Motorcycles, Regions, and Wine. Experienced from the saddle, recounted on the ground. Today, as part of our “Eating & Sleeping Among the Vineyards” series, we launch a collaboration with Marco Gallo | Biker Sommelier, who tours wineries on his motorcycle. Each article, along with the story of the selected winery, includes a GPX track because it’s a real-life motorcycle experience: the route is ridden, the winery is visited, and the wines are tasted on-site. So there’s also practical information for booking tastings, planning a stop, and experiencing the region at just the right pace.
To San Martino Alfieri , history isn’t read—it’s walked. There’s the scent of tuff, and the Monferrato hills that open up just beyond the village.
Surrounding the estate are 140 hectares of neatly arranged vineyards, hazelnut groves, and cultivated fields. The hills have specific names: Sansoero, Quaglia, Calandrina. Each one imparts a distinct identity to the wine.
The motorcycle takes you this far. The rest is taken care of by a winery that takes its time.
Beneath the cellar, twenty meters underground, ten thousand bottles wait in silence: with the same patience as the Metodo Classico, the same pace that no one here tries to rush.
It was 1990 when Emanuela, Antonella, and Giovanna San Martino of San Germano took over the winery from their father, Casimiro. They found themselves faced with their first ten thousand bottles and wondered: “Who’s going to drink all of these now?” This isn’t false modesty. It’s the question asked by those who know they are part of a story they didn’t invent, but one they are tasked with carrying on.
In 1999, the winemaker Mario Olivero , and the Barbera d’Asti Superiore Alfiera won Gambero Rosso’s Tre Bicchieri award, under the direction of Daniele Cernilli at the time. Not because of a marketing strategy, but because the wine is what it is: terroir-driven, authentic, and uncompromising.
Why stop here?
- 330 years of history, always run by women.
- Numerous awards (including the Faccino DoctorWine) for the Barbera Alfiera.
- Accommodations scattered throughout the historic village: sleep where you drink, and stay right in the heart of the village.
- Local Wines
- Historical insights and a tour of the castle
The Tour with Tasting
- PRICE: €28–50 per person
- DURATION: 2–2.5 hours (tour + tasting)
- WHEN: By appointment (except Sunday afternoons)
- AVAILABLE LANGUAGES: Italian – English
- INCLUDED: Guided tour + tasting of a regional platter
The Wines Tasted
PAIRINGS WITH TWO-WHEELED VEHICLES
Barbera d’Asti Superiore Alfiera 2023
A deep, dark Barbera with ripe fruit and well-balanced oak. It has a long finish, broad structure, and the confident calm of the Asti hills.
100% Barbera • 18 months in barrique
Moto Guzzi V7 Sport
I compare the Alfiera Barbera to this Guzzi from Mandello del Lario. Born in 1971 exclusively for racing, it was part of a pre-production run of 150 hand-built units featuring a red frame. An aristocratic icon of Italian engineering that defies trends, capable of delivering impressive power and a vigorous mechanical pulse that commands respect at first glance.
Transverse 90° V-twin • 748 cc • 200 kg
The Experience: Hospitality and Amenities
Rooms in the historic village, a farmhouse surrounded by nature, and amenities to help you explore the area at your own pace.
Where to Stay
11 rooms: 7 in the Dimora Diffusa · 4 in the Cascina Margherita
The Dimora Diffusa is located in the heart of the historic village, just a short walk from the winery. It features 7 elegant rooms with private entrances, just a short walk from the winery. Elegance and comfort in the historic heart of San Martino Alfieri.
The Cascina Margherita is a traditional Piedmontese farmhouse surrounded by greenery. It features 4 rooms with private bathrooms, a living room with a fireplace, and a spacious greenhouse. Breakfasts are served featuring the finest local products.
All guests have access to the park and can arrange guided tours of the wineries with personalized tastings.
Additional Services
- Exclusive access to the park
- Seasonal truffle hunting
- Piedmontese cooking school: wine and food pairings
- Educational truffle hunt
- Tesla Point: electric car charging
- Wine shop
Services Offered and
Benefits Exclusively for Riders
A community for motorcycle travelers who choose the open road to discover authentic regions, people, and wines.
The Benefits of the Community
At Marchesi Alfieri, riders will find special perks, convenient services, and a warm welcome tailored to those arriving by motorcycle.
10% off wine tasting - 10% off wine purchases
- 10% discount on your stay
- Free shipping on orders over €150
- Secure storage for helmets and jackets
- Reserved indoor motorcycle parking
- RIDERS CODE: BIKER26ALFIERI – Provide this code to activate your benefits when making a reservation, or use it for your purchases.
