Golosaria among the Monferrato Castles – Viarigi stop

Viarigi, a floral stop of Golosaria in Monferrato

Every year in May, the hills of the Asti and Alessandria Monferrato come alive for Golosaria among the Monferrato Castles, the widespread event created by food and wine journalist Paolo Massobrio with the Club di Papillon. Over forty towns in the provinces of Asti and Alessandria — “the most castle-rich area in Europe” — transform for a weekend into one big celebration of taste, art, and landscape. Among these villages, Viarigi stands out, a small municipality in the Province of Asti, Piedmont, offering one of the most poetic stops of the event.

The “Rosso di Rose” Festival

In Viarigi, Golosaria takes the name of the “Rosso di Rose” Festival, a tribute to biodiversity and the protection of pollinators that revolves around the Diffused Garden project, an urban redevelopment initiative that has transformed corners and views of the town into flowering green spaces. Visitors are invited to a slow walk among roses and flowers, with stops, stories, and tastings that weave together nature and local flavors.

The village landmarks

• Signal Tower (Torre dei Segnali): the symbol of Viarigi, built around 1320 at the highest point of the town to defend and communicate through an ingenious system of signals between the ridges. Over 26 meters high, it hosts art exhibitions and demonstrations during the festival.
• Oratory of San Silverio: the exhibition heart of the stop, where exhibitions dedicated to gardens are inaugurated.
• Diffused Garden (Giardino Diffuso): the botanical path that crosses the village, with tasting stops and moments of in-depth study on garden care.

Taste and conviviality

As in all Golosaria stops, food and wine are the protagonists in Viarigi: tastings of typical Monferrato products and local wines — from Barbera d'Asti to Grignolino, from Ruchè to local whites — accompany the visit. The day ends with a convivial aperitif at Ristorante Roma, with rose-scented dishes and a DJ set, to extend the celebration into the evening.

An itinerary in Monferrato

Viarigi is part of one of the thematic itineraries that Golosaria designs every year to invite visitors to discover multiple villages in a single trip, along with Altavilla Monferrato, Fubine, Quattordio, and Quargnento. It is the ideal opportunity to immerse yourself in the hilly landscape of Monferrato, a UNESCO World Heritage site, among vineyards, castles, and small villages where the tradition of good living is still alive.