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Page 100, in 2014, the Vineyard Landscape of the Langhe Any time of year is great for visiting this area, but if we had to choose a
entered the Unesco World Heritage List.
Page 101, The Defender First Edition specific season and a way to best enjoy its most authentic spirit, it would
certainly be in the late fall in an off-road vehicle.

Stretching across the lower part of Piedmont, embraced by The morning fog dissipates over a blanket of freshly
the waters of the Tanaro, Belbo, and Bormida rivers, and cra- fallen golden leaves, the temperature rises, the light enliv-
dled in the south by the Maritime Alps is the area known as the ens the vivid shades of autumn colors. When we arrive at
Langhe. It is a land of gently rolling hills, with rows of vineyards the Marchesi di Barolo wine cellars, we’re greeted with the
rushing past the vehicle window, alternating with villages, for- warm smiles of Anna and Ernesto Abbona, along with their
ests, and towns. The Langhe is a unique place, as is the soil kids Valentina and Davide. It is they who carry on the histo-
of its hills. Grey and compact, it’s perfect for nourishing the ry of great wines that started here over two centuries ago.
grapes that give rise to some of the best wines in the world, There is something mystical about these historic cel-
and ideal for growing that rare and highly coveted treasure, His lars. The large barrels, neatly arranged in two rows flanking
Royal Highness the white truffle. the walls of a very long hallway, are caressed by a warm,
Any time of year is great for visiting this area, but if we had soft light and framed by crimson curtains. It’s like the stage
to choose a specific season and a way to best enjoy its most of an ancient, silent theater where the magic of wine un-
authentic spirit and magical atmosphere, it would certainly folds, where it gestates and comes into existence. This is
be in the late fall in an off-road vehicle. Navigating the muddy where the legendary Barolo is born. Cheers.
roads between the vineyards, which take on brilliant hues after Just enough time to load a few cases of precious wine
the harvest, discovering the secret trails in the woods made in the (thankfully spacious) trunk of our Land Rover and
by the legendary trifolau, the solitary truffle hunters with their we’re off again. Barolo is now behind us, its castle perched
loyal and infallible dogs. above the town.

With its three-liters, six-cylinders, and 400 HP, the un- Next stop: Treiso, in the heart of the Langhe. We punch
mistakable silhouette of our Land Rover Defender climbs up the destination into the navigator, set into the magnesium
through the rows of grapevines. We’re completely surrounded alloy dashboard.
by vineyards. Then, after a curve, the scenery opens up to re- A few turns later, and here we are. We park in front
veal a breathtaking landscape. You can hear the motor only at of a beautiful building from the 1930, austere and ele-
full acceleration, the pull of the low engine torque is a pleasure. gant with its geometric façade and exposed brick. And
The high driving position, the acoustically isolated interiors. it’s time for lunch, right on schedule. We go to La Ciau del The unique silhouette of the Defender: squared shapes and rounded corners; on the back, the iconic external spare
The sound system is playing Paolo Conte. It’s like he’s there, Tornavento – what a restaurant. A small entrance leads
playing in the back seat. “It’s wonderful, it’s wonderful…” to the dining hall with high ceilings and hardwood floors. wheel, and the tailgate hinged on the right side
Another curve and the terrain changes. All it takes is a We sit at a table with a breathtaking view of the vineyards.
menu button on the touchscreen in the center of the dash- Maurilio Garola, the soul of the place, loves local traditional
board to switch to off-road mode. Muddy turf. The air shocks flavors and shines his Michelin star on the local products
ensure we have enough ground clearance. Full speed ahead, of the Langhe. Before lunch, however, Maurilio invites us to
nothing can stop us. follow him.

102 Adventure Protagonist Protagonist Adventure 103