Land of Barolo

Oxen haul the polio, or banner, before Alba's medieval donkey race.

Alba's banner-wavers put on a show at the palio.

Walk, don't run, is this donkey's motto.

Main Street in the town of Barolo.

Heading inside the Castle of Barolo.

Barolo winemaker Luigi Oddero personally leads a tour of his vineyards.

Fill 'er up: sampling an array of wines at Oddero.

A cheesemaker explains her craft.

High in the Langhe mountains is the cheese aging room.

An Alte Langhe landscape, perfect for cow grazing.

Preparing aged cheese for market.

Country charm in the tasting room of a winemaker's farmhouse.

Tasting Perlaverga wine under the gaze of the family patriarch at Fratelli Alessandria.

Getting a lesson in cooperatives at the Produttori del Barbesco.

The signature wines at Barbaresco.

17th century stucco work in the wine estate of the Marchesi Alfieri.

The lovely palace and English gardens at Marchesi Alfieri.

The enologist leads a tasting of wines at Marchesi Alfieri.

Making piemontese pasta at a cooking lesson.