Barbaresco is a small village nestled in the heart of the Langhe, recognisable, even in the distance, by its imposing tower from which there is a wonderful panorama of the surrounding hills.
Barbaresco gives its name to the wine of the same name, much appreciated in Italy and abroad.
With a characteristic historical centre, wineries where you can embark on wine and food tours and wonderful agritourisms where you can switch off, it is easy to understand why Barbaresco is one of the most sought-after destinations in the Langhe.
Let’s discover Barbaresco, with some useful tips for your visit.
Barbaresco what to see
Barbaresco, which became a Unesco World Heritage Site along with Barolo in 2014, has a small historic centre, full of characteristic corners and glimpses of the enchanting Langhe landscape.
The origin of the village of Barbaresco probably dates back to the Middle Ages.
Among the monuments not to be missed, the churches are worth a visit: that of San Giovanni Battista and that of San Donato, which houses the Enoteca Regionale del Barbaresco.
Also not to be missed is a visit to the Barbaresco Tower, symbol of the town.
Barbaresco Tower
The Barbaresco Tower was built in the 11th century and stands about 36 metres high.
From its summit, you can see, on one side, the Tanaro river and the numerous villages that make up the Langhe territory, and, on the other side, the city of Asti with the Alpine chain behind it.
To access the Barbaresco Tower, one must climb a flight of steps not suitable for pushchairs.
A panoramic lift then leads to a height of 13 metres, where a footbridge provides access to the ticket office.
From here, one takes the glass lift back up to the panoramic terrace, where one’s gaze embraces the surrounding hills and panorama.
The Barbaresco Tower, in the past, was probably part of a system of fortifications of which the remains of the battlements on its summit still remain.
The battlements formed the typical crown of watchtowers.
Visiting information
Opening hours
Daily from 9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. Closed 25 and 26 December.
Ticket price
€ 6.00 full price, € 5.00 concessions (12-18 years and over 65), free under 12 years.
Dogs are only allowed on a leash.
Wine cellar
In the village, there are several wine cellars where Barbaresco can be tasted, thus offering a journey into the flavours of the territory.
On our last visit, we decided to visit the Cantina sociale of Barbaresco.
Founded in 1958, the Cantina sociale has fifty families working the precious Nebbiolo vineyards whose grapes are transformed into Barbaresco D.O.C.G. wine.
With grapes that are ready-to-drink and less suitable for an ageing wine, Nebbiolo Langhe D.O.C. is produced instead.
In a good year, about 500,000 bottles are produced, divided between Barbaresco (40%), Riserva (35%) and Nebbiolo Langhe (25%).
It is very characteristic to admire the grape pickers unloading the precious grapes from their wagons in front of the Cantina sociale in the autumn!
The wine tasting, inside the Cantina sociale, is free of charge and consists of tasting 3 types of wine, two of Barbaresco and one of Nebbiolo.
Other wineries where you can taste Barbaresco
The guided tour of the Rivella winery is very suggestive.
For visits and wine-tasting, there is a turn at 10.00 a.m. and one at 3.00 p.m.
The winery is open from 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. and is located in Montestefano, a few minutes’ walk from Barbaresco.
At Casa Boffa, you can taste Barbaresco and other wines, together with hazelnuts and small snacks, on the wonderful panoramic terrace.
It is truly an oasis of peace, located right in the historic centre of Barbaresco.
Where is Barbaresco
Barbaresco is a municipality in the province of Cuneo, from which it is about 60 kilometres away.
It is located 50 kilometres from Turin, and about 150 kilometres from both Genoa and Milan.
The best way to get around the Langhe is, without a doubt, by car so that you are free to move independently between one village and another.
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How to get to Barbaresco
- Arriving from the A6 Turin-Savona motorway, take the Marene exit and continue in the direction of Alba. From here, go through the town centre and take the SP3, following the various signs for Barbaresco, which is about 10 kilometres away.
- Arriving from the A21 Turin-Piacenza motorway, take the Asti Est exit and take the A33 Asti-Cuneo motorway. The nearest exit to Barbaresco is Castagnito. Follow the road to Neive – Barbaresco via SP50 and then SP3, reaching your destination in about 10 minutes.
Where to sleep in Barbaresco
Casa Boffa – Located right in the centre of town, the Casa Boffa agritourism offers simple rooms, including an excellent breakfast, and a suggestive view of the Langhe hills.
Even the aperitif, served on the panoramic terrace, is of the highest quality.
Free parking and children up to 4 years of age stay for free – Book here.
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