Sunday

9) 9 a.m. Take a hike

Never mind the hilly terrain. A network of sentieri, or hiking trails, crisscrosses the region, beckoning mountain bikers, joggers and Sunday strollers into the vineyards and surrounding nature. One lovely route begins in Barolo proper and heads south out of town. Red-and-white trail markers lead to an undulating dirt path that climbs through vineyards, past the occasional goat and along a winding road to the quiet hamlet of Novello, about two-and-a-half miles away. Seek out the ornate neo-Gothic castle (now a hotel) at the far edge of town, and admire views of the distant Alps before returning to Barolo through the vineyard-strewn hills.

10) 11 a.m. Museum morning

Back in town, meander along Barolo’s cobblestone lanes toward the ancient castle, an ocher-hued fortification with history dating to the 10th century. Originally a defensive fortress, this towering edifice later served as a country home for the wealthy Falletti family, among other things, but today houses WiMu, the Barolo Wine Museum, where interactive exhibits explore wine through scientific, cultural and historical lenses (admission, €8). For more wine-adjacent history, pop inside the neighboring Museo dei Cavatappi, a tiny museum chronicling the evolution of the corkscrew, from 18th-century, T-shaped pulls, many with curiously phallic designs, to the efficient wine key and rabbit-style tools used today (€4).

11) 1 p.m. Final sips

Whether you’re looking to buy a bottle or just want a quick sip and a snack, La Vite Turchese should be your last stop before leaving Barolo. This welcoming enoteca excels at personalized wine tastings, so ask to compare barberas from Alba and Asti. The staff, as friendly as they are knowledgeable, will pinpoint vineyards on a map, chat about tasting notes, and handpick accompanying snacks, such as local salami, crunchy taralli crackers and ash-covered goat cheese from the region. The two-room bar doubles as a shop stocked with thousands of bottles, so those who like what they taste can also take a bottle (or case) to go.

Lodging

In the center of the town of Barolo, Casa Svizzera Agriturismo is a six-room bed-and-breakfast run by the Germano family, well-known winemakers in the area who also operate an adjacent wine shop. Some of the recently renovated rooms, including a top-floor suite, have small balconies overlooking the town square (Via Roma, 65, Barolo; casasvizzera.com; doubles from €110).

In the oldest part of Monforte d’Alba, Le Case della Saracca is an intriguing property with a bed-and-breakfast and a restaurant tucked within a series of medieval structures. The six guest rooms, some with fireplaces, bring modern comforts to the Middle Ages (Via Cavour, 5, Monforte d’Alba; saracca.com; from €148).

Rental homes large and small are available throughout the region. Recent offerings on HomeAway included a modern apartment in central La Morra (from €95 per night) and a two-bedroom vacation home in the hills outside Monforte d’Alba (from €133).