Ricaldone: Music, History and Wine

Ricaldone offers a range of reasons to visit: the Luigi Tenco Museum, a church with a historic predecessor, the musical history of the L’Isola in collina festival, and wine tastings. There is also a recommended viewpoint before the entrance to the town. If you are looking for a hotel in Ricaldone, these themes can help you decide what to focus on during your stay—from singer-songwriter music to wine.

Music, the Museum and Local History

The Luigi Tenco Museum was founded in Ricaldone in 2006. It displays memorabilia and documents, as well as records that can be played on an old jukebox. Personal mementos, written materials and music you can listen to are all part of the museum’s collection. The L’Isola in collina festival also celebrates Italian singer-songwriter music. It began in 1992. In several editions, the concert stage was set up in the forecourt of Cantina Tre Secoli. In the festival’s history, this brings together two themes present in Ricaldone: music and wine.

The Church of Saints Simon and Jude Thaddeus reflects a different period in history. Around the mid-16th century, it replaced the earlier Church of San Michele. This provides a specific historical reference point for the town: San Michele was the predecessor building, and the present church was built in its place. The church’s history and the much more recent beginnings of the festival can therefore be understood as distinct historical reference points in Ricaldone.

Wine Tastings and Local Cuisine

Tre Secoli’s premium wine tasting takes place at Cantina di Ricaldone, Via Roma 2, 15010 Ricaldone (AL); advance booking is required. The experience includes a short tour and an introduction to the history of the cellar and the production area. The tasting includes five wines: Alta Langa DOCG “Inalto,” Colli Tortonesi DOC Timorasso Derthona, Barbera d’Asti DOCG Superiore “Sorangela,” Nizza DOCG, and Piemonte DOC Moscato Passito. As the wine selection may change over time, it is advisable to confirm the current lineup in advance.

Antica Cascina San Rocco offers guided tastings in Ricaldone, paired with artisan cured meats and cheeses from local farms. The provider gives an approximate duration of 1.5 to 2 hours for each tasting, during which the production philosophy and flavors of the region are presented. Confirm the duration with the provider in advance. The two tasting formats have different focuses: Tre Secoli pairs the tasting with a tour and insights into the cellar and production, while Antica Cascina San Rocco pairs it with products from local farms.

Food and wine are also part of the Food & Wines in collina festival program. Local street food on offer includes farinata, sandwiches with boiled beef, fried ravioli, and acciughe al verde. These are accompanied by wines from Cantina Tre Secoli and producers from Ricaldone. The town’s culinary offerings thus include both guided tastings and examples from a festival program.

Protected Area and Viewpoint

The Zona di Salvaguardia del Bosco delle Sorti – La Communa protected area includes Ricaldone. The UNESCO “Belvedere” viewpoint is recommended as a stop before entering the town. The two references have different geographical contexts: Ricaldone is part of the protected area, while the Belvedere is a recommended stop before reaching the town. You can keep the viewpoint in mind when planning your approach before visiting the town.

Discover more destinations: Malvicino, Monleale, Fubine, Ponzano Monferrato, Cuccaro Monferrato, Castelletto D'orba, Lu, Volpedo.

For the main travel overview: Alessandria.