Mangialonga in La Morra: The Ultimate Walking Food & Wine Adventure in Piemonte
Italy’s Langhe region is famous for its rolling vineyards, world-class Barolo wine, and culinary traditions that make your taste buds do a happy dance. But there’s one experience that combines all of this in a way that’s completely unique: the Mangialonga in La Morra.
Literally translating to “long eat,” this walking food and wine festival is an iconic celebration of Piemonte’s culinary and wine heritage and we finally got to experience it firsthand in 2025.
From sipping Barolo while strolling past vineyards to tasting local dishes at every turn, the Mangialonga is the perfect blend of indulgence, adventure, and Italian charm.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know – from planning your day to tasting notes at every stop – so you can make the most of this unforgettable Piemonte experience.
Short on Time? Here are the key takeaways:
- The Mangialonga is a noncompetitive 4K walking food and wine festival in La Morra, Piemonte that always takes place the last weekend in August.
- Expect 7 stops featuring wines like Barolo, Barbera, and Nebbiolo, paired with local dishes like plin pasta, salumi, polenta, and desserts.
- Book your tickets in advance and stay in La Morra to make the day smooth and stress-free.
- Wear comfortable shoes, sunblock, and bring a water bottle – you’ll be walking, but it’s leisurely.
- Watching our video on YouTube of the adventure can help you plan and get excited for your trip.
Boozing Abroad contains affiliate links throughout the site. If you choose to purchase items through these links, we will earn a small commission at NO extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure policy here**
What is the Mangialonga in La Morra?
The Mangialonga started back in 1986 when a group of friends in La Morra wanted a creative way to showcase the region’s culinary and wine culture. One of them jokingly suggested: “Why don’t we just walk through the vineyards and eat along the way?” That offhand comment turned into the iconic food and wine walk we know today.
Fast forward to now, the Mangialonga is a 4-kilometer (noncompetitive) walk through vineyards, with multiple stops for tasting Piemonte wines and traditional dishes that takes place (rain or shine) the last weekend in August. Over the years, this concept has inspired similar events worldwide, but nothing beats experiencing the original Mangialonga right here in the Langhe hills.
It’s indulgence meets exercise. Think sipping Barolo while taking in sweeping vineyard views, nibbling on fresh plin pasta, and dancing a little when a local DJ pops up. That’s the Mangialonga vibe in a nutshell.
The Mangialonga Route & Wine Stops
The route winds through stunning Langhe vineyards, rolling hills, and quaint village streets.
Every stop highlights different wines and dishes, giving you an awesome snapshot of Piemonte’s food and wine culture.
Stop 1 – Aperitivo & Roero Arneis
We kicked off with Roero Arneis, a light white wine from the northern Alba area. Perfect for an aperitivo, it paired beautifully with regional bites like olive spreads, giardiniera, and a green quiche. The sun was shining, and we were officially in sipsy mode.
Stop 2 – Salumi & Dolcetto
Next, a local band greeted us while we sampled salumi and lard. Dolcetto wine accompanied the flavors perfectly. At this stop, we were able to pick 2 Dolcetto wines to try.
The energy was picking up, and it was fun chatting with other participants – we even made friends from Australia!
Stop 3 – Pasta & Barbera/Nebbiolo
Here came the carb load: plin pasta, somewhere between tortellini and ravioli, lightly dressed in butter sauce.
We paired it with Barbera first, then Nebbiolo for round two. These wines balanced the pasta perfectly and kept the day moving.
Stop 4 – Beef, Polenta & Barolo
At this point, we were definitely feeling the “walk” and it made us earn every sip!
Next up was beef and polenta, paired with Barolo DOCG. This was the first time we got to taste Barolo on the walk, something this region is famous for. We were able to taste 2 Barolo wines here, which were perfect and of course, delicious.
There was a DJ at this stop and you could tell the participants were feeling the wine at this point! We stayed here and danced for a bit before moving on to the longest portion on this hike downhill.
Stop 5 – Sorbetto
This was a welcome stop that we didn’t know we needed. While we started this adventure at 10:15 AM, it was nearing 1 PM when we reached stop 5. This stop was only Lemon Sorbetto, no wine. The sun had been baking us while we walked through vineyards to get here and we really appreciated the break from wine to enjoy this perfect cold treat.
Stop 6 – Cheeses & More Barolo Wine
By now, everyone’s energy was high with yet another DJ pumping out tunes. For this pairing, we were given cheeses and a second round of Barolo brought us to a happy peak. Two glasses of wine were also available at this stop.
At this point, we were slightly panicked as we were a solid mile away from the starting line and the way back to La Morra would have been a solid uphill climb. Luckily, a bus was provided by the organizers to help us get back to the dreamy hilltop town.
Stop 7 – Moscato & Sweet Treats
The last stop featured Moscato paired with amaretto-hazelnut crumb cake. A café rounded out the day for some caffeine recovery. By this point, we were full, tipsy, a little sweaty and grinning from ear to ear.
A major dance party was breaking out under the pavilion and being in the first group to go out in the morning meant that this party was just getting started.
Planning Your Mangialonga Adventure
If you want to fully enjoy the Mangialonga, a little planning goes a long way. We learned firsthand that the difference between a smooth, indulgent day and a slightly chaotic one comes down to timing, comfort, and strategy.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Tickets & Timing
The Mangialonga starts at 10:15 AM and slots run every half hour through 1:45 PM, so you can choose a start time that fits your vibe. We went for the 10:15 AM slot, and it was perfect – early enough to enjoy the day without feeling rushed, but late enough to have a proper breakfast beforehand.
We lucked out with gorgeous weather, but it definitely got hot in the afternoon. If you want to start closer to lunch time, keep in mind that you’ll be exposed to the afternoon temperatures at the start.
In total, we started at 10:15 AM and reached stop 7 around 2:45 PM. We didn’t rush and truly did stop and enjoy ourselves along the way. We found that embracing the leisurely pace is part of the Mangialonga magic. It’s about enjoying the journey, the food, the wine, and the views – not racing through to finish.
The tickets for 7 courses and 10 wines were €60 per person. Given how much you got, we think this is fairly priced and well worth it!
Pro tip: Book at least a month in advance. The earlier slots tend to fill up fast, and starting early means fewer crowds at each wine stop.
Where to Stay & Parking
La Morra is adorable but tiny, which is part of its charm. However, that also means parking and transportation can be tricky if you’re coming in from a nearby town.
We highly recommend staying in La Morra. We personally stayed at the Blueberry Rooms and loved the location. We were able to wake up, grab breakfast, stroll to the starting line, and start sipping vino without any stress.
Plus, staying local gives you the chance to explore the village before or after the walk – a hidden bonus! Click here to check availability and prices for all accommodations in La Morra.
When we were being bused up to La Morra after stop 6, the street into town was lined with cars for participants who were starting in a later time slot. This meant that they had quite a walk just to get to the starting line before they even got started.
Our Australian friends stayed in Barolo and hired a driver to drop them off and pick them up. For them, they started in the same group as us at 10:15 AM and had a pick up time of 4 PM. So they had plenty of time between when we finished at 2:45 PM and pick up time. You can 100% go much faster than this if you want – we just didn’t feel the need to rush.
What to Wear
This is not a glamorous catwalk – it’s a walking food and wine adventure through multiple vineyards.
Tennis shoes or other comfortable walking shoes are essential. You’ll be on hills, gravel paths, vineyard trails, and sometimes muddy terrain depending on the weather. We’d highly recommend closed-toed shoes for this.
Light, breathable clothing is ideal, as is a small backpack to hold water and any essentials you might need along the way. There are also water fill stations at each stop. Many people used their wine glass to drink water, but we personally liked having a separate wine-free bottle.
There is also a costume contest, which is why if you watch our YouTube, you’ll see our friends dressed in some fun tropical attire. We have no idea when they announce a winner or what that person gets, but if you want, you can dress up. We chose comfort over a contest.
What to Bring
Here’s your essential Mangialonga packing list:
- Sunblock: Even on cloudy days, you’ll be exposed to the Piemonte sun.
- Sunglasses / Hat
- Water bottle: Hydration is key when you’re sipping wine all day.
- Maybe an Extra layer: Mornings in the Langhe can be cool, especially as summer fades to fall, and the hills can be breezy. I started with just a tank top which was cold in the shade, but it warmed up quickly and I’m personally glad I didn’t have more clothing on. This is obviously highly dependent on the year.
Food & Wine Strategy
One thing we quickly noticed about the Mangialonga is that some stops are like a mini wine wonderland.
For us, stops 2 through 5 had 40+ bottles of wine offered, which sounds incredible… until you actually have to choose.
If, like us, you’re just starting to learn about Piemonte wines, varietals, and local producers, it can feel totally overwhelming.
At first, we weren’t sure where to start. We tried to read labels, guess at flavor profiles, and then just ended up asking the staff for recommendations.
Pro tip: some of the staff are not producers themselves, so while they’re helpful, they might not know all the details about each bottle. Don’t stress – that’s part of the fun!
We also discovered that it’s okay to go back to the same producer twice, but pick different varietals. We did this twice, and it ended up being one of the highlights – comparing subtle differences between wines from the same vineyard really helped us appreciate the depth of the region.
Even if the choices felt overwhelming, every glass was a little gem.
The takeaway: Don’t overthink it. Just pick one and roll with it. We guessed all day with NO strategy and never had a bad glass of wine.
Watch Our Mangialonga Adventure on YouTube
If you want a front-row seat to the full Mangialonga experience, check out our video walkthrough.
The Mangialonga in La Morra is more than just a wine festival – it’s an immersive, playful, and delicious journey through one of Italy’s most celebrated wine regions.
Trust us: this is a must-do experience in Langhe and Barolo country, and we’re thrilled to share it with you.
Looking for more Italy travel? Explore all our Italy travel guides here and start planning your next adventure!
Ready to visit La Morra, Italy? Read hotel reviews on TripAdvisor then book your room here!
But where do we personally recommend? Blueberry Rooms were simple, cozy and in the best location!
Don’t forget to pick up a travel guidebook for your other adventures.
Love this guide? Have questions? Get in touch with us on Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest
