Meet me In Monferrato: Art and Wine at the Art Park La Court

June 16, 2020

Highlights Langhe monferrato

Simona Martinotti

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In Monferrato the vineyards are part of the landscape and of everyone’s life. Immersed in the colors of the vineyard, a natural museum creates art and events among the rows of Barbera grapes.

Every one in Monferrato has at least a grandfather, an uncle, some relative who had a vineyard, small or large, for work or for pleasure, or even just for some DIY “good wine” to put on the table. When I was a girl, not many years ago, after school, I felt like playing in the shade and hiding among the vineyard rows. Then suddenly a dog barked and someone shouted: – The farmer! – and fled in a not too elegant way. In these days I have instead discovered a very particular vineyard, made specifically to be attended as a garden or rather, a museum.

The Art Park La Court is a “widespread museum”, where works of art are placed between the rows or in the courtyards of the farm, ready to be admired in complete tranquility.

A producer of prestigious wines, Michele Chiarlo, who cultivates wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco in various estates in Monferrato and Langhe, in Castelnuovo Calcea (AT) invited several artists such as Emanuele Luzzati and Ugo Nespolo to create art among the rows of Barbera grapes.

We pass through Nespolo’s “Door to the Hills“, which frames the panorama among the scent of the broom, and then admires four great works by the scenographer Luzzati, inspired by the four elements: water, air, fire and earth; the latter welcomes visitors next to the rural building where tastings, exhibitions and events are organized.

The Signal Heads by Rolando Carbone and Dedo Roggero Fossati are very interesting and seem to be guarding the precious vine leaves.

From the panoramic tower you can admire all the surrounding hills: it is clear why these places have been declared World Heritage Sites.

In the Art Park there is also one of the famous Big Bench designed by Chris Bangle, now scattered throughout most of Northern Italy and which in Piedmont create an itinerary that invites you to visit villages, appreciate panoramas and enjoy the goodness of the local products.

The built-up area of Castelnuovo Calcea is also interesting: the remains of the ancient castle, whose tower has now been restored and the Parish church of Santo Stefano Martire, in Baroque style, are worth a visit.