Tenuta San Lorenzo: wine tasting and winery tour

If you’re planning a trip to Italy’s Piedmont region and have a soft spot for good wine, you’ll want to hear about the Tenuta San Lorenzo experience. This wine tasting tour offers a genuine peek into the world of local winemaking, set against the stunning backdrop of rolling vineyards just a stone’s throw from places like Novi Ligure and Gavi. While we haven’t done it ourselves, based on the detailed descriptions and reviews, it sounds like a sincere, straightforward experience that combines scenic views with expert insights.

What really draws us in are the panoramic tasting room overlooking the vineyards — a perfect way to connect with the land — and the chance to learn directly from a WSET-qualified sommelier. The experience’s focus on Gavi Docg wines and Cortese grapes makes it particularly appealing to those interested in regional specialties. A potential consideration is the not accessible for guests with reduced mobility, which is worth keeping in mind if you or someone in your group has special needs.

This tour seems best suited for travelers who want a relaxed, educational taste of Piedmont’s wines, especially those curious about white wines like Gavi. If you’re a fan of scenic, intimate settings and enjoy learning from knowledgeable guides, you’ll find plenty to appreciate here.

Key Points

• Intimate and scenic: The tasting room offers breathtaking vineyard views that enhance the experience.
• Expert guidance: A WSET-certified sommelier leads the tasting, helping you understand the nuances of Cortese grapes.
• Focus on regional wines: The tour features Gavi Docg and sparkling wines made through traditional methods.
• Affordable and straightforward: At around $43, it offers a solid introduction to Piedmont wines without overloading on extras.
• Limited accessibility: The tasting room isn’t suited for those with mobility issues.
• Ideal for wine enthusiasts: Especially those interested in white wines and region-specific varieties.

Let’s walk through what you can expect from this visit, based on the info we have. Knowing what’s involved helps paint a clearer picture of whether this is the right stop for you.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Location and Setting

Tenuta San Lorenzo is positioned in the lush Piedmont countryside, just minutes from towns like Novi Ligure, Gavi, and Serravalle Scrivia. Its panoramic tasting room is one of the highlights, offering sweeping views of the estate’s vineyards — a perfect backdrop whether you’re a photography enthusiast or just want an atmospheric place to enjoy wine. If the weather is on your side, you might even be able to taste wines on the terrace, which sounds lovely for a sunny day.

The Itinerary

This tour is designed to give you a quick but informative snapshot of the estate’s winemaking process and its signature wines. It starts with a guided tour of the winery, lasting about 20 minutes. Here, you’ll get the chance to learn about the estate’s history and the winemaking techniques. The focus is on the white and sparkling wines, which are vinified on-site, giving you insight into their production methods.

Following the tour, you’ll move into the tasting session — roughly 50 minutes long — where you’ll sample two wines. The first is the Spumante Brut “Tenuta San Lorenzo”, crafted using the traditional Martinotti (Charmat) method from Cortese grapes. The second is their Gavi Docg, also made from Cortese di Gavi grapes. This focus on a single variety allows for a deeper appreciation of the grape’s versatility.

What You’ll Learn

An important part of the experience is understanding the nuances of the Cortese grape, which is central to the Gavi wines. The guide, being a trained sommelier, will explain how this grape can produce different styles while maintaining its characteristic aromas and flavors. You’ll also get recommended food pairings, which is handy if you want to plan a future meal or picnic.

Tasting and Atmosphere

The wines are tasted with breadsticks and water, standard accompaniments that let the flavors shine. If the weather permits, you can request to taste the wines on the terrace, which would let you soak in the vineyard scenery and deepen your appreciation. The price point of roughly $43 seems reasonable for this type of experience, considering the guided tasting, a bit of education, and the beautiful setting.

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The Extras

While the main tasting involves just two wines, additional tastings are available at about $4 each if you fancy trying more varieties. At the end of the session, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase bottles directly from the winery, and they even offer home delivery — a convenient option if you want to take some of Piedmont home.

Accessibility and Practicalities

One thing to note is that the tasting room isn’t accessible for guests with reduced mobility. This is due to architectural constraints, which is a common issue in older buildings in Italy. Also, the tour is tailored to private groups, so it feels more personal, but larger groups need to be booked at least a week in advance.

The tour lasts around an hour, which makes it a manageable addition to a day of sightseeing. Parking is available, and the activity ends back at the starting point, so it’s quite straightforward.

What the Reviews Say

Though individual reviews aren’t included here, the descriptions suggest that visitors find the experience informative and scenic. The guided aspect is highlighted as a strength, especially for those looking to understand the wines beyond just sipping. The setting itself, with vineyard views and the chance to taste on the terrace, seems to leave a positive impression.

This experience appeals most to wine lovers and curious travelers who want a genuine taste of Piedmont’s white wines in a relaxed environment. It’s perfect if you prefer a small-group, intimate setting and enjoy learning from knowledgeable guides. While not suited for children or those with mobility issues, it’s excellent for adults seeking a straightforward, authentic wine tasting without fluff or overly commercialized tours.

If you’re after a quick but meaningful introduction to Gavi wines and want to enjoy breathtaking vineyard views, this tour fits the bill nicely. It’s a great way to add a touch of local flavor to your trip, especially if you’re staying nearby or making your way through the Piedmont region.

Is the tour suitable for children under 18?
No, the tour isn’t designed for children under 18, and the experience focuses on adult wine tasting.

Can I book this experience last minute?
Yes, you can reserve with some flexibility, but it’s recommended to check availability beforehand, especially for specific times.

Are food pairings included?
Breadsticks and water are provided with the wines, but no additional food is included in the standard tasting.

Is this experience accessible for people with mobility issues?
Unfortunately, no — the tasting room isn’t accessible due to architectural limits. Contact the provider if you have specific needs.

Can I purchase wines after the tasting?
Yes, you can buy bottles directly from the winery, with options for home delivery.

What if I want to try more wines?
Additional tastings are available at around $4 each, allowing you to explore a bit more of the estate’s offerings.

All in all, a visit to Tenuta San Lorenzo offers a manageable, scenic, and educational experience that’s perfect for those eager to understand Piedmont’s signature white wines. It’s an authentic taste of the region, ideal for wine enthusiasts or anyone wanting to enjoy Italy’s countryside with a glass in hand.

You can check availability for your dates here: