If there is one thing on my bucket list which I think everyone can relate to, it’s going to Italy to stay on a vineyard and sip vino all day every day! I can safely say, my dreams came true on my trip to La Raia.
The La Raia estate is based within the rolling hills of Piedmont, and on the tip of the famous town of Gavi which is known as one of the most popular white wines ever. If you haven’t heard of gavi de gavi, you are drinking the wrong stuff!
La Raia is eco luxury at its finest. Covering 180 hectares, this family owned estate has so much to offer. Not only do they produce some of the finest wines in Italy, its home to an art foundation, farmland, boutique hotel and a school. This picturesque organic farm quickly earned its biodynamic certification back in 2007 and has recently also been award a Michelin Green star.
La Raia can be easily reached from both Genoa and Milan airports. It was under an hour drive out from Genoa in November for me, but do brace yourself for the wannabe gran tourismo drivers!
For wine lovers, it is paradise. I drank countless glasses of wine throughout my visit with each being presented on a silver tray with nibbles of crostini’s and olives. BUT – I didn’t just drink during my visit; I did get to learn more about how the winery operates, what goes into the wines and witnessed the dedication which goes into the whole process. The winery is still a family run business which just adds even more authenticity to the operation of making the regions most loved vino.
The vineyards cover about 50 hectares of the land with both Cortese and Barbera grapevines and then there is the more recent addition of pinot noir .From crisp white wines down to the reds and bubbly, the winery produces up to 19 wines which are exported to many places across Europe and America. Even down to the labels, the love and care that goes into the production of every single bottle is something to admire.
Before my wine tasting session, I had no idea that you could age white wine for so long in the bottle which is the case for my favourite one of the trip – the Gavi Pise which is a 2019 vintage. A glass of this in the sunshine, looking out towards the landscape is a moment I will never forget. I truly lived out all my wine country dreams at La Raia!
Italians are renowned for their warm hospitality, so it is only right that they launched a boutique hotel and restaurant within the estate too. Locanda La Raia features 12 unique rooms with handpicked furnishings, lots of art and original features which have been carefully restored from when the property was a post office back in the 19th Century.
My suite overlooked the outdoor pool and spanned across two levels as it had a separate living area and bedroom. The panoramic views are to die for and I loved waking up here knowing I had an epic day ahead of exploring, eating and drinking! The restaurant is intimate and fully devoted to the farm to table philosophy. From breads, cakes, herbs, grains, vegetables, granola and honey, most of what you eat is from the surrounding land and it makes mealtimes here an experience. We all love Italian food but the culinary journey here is like no other!
As I recall some of the dishes I ate during my stay, I can feel myself salivating! Breakfast is a feast for sore eyes with everything you can think of laid out buffet style, and you are spoiled with a choice of freshly made eggs to order. Lunchtime is when the fun really starts as you can start on the wine with your meal. Head Chef Tommaso Arrigoni has created some unique combinations but still infuses Italian traditions and processes. The Pumpkin Risotto with Montebore cream and cocoa beans was an eye opener. It arrived like the sun on my plate and was one of the biggest and best risottos I’ve ever had!
Being a fan of seafood, I tried Ombrine for the first time which is a white fish. This came served with the smoothest puree of apple and mustard and buttery black cabbage. There is a set menu available at the restaurant which comes with a wine pairing along with a selective a la carte menu of all chefs’ finest dishes. The foodie highlight for me had to be the Cuttlefish. This bean like stew with leek, chickpeas and spinach featured the most delicate cuttlefish I have ever had (and probably the best I will ever have). It blew me away and I almost ordered it again as it was too good to be true but as I wanted dessert, I had to restrain myself.
Priding themselves on sustainable luxury, Locanda La Raia is the ideal place to enrich the soul and immerse yourself with some of the finer things in life without a guilty conscience. Nature is a big thing here as you can imagine and there are various trails which you can venture around at your leisure. You can also walk around and take in the art installations and sculptures with a tour guide and then finish at the winery for a tasting. The lake is a great spot for a picnic after a bike ride, along with many more activities which can be organised by the estate’s team.
Also located at Locanda la Raia is the wellness centre. The eco-friendly outdoor pool leads out from the spa on the lower ground floor and it is slightly heated so even in November it is fit for a refreshing dip. Hotel guests can enjoy access to the facilities including a sauna, steam room and relaxation room with a Himalayan salt wall at no extra cost. Massages and other treatments can be booked with prices depending on your chosen treatment.
For an unforgettable experience where you get to soak up culture, nature and luxury all in one place, La Raia is top of the list. Even after being home for a few weeks, I am still in awe that I was invited to visit a place so beautiful. It’s a sophisticated, sustainable retreat with the luxurious edge we all crave, topped off with some damn good wine.
La Raia will forever hold a very special place in my heart.
Review and Images by Zoe Laing @_zozogram_
Feature image supplied
