in rural Italy
La Raia, the biodynamic winery and boutique hotel in Piedmont, Italy, is welcoming guests back for a new season in the rolling hills of Gavi, in Lower Piedmont.
Set within the biodynamic 200-hectare estate of La Raia, where vineyards, woods, lakes, gardens and farmland form a singular ecosystem, the estate’s hospitality offers the expansion of Borgo de La Raia: an ancient rural hamlet carefully restored in 2024 into a space for hospitality, and now further developed with the addition of two new apartments, Ape Regina and La Villa, introducing a more residential style of stay.
Located just over an hour’s drive from Milan and under an hour from Genoa, La Raia offers an immersive countryside retreat where hospitality, wine, gastronomy, wellness and culture are deeply intertwined. For Spring 2026, the estate presents a wider and more flexible approach to hospitality, responding to different rhythms of travel, from intimate stays at Locanda La Raia to more spacious and independent accommodation within the Borgo.
Positioned at the northern edge of the estate in one of Gavi’s most evocative settings, Borgo de La Raia overlooks an unspoilt valley, surrounded by woods, vineyards and a small hidden lake reached on foot. The original farmhouse, barn and patio are arranged around a large circular courtyard, bordered by the rows of the Cortese vineyard, from which the estate’s cru, Gavi Pisé, is produced.
For the 2026 season, Borgo de La Raia expands with the addition of Ape Regina and La Villa, two restored apartments accommodating up to nine guests in total, further strengthening its role as a private and residential counterpart to the Locanda within the wider La Raia experience.
Ape Regina, located on the first floor of the Borgo’s main farmhouse, is a 115 sqm apartment designed for up to four guests, with the possibility of an additional child’s bed. It features two bedrooms, a spacious open-plan living area with dining room and fully equipped kitchen, and a balcony overlooking the inner courtyard and surrounding valley.
La Villa, a detached house arranged over two floors, offers a more expansive layout of approximately 150 sqm, accommodating up to five guests. Its bright living spaces open onto a terrace with sweeping views across the Borgo and surrounding hills.
Both residences are equipped with fully fitted kitchens and stocked with a selection of local and organic products, allowing guests to experience the estate with greater independence while remaining connected to its wider offering.
The Borgo also represents one of the estate’s most atmospheric settings for private events and celebrations, including intimate weddings and multi-day gatherings, where the combination of historic architecture, open landscapes and a sense of complete seclusion allows for a deeply personal and immersive experience. From ceremonies overlooking the valley to dinners in the courtyard and moments shared across the estate, La Raia has increasingly become a destination for those seeking a refined yet understated countryside setting for weddings rooted in nature, food, wine and culture.
At the heart of the experience remains La Raia’s gastronomic offering. The estate’s restaurant, awarded a Michelin Green Star, continues under the culinary direction of Tommaso Arrigoni, alongside resident chef Mirko Natali, whose menus interpret the traditions of Gavi cuisine through a contemporary lens shaped by seasonality and sustainability.
Wine remains central to any stay at La Raia. Guests can explore the estate’s biodynamic philosophy through cellar visits and tastings, discovering wines produced from the surrounding vineyards, including its Gavi DOCG expressions from Cortese grapes, Piemonte Barbera and limited Pinot Noir and Passito di Cortese.
Beyond the table, La Raia invites guests to discover the estate through its three itineraries: the wine itinerary, leading through the vineyards to the cellar; the art itinerary, which runs across the estate and connects the permanent site-specific works commissioned by Fondazione La Raia; and the biodiversity itinerary, a three-kilometre route through cultivated land, woods, lakes and streams, revealing the rich environmental mosaic that defines the estate.
Wellness continues to shape the guest experience across the estate. At Locanda La Raia, the wellness area includes a sauna, Turkish bath, Himalayan salt wall, indoor and outdoor temperature-controlled pool, and a Technogym-equipped gym overlooking the garden. At Borgo de La Raia, yoga and Pilates sessions, as well as ceramics workshops, offer slower and more meditative ways to engage with the landscape. Guests can also make use of the estate’s tennis court, explore cycling routes through the surrounding hills, or join guided trekking excursions in the nearby Val Borbera and Val di Lemme.
For more information,
visit www.la-raia.it/en
