A vernacular rustico in the wooded countryside close to Cortemilia offers great views and excellent value for money.
The sky is green in the Alta Langa. The intricate canopy of hazelnut trees, silver firs and the odd Scotch pine screens the blue with a mosaic of myrtle and viridian—until a meadow bright yellow with gorse breaks open the thickness of the woods.
The Alta or Upper Langa is wilder, more forested and more remote than the Langhe of Barolo, the wine-carpeted countryside that stretches north of it.
Tiny villages of narrow alleys and stone homes dot the soaring hills that overlook the meandering Tanaro and Belbo rivers. Lone medieval chapels stand sentinel over a countryside of pastures and terraced wheat and corn fields, carved in the hillside by the hands of patient, stubborn local farmers. And here and there an old cascina perches high on a hillside, the gentle fall of wooded valleys at its feet.
One such home is now available for sale near Cortemilia, capital of the Alta Langa, where the very best Tonda Gentile—the hazelnut that gives its sweet flavour to Piedmont’s soft gianduiotti chocolates—is harvested.
The property stands in peaceful countryside just a few miles outside Cortemilia. Pretty blue shutters add a touch of colour to the taupe stone façade typical of the local architecture. A tasteful restoration ensures that the light-flooded interiors also preserve their vernacular charm, with thick exposed beams, a large brick fireplace and wooden lintels.
The ground floor is taken up by a spacious living and dining area, an open plan kitchen and a large bathroom with spa bath. Large French windows give access to an outdoor dining area and the gardens beyond.
The first floor can be accessed both from a steep internal stairway or, in traditional style, from external stairs. It has two bedrooms, a shower room and a large terrace to relax and soak up the views over the property’s 3000 sq m (about 0.7 acres) of terraced gardens and grounds, and the rolling countryside beyond.
But best of all, the rustico’s asking price is very reasonable at €198,000. “I believe it really offers great value for money,” says Luigi de Vico of selling agents Piemonte Houses. “And indeed we are having significant interest and viewings.”
For more information, contact Piemonte Houses on +39 0173 70325, www.piemontehouses.co.uk.
