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  • ZAP’s Enchantments of Northern Italy
    October Wine Experience
    Departed

This October ZAP Italy program is currently on a waitlist status.

This is your opportunity to visit several of Italy’s great food and wine regions: Barolo, Barbaresco, Bologna, and Valpolicella.  This tour will be combining the elements of an exclusive experience with the conviviality of traveling with legendary winemaker Bob Biale and his lovely wife Wendy as your expert ZAP hosts.  During this 9-day epicurean adventure you will swirl, sniff and sip the finest examples of Amarone, Barolo & Barbaresco,  Franciacorta and savor a truly unique travel experience that has been curated by F&WT’s Italian wine expert and writer, Filippo Magnani, exclusively for savvy ZAP members.

This Zinfandel Advocates & Producers exclusive nine-day package includes:

    • Hosted 9-day program with Bob & Wendy Biale and escorted by local guide Sandro Minella
    • Select program segments guided by Italian wine expert, Filippo Magnani
    • Four nights inside the Barolo Wine region
    • Two nights in the Bologna wine region
    • Two nights in Romeo and Juliet’s Verona
    • Daily breakfast, 6 lunches with wine, 4 dinners with wine
    • Multiple winery tours, and wine tastings
    • Authentic truffle hunting experience
    • Boat tour of Garda Lake
    • Dinner at a Michelin Star restaurant
    • Cooking class in Bologna
    • Visit to the Ferrari Museum
    • Lunch and tour at traditional Balsamic Vinegar producer

and so much more!

Download ZAP's Enchantments of Northern Italy Land Tour Registration Form Here

Experts

Bob & Wendy Biale

Founding Partner Robert Biale Vineyards

Filippo Magnani

Italian Wine Expert

Sandro Minella

Italian Guide & Sommelier

Itinerary

ZAP’s Enchantments of Northern Italy Wine Experience
October 20 – 28, 2022
Roundtrip Milan

Below is an edited version of the day-to-day itinerary.

October 20
2022
Milan - Barolo Wine Region

Arrive independently into the Milan (MXP) airport by 1pm, meet your guide Sandro Minella, hosts Bob & Wendy Biale, and your fellow travelers for a transfer by private motor coach to the Barolo wine area.   Enroute we will stop at Castello di Gabiano winery, situated in the Piedmont region of north-west Italy, for wine tasting with snacks in the castle’s tasting room.  Boasting more than a century of history,  the winery is operated today by Giacomo Cattaneo Adorno and his wife Emanuela who are directly engaged in passionate and intensive wine production, committed to capturing the flavors and aromas of the terroir.  Continuing our journey we arrive in Langhe and check into your 4-star hotel Hotel Calissano in the heart of Alba.  After some time to relax, meet the group for dinner in the town of Alba
October 21
2022
Barolo Wine Region - Langhe & Roero

Today is a day of exploring Barolo wines.  The Langhe and Roero are the most visited hilly system in the north west of Italy.

This morning depart for Domenico Clerico Winery for a tour and tasting followed by at  lunch at Bovio Restaurant.   After Lunch we will head to Conterno Fantino Winery for a tour & tasting.  This evening is free for you to explore the area and sample delicious regional cuisine.
October 22
2022
Barbaresco Wines - Piedmont

Today’s adventure includes Barbaresco wines, one of the great wines of the Piedmont region.  Enjoy visiting Marchesi di Gresy Winery  for a tasting of their finest wines and also a wine-paired lunch at a nearby restaurant.  After lunch we will visit the designated UNESCO village of Barbaresco, overlooking the patchwork of vineyards with a magnificent views and rich history.

This evening you will have time explore Barbaresco, and enjoy a dinner on your own.
October 23
2022
Piedmont - Alba

You are in for a special treat with an authentic “trifolau” and his dogs on a Truffle Experience at La Casa Del Trifulau. See how the dogs are trained to find white and black truffles, depending on the time of year, in this moving experience.

After lunch we return to the hotel for some time to relax.  Tonight we enjoy dinner and wine tasting at a Michelin star restaurant with stunning views of the Alps and the Langhe vineyards.

 

 
October 24
2022
Bologna

Today we check out of our hotel and make our way from Langhe to Bologna.  After stopping for lunch we arrive in the early evening in Bologna where we will check in for our two night stay. Our 4-star Hotel Corona d’Oro is located next to the pedestrian area in the heart of Bologna.  Dinner is on your own tonight.

 
October 25
2022
Bologna

After breakfast in the hotel, we will have a guided tour of the UNESCO city of Bologna, famous for its towers, churches and lengthy porticoes.  For lunch, you are free to experience “Quadrilatero”, the gastronomic restaurant area of Bologna.

In the late afternoon you will depart for your cooking class.  You’ll work side-by-side with the chef and fellow ZAP travelers and learn culinary secrets and techniques that will enable you to sharpen your skills, followed by a light dinner at a nearby restaurant.
October 26
2022
Maranelllo - Modena - Verona

For the next two days we will be joined by Italy native and wine expert Filippo Magnani.  Filippo’s insight and knowledge of the region is unsurpassed.

Check out of your Bologna hotel and travel approximately one hour to Maranello for a visit to the Ferrari Museum .  Delve deep into the Prancing Horse’s extraordinary roots on a magnificent journey via its most famous F1 cars, legendary sports prototypes, and of course, the road cars that have set the benchmark for the entire car industry.

Then it’s a visit to a traditional Balsamic vinegar producer in Modena for a tour and lunch.  Today’s last stop before heading to Verona will be a visit and tasting at Lambrusco wine producer, Cantina Paltrinieri.  In the late afternoon, we arrive at our 5-star hotel in Verona, located within walking distance of Juliet’s famous balcony.  The evening is free for you to relax and enjoy dinner on your own.

 

 
October 27
2022
Valpolicella - Lake Garda

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy some free time exploring Verona.  This afternoon we will visit and enjoy a scrumptious lunch at Allegrini Wine Estate in the Valpolicella wine region.  This region is the most famous red wine district in northeastern Italy’s Veneto wine region.

Enjoy a boat tour of  beautiful Lake Garda this afternoon.  It’s the largest lake in Italy and its shoreline is divided between the provinces of Verona, Brescia and Trento.    Following the boat tour, we will have some free time to explore the small village of Sirmione known for its thermal springs and 13th-century Scaligero Castle.  Dinner this evening will be at a beautiful lakeside restaurant in Sirmione, featuring excellent cuisine with the tastes of Garda.
October 28
2022
Milan

After breakfast, bid you fellow ZAP travelers and new found friends a fond farewell.  check out of the hotel for a group transfer to the Milan airport.  If you require assistance with Private Transfers or other travel arrangements, a Travel Advisor will be able to assist you.

Per Person Pricing - waitlist only

Per Person Double OccupancySingle Supplement
$8,424$1,332

Accommodations

  • Hotels are subject to change without notice.


    4 nights at Hotel Calissano in Alba


    2 nights at Hotel Corona d’Oro in Bologna wine region


    2 nights at Hotel NH Collection Palazzo in Verona

  • Terms & Conditions

    Fare shown is per person based on double occupancy.  Single occupancy supplement applies.  Fare does not include airfare to and from Milan.  Please refer to the registration form for complete terms & conditions.

    ZAP MEMBERSHIP
    Please note that at least one individual traveling in a couple must have a valid ZAP membership as of the dates of travel. The price of an annual ZAP membership starts at $50.00 For more information or to join ZAP visit: www.zinfandel.org

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