Five highlights of a Nutella lover’s itinerary

Nutella in Italy

Did you know Le Langhe, in the region of Piedmont is also home to Nutella? Most people know this small northern region of Italy for the iconic Barolo and Barbaresco wines (We suggest Lodali!), but did you know that hazelnut groves often sit right up against the pristine vineyards? Piedmont is home to the cultivation of Tonda Gentile delle Langhe, one of the finest varieties out there. And these very special nuts are then sold to the major Italian confectioneries, including Ferrero, which created Nutella in Italy.

If you’re curious about where the chocolatey goodness comes from, see below for a few highlights of a recent trip that satisfied more than just chocolate cravings.

Stop #1: Nutella trees! (Okay, hazelnut trees)

The hills of Piedmont are covered in vineyards – mainly Nebbiolo – intended for legendary wines like Barolo and Barbaresco, as well as other varieties, such as Dolcetto and Barbera. But the sprawling hillside vineyards are often embraced by hazelnut groves, forests reserved for truffle hunters and in general, beautiful patches of greenery. The air, soil, light, and altitudes create ideal conditions for raising exceptional crops. As you drive the main roads, you’ll pass many hazelnut farms. It’s not often that they accept visitors, but here is a list of some major producers.

Stop #2: Shopping and tasting in Neive

Neive is a lovely little borgo, full of great restaurants, cute shops, stone churches and romantic alleyways. Here, the Donna Selvatica, or “Wild woman,” reigns. She is an enchanting mythical figure – a free-spirit and holder of ancient wisdom, wild beauty, and plenty of magic – who wanders the vineyards. Romano Levi, an equally bewitching distiller, immortalized her on his hand-drawn labels that donned his expertly made grappa. There is actually a museum dedicated to her at the distillery on the outskirts of town. But we were here to talk about hazelnuts, which you can find easily in this quaint town.

Stop #3: Coffee break

Coffee rituals change up and down the boot, and what makes it extra special in Le Langhe is their love affair with all things chocolate and hazelnuts. While Turin is famous for Bicerin, a chocolate-laden coffee topped with luxurious whipped cream, in the hills, you can easily find a Nutella-enriched “caffe’.” Don’t be afraid to ask for a spoonful in your coffee, even if you don’t see it on the menu. For more on coffee in Italy, check out our pocket guide.

Stop #4: The Ferrero factory from afar

Pietro Ferrero invented Nutella in the 1940s and went on to create other famous products such as the Ferrero Rocher chocolates, the Kinder line and even Tic Tacs. The Ferrero factory itself is impossible to tour (people have tried hard), but it’s in the center of the town of Alba and you can smell the chocolate if you get close enough. The company is so worried about secrets leaking out that they even engineer and make their own machines. This photo of the giant factory is from across the parking lot.

Stop #5: Taste test!

We love Nutella but there are plenty of hazelnut spreads worth trying in Italy. Crema Novi is from the nearby town of Novi Ligure – also known for its chocolate – and is not hard to find in Italy but we’ve never seen it abroad. We also love Pernigotti, which is absolutely luscious. It was difficult to decide which one we liked better, so we will just continue testing!