TENUTA LA MARCHESA IN NOVI LIGURE

The historical residence ‘La Marchesa’ is at the centre of a 76-hectare wine estate, of which 58 hectares are dedicated to single-body vineyards. It is one of the most important properties in the Piedmont region and is fully protected by landscape conservation regulations.

The Villa, built in the second half of the 18th century by expanding a pre-existing 17th-century structure, is listed as a national monument. The furnishings are all period pieces, including collections of pewter, paintings, carpets, furniture and porcelain. The Villa can only be visited by prior reservation for groups ranging from 8 to a maximum of 25 people.

It has a large hall with a spectacular view over the vineyards, which is used for concerts and cultural events.

A private lake of almost two hectares located one kilometre away from the Villa is to be found after enjoying a pleasant walk, which features a water garden and magnificent blooms of deep pink lotus flowers.

500 metres from the Villa is the agritourism farmhouse, a residence built in the mid-1500s, offering 12 rooms with bathrooms, a restaurant serving typical dishes and a swimming pool immersed in absolute silence in the midst of the vineyards.

THE HISTORY OF TENUTA LA MARCHESA

The history of Tenuta la Marchesa dates back to 1750, when preparations were being made for the wedding of a daughter of one of the Sauli Marquises, an ancient and powerful family of Genoese bankers. The family home, which had been built in the late 1600s, apparently did not meet the expectations of the new bride, or it may simply have been that the young husband had much loftier ambitions.

A speedy decision was taken, and a resplendent new Villa was constructed at the centre of the property. Naming it was no problem: it was called ‘La Marchesa’, in honour of his young wife. A chapel dedicated to their guardian angels was built, larger than the previous one, to ensure the spiritual health of the farmers working there. A lemon house was created to preserve precious lemons during the winter months. Everything in the garden was rosy!

The French Revolution then appeared on the horizon, and it is possible that Napoleon, after his victory in Marengo, spent the night at La Marchesa. But by then his glory was fleeting, and after the Congress of Vienna, a newborn Italy began its industrial history. With the boom in silk production in the Novi region, ‘La Marchesa’ was to become the country home of the most important family in the area.

The years passed, and by the end of the 19th century, the Raggio D'Azeglio family had created a vast estate spanning 2,000 hectares, encompassing the entire Gavi domain.

Bringing us up to present day: thanks to Vittorio Giulini, ‘La Marchesa’ has returned to its former glory on the same lands as the property possessed in 1750 (76 hectares, making it one of the largest wine estates in Gavi). The chapel and lemon house have been perfectly restored and the ancient Sauli family home has been transformed into an agritourism farmhouse with a restaurant.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES: AGRITOURISM ACCOMMODATION, WEDDINGS AND PRIVATE EVENTS IN THE GAVI AREA

ACCOMMODATION

Tenuta la Marchesa offers 12 rooms with period furniture and 2 charming lounges, immersed in absolute silence amidst the vineyards, with a splendid panorama and a swimming pool.

Additionally, there is the Italian-style garden, the orchard, the lake with its lotus flowers, wines as extraordinary as the territory of Gavi itself: in a nutshell, there is everything anyone could wish for if wanting to spend a holiday in the countryside, play golf, eat only typical dishes in the farmhouse’s restaurant, plan a wedding or organise a conference in the evocative atmosphere of a major winery.

CELLAR TOUR WITH TASTING PLATTER

Wine tasting with meat and cheese platter experience: €15 per person for a minimum of 2 people: visit the wine cellar, followed by a tasting platter with focaccia, salami and cured meats, cheese and a glass of wine from the Estate.

GUIDED TOUR OF TENUTA LA MARCHESA

The experience costs €20 per person for a minimum of 2 people and includes a visit of the Italian formal garden, the fruit and aromatic herb garden, the ancient lemon house, now a wine museum, the chapel, the 17th-century wine cellar and the modern winery, including a tasting of our products. It is possible to reserve other experiences: details to be found on our website www.tenutalamarchesa.it.

Tours of the Estate are free of charge on the occasion of our national days organised with the Associazione delle Dimore Storiche Italiane (ADSI or ‘Italian Historical Residences Association’).

VISITS OF THE ‘LA MARCHESA’ VILLA

The cost is €30 per person, €20 for guests staying at the farmhouse for groups of 8 to 25 people. It is possible to organise wine tastings, lunches and dinners at the Villa, prices on request. Tours of the Villa are also possible without visiting the Estate.

WEDDINGS AND PRIVATE EVENTS

Weddings: Starting from €70 per person

Events: Price upon request

The vineyards extend over 58 hectares in a single body around the Villa.

Wines: Gavi, native red grapes from Piedmont: Albarossa and Pelaverga, Brut and rosé sparkling wines.

For further enquiries, please contact our Manager, Tiziano Pelanda on +39 335 7618507 (mobile phone), + 39 0143 743362 (landline), or email: info@tenutalamarchesa.it.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE VICINITY

Sant'Evasio Cathedral in Casale Monferrato, the Oratory of Santa Maddalena in Novi Ligure, Santa Croce Church in Bosco Marengo, Racconigi Castle.