What is the best place to find a wide choice of farmhouses nestled among rows of vineyards? If you like Italian rural homes, such as cascine, casolari, masserie and so on, other areas are coming to the fore for what they can offer in terms of country houses in a market once dominated mainly by Tuscany.
The first stop of our journey from north to south is the vineyard landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato.
An excellent site for a vineyard
For centuries the Southern stretch of Piedmont has been famous for winegrowing and winemaking. Pliny the Elder who lived during the height of the Roman Empire mentions the region as the ideal location for the growth of grape vines. The territories of Langhe, Roero and Monferrato comprise of 5 individual winegrowing regions. From the Nebbiolo vines that transform into the Barolo and Barbaresco wines to Romanesque cellars for wine storage;
Piedmont is home to the native, authentic art of winemaking. Potential vineyard owners can profit from winegrowing expertise that has evolved the ideal conversion of grape varieties to earth and climate over the centuries.
A superb location for a charming B&B
The region offers significant attractions for tourists from all over the world. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the land is steeped with decades of rich history and is full of reminders of the ancient world. From white truffles to delectable cheeses and fine wines, for those opening a restaurant in this region, the best local ingredients for creating delicious Italian dishes are available. Among the friendly locals, you could find native cooks who have a flair for Italian cuisine and a pleasant staff. With a growing number of tourists, especially after they’ve been included in the UNESCO world heritage list, the interest of national and international home hunters and investors has grown, the region offers a lucrative business opportunity for foreign buyers thinking about opening a B&B or an agritourism.
Buy in Le Langhe or escape to Roero
In the Piedmont dialect, “Langhe” means a hilly landscape with long, gentle crests. It is aptly named and is a stunning territory, offering breathtaking vistas and panoramas of hillsides with curling rivers that have been cultivated for centuries.
Many farmhouses that are fully restored as well as numerous country houses to be renovated that can be personalised by buyers according to their tastes are available. The restoration usually involves the use of exposed bricks and local stones in order to maintains their original style and materials.
Most of the typical farmhouses that you will find in the Langhe are situated in the area of Alba, which represents its main town. They lie on wide plots of land which are ideal to start wine production businesses.
General features: they date back to early 20th century and spread over 2 levels with central stairway, kitchen and rustic dining room on the ground floor. In the Upper Langa, farmhouses are usually stone-built and situated atop a hill, far from residential areas. On the contrary, in the Lower Langa (worldwide famous for wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco, Moscato) they are closer to town centres.
The most expensive country houses are those situated in panoramic positions. So a 150 m² farmhouse surrounded by a wide plot of land could cost you approximately Є300,000 in addition to the cost of restoration.
Or escape to Roero for cheaper alternatives. Adjacent to the richly cultivated landscape of Langhe, Roero offers an escape into uncontaminated nature which is unique in Piedmont.
Magic of Monferrato
Also Monferrato is quite affordable. This beautiful region is comprised of lush countryside dotted with vineyards and towns. Choose to live amidst a stunning landscape with panoramic views and fertile land. A farmhouse of 100 m² to be restored in Monferrato with a wide plot of land can be find for about Є80,000. In strategic positions overlooking the surrounding hills could cost you more than €100,000, and the price rises if it also boasts luxury features, such as swimming pool, or if the land produces exquisite wine.
Piedmont is an ideal place to savour the slow paced life of elegant Italy. For those who wish to escape to a quiet farmhouse which they can restore and revitalise; or start a successful business, this beautiful Italian region is full of opportunities.
TO BE CONTINUED…
[Featured image by Roberto Faccenda]
