From Langa to Monferrato | Stage 1 Montegrosso d'Asti - Castle of Costigliole

The itinerary starts in the historic centre of Montegrosso where you can admire the local peculiarities and above all the stunning hilly landscape ofthe Tiglione Valley, famous for the Barbera hills and the events and activities connected to it. The Castle of Montegrosso (12th century) is easy to reach, and an example of how the local historical and wine culture merge and generate an attractive centre of even greater importance. The castle, imposing for the size and the presence of two watchtowers, is now home to a winery and its cellar. The municipality also offers several important food and wine events during the year such as the Barbera Fair in May, a predominantly local wine, and the truffle fair in November. The route continues along the ridge, alternating cultivated areas and wooded areas before descending to the valley and climbing back up towards the town of Costigliole dAsti. Along the way, we will cross the hills on the left of the Tiglione Valley and reach the hamlet of Vallumida, where we can admire the parish Church of San Defendente that preserves one of hisrelics. This church was enlarged in the early 20th century over the body of a pre-existing 17th century chapel. The next hamlet is Canova, in which we can visit the Sanctuary dedicated to S.V. delle Grazie. We continue the itinerary along the ridge, admiring the surrounding landscape until we reach the Church of San Secondo, built in 1720 and restored in 1994, where we can take advantage of the rest area for a short break. We will resume our walk, continuing along the ridge, crossing small groups of houses and reach the hamlet of Bastia where we can take a short break near the Chapel of San Grato before arriving in the larger hamlet of Loreto. Setting off from the village, we head south-west in the direction of the hamlet of Burio, home to Cascina Castlet, an important farm of the area, in which we can stop and taste the wines produced from the vineyards we have passed: Barbera, Moscato, Uvalino, Cabernet, Sauvignon and Chardonnay. From this hamlet, it is possible to walk on, along Variant 1A, towards the municipality of Calosso.The itinerary continues northwards, crossing numerous vineyards once again, to arrive in Costigliole dAsti. The picturesque landscape is characterised by the important historic centre dominated by the medieval Castle of Costigliole: built on top of the fort of Costigliole, in a strategic position, it can be admired from different neighbouring locations, giving the landscape a very special and picturesque setting, offering a view of the vineyards and the surrounding hills. The structure has an additional historical and cultural importance deriving from several interior elements such as a staircase, different according to the floor, placed westwards, work of Filippo Juvarra. The Castle is inserted into the Castelli Aperti circuit of Lower Piedmont, a cultural initiative promoted by the provinces of Cuneo, Asti and Alessandria, with the contribution of the Piedmont Region.