Merenda sinoira at Tenuta Montemagno
A Piedmontese tradition to rediscover among vineyards, local flavours and the timeless charm of the Monferrato hills.
Some traditions tell the story of a place better than words ever could. Merenda sinoira is one of them: a convivial ritual deeply rooted in Piedmont, born in the countryside as a moment of pause at the end of the working day.
In the late afternoon, people would gather around the table with whatever the kitchen had to offer: bread, cured meats, cheeses, frittatas, vegetables, carpione specialities and, of course, wine. Simple yet substantial dishes, shared informally and enjoyed slowly, often until evening.
More generous than a snack and more spontaneous than dinner, merenda sinoira still preserves the pleasure of coming together and, in many ways, anticipates the spirit of the Piedmontese aperitivo.
The journey begins aboard a 1980s Fiat Panda
At Tenuta Montemagno, merenda sinoira takes on a character all its own.
Before reaching the table, the experience begins on the roads of Monferrato Astigiano, aboard a 1980s Fiat Panda tied to the family’s history and now reimagined to accompany guests through the hills surrounding the estate. More than a vintage car, it is a fragment of memory brought back to life among vineyards, rows of vines and views over Montemagno.
Accompanied by an expert guide, the journey unfolds at a leisurely pace, allowing the scents, colours and quiet of the countryside to lead naturally towards the merenda sinoira.
The route eventually reaches the vineyards, where a table is set beneath the shade of a tree, in a secluded corner immersed in nature.
Here, the tradition comes to life through a selection of Piedmontese flavours: local cured meats and cheeses, friciulin, Russian salad, carpione specialities and freshly baked focaccia, accompanied by three glasses of Tenuta Montemagno wines per person, selected to enhance the flavours and create a direct connection with the surrounding vineyards.
A moment to enjoy without rushing, which at sunset can naturally turn into an aperitivo and offer, through food, landscape and conviviality, one of the most authentic ways to experience Monferrato.
