. In fact, the first Sunday in September there is Degusta La Morra – an event where the winemakers of La Morra put up booths in the streets and for only £15 you can try as many wines as you like!

Verduno hosts a dinner where Pelaverga is the center of attention. Find out more here.

Bra hold their annual Cheese Festival, simply called “Cheese”, the 3rd weekend of September. Asti their Festival of Festivals (Festival delle Sagre in Italian), celebrating the customs and tradition of country life. And Verduno their “Festa del Verduno Pelaverga” celebrating their native grape Pelaverga. Neive says hello too, with their “Neive Vino e…”

October

Harvest continues into October. The end of the harvest depends on the vintage, so if you want to visit wineries, the later you go, the better chance you have.

If you’re unable to book any winery visits, you can try wines at the Cantina Comunale instead. Every Saturday in October (into November) you can try wines from the winemakers of La Morra.

October = truffles. And truffles = lots of tourists. The Truffle Festival in Alba starts early October and last until late November.

October is also the wettest month, on average, so if you want to avoid rain, maybe postpone your trip to November.

November

Truffle Festival still going strong, and some say the best truffles are found in November.

The first 3 Sundays in November, you can try wines from the winemakers of La Morra at the Cantina Comunale.

December

Things are quieting down in Piemonte. Christmas is approaching, the vines are sleeping and there is not so much to do in the vineyards. Why not celebrate New Years Eve, or Cappdanno, in one of the many amazing restaurants? I assure you they have Champagne!