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    Travel » Italy » Piedmont

    Villa on a Hilltop

    Published: Sep 23, 2011 · Modified: Dec 7, 2014 by Marissa Stevens · 3 Comments

    We’re at the farmer’s market in the medieval town of Asti. Tim and Rina, the owners of Villa Sampaguita, said we should try the local Roero peaches; “Buy them from the brothers who have a stand at the end of the square.” To one of the brothers I say,“Vorrei del Roero pesci, per favore." He tilts his head and furrows his brow. Then his eyes open wide and he points to the sky. “Pesche!” he says.
    asti-italy-famers-market-fruit-stand
    Pesci means fish.

    In our little VW, we drive out of Asti to SR10. In just a few miles, we turn right onto a two lane – no, one and a half lane - road. Our wheels climb over dips and bumps, around curves and elbows, to the last back-bend into the driveway of Villa Sampaguita. The Villa sits at the top of a hill regarding the landscape below.

    We amble down the driveway and have our usual welcome from the gaggle of geese. Then, out of the car, a purring hello from the cat, Mr. Bean. White sheets, hung to dry, softly flap in the breeze. Ducks and chickens scratch and waddle. Just beyond the fence is a small vineyard where the grapes are nearly ripe. On Sunday we’ll help to harvest them for the 2011 Villa Sampaguita wines.

    villa-sampaguita-asti

    geese-at-villa-sampaguita

    happy-cat-villa-ampaguita

    villa-sampaguita

    tim-rina-toni

    villa-sampaguita-vinyard

    In our little apartment, we slice tomatoes, mozzarella, melon, and, of course, Roero peaches. We pour a glass of wine and decide to sit outside. The air is warm and lightly scented by the jasmine in a barrel nearby.

    villa-sampaguita-rooms

    villa-sampaguita-kitchen

    villa-sampaguita-outside-table

    When we’re ready to slide into our sheets, the sky is black, pierced only by a golden half moon and a million sparkling stars. In this place, tension is outmatched.

    villa-sampaguita-view

    More Piedmont

    • Bagna Cauda
    • The Harvest, Stomping Grapes, and Eating Lunch
    • Royal Turin and the National Cinema Museum
    • The Wines of Asti

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    1. Dori says

      September 25, 2011 at 11:05 pm

      I feel my tension melting just reading your reactions.

      Reply
    2. Gordon says

      September 24, 2011 at 2:07 am

      That black & white kitty's a beauty.

      Reply
      • marissa says

        September 24, 2011 at 6:01 pm

        I agree, and so sweet. Tim says that he's an 'aristocat' because he was born 13 years ago in England.

        Reply

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