Cantine Aperte – Podere ai Valloni

Cantine Aperte in Boca, in the heart of Upper Piedmont

Every last weekend of May, Podere ai Valloni takes part in Cantine Aperte, the event that the Movimento Turismo del Vino has dedicated to wine tourism across Italy since 1993. In Boca, a small town in the province of Novara in the heart of Upper Piedmont, the winery opens its vineyards and cellar doors to welcome enthusiasts and curious visitors to one of the region's most fascinating wine-growing areas.

An organic winery in the Novara Hills

Founded in 1980 and certified organic since 2014, Podere ai Valloni cultivates approximately three hectares of vineyards with historic local grape varieties: Nebbiolo, Vespolina, and Uva Rara. Its vines produce wines under the Boca DOC and Colline Novaresi DOC appellations, including the Boca Vigna Cristiana and the red wines Gratus and Sass Russ. With an annual production of about twelve thousand bottles, the winery tells the story of an authentic Upper Piedmont, defined by volcanic soils and mountain viticulture far removed from mass production.

The event program

During the Cantine Aperte weekend, Podere ai Valloni offers two ways to visit:

• Free guided tours without reservation, followed by complimentary tastings of some of the winery's selections;
• Tours by reservation, which include a more extensive tasting paired with a platter of local products at a special price.

The walk takes visitors through the rows of vines and continues into the cellar, where the winemaker and staff explain the work done in the vineyard and the winery. The tastings highlight the finesse of the Nebbiolo-based red wines, a classic expression of the Novara Hills.

A journey through Piedmontese wine tourism

Cantine Aperte is not just a wine event; it is an opportunity to discover a territory less known than the Langhe and Monferrato, yet rich in history and identity. Around Boca, routes wind through hills, forests, and paths such as the Cammino delle Colline Novaresi, perfect for extending your day. The event, held throughout Piedmont and Italy, makes this corner of the Novara province an ideal stop for those who love slow, conscious wine tourism.