Borgo Ramezzana: A True Gem Nested in Piedmont’s Countryside

By Masimo Terracina

Once upon a time…all the fairy tales start like that. But there are tales that still are on.

In Piemonte, the very bassinest of the Italian nation, that gave life to the Savoia dynasty, the kings replaced later by Republic, there are some unspoiled corners, true gems, undiscovered, kept for few to enjoy a territory that has nothing to envy to other more celebrated parts of Italy.

It is a story that tells you about Borgo Ramezzana country house, an ancient self sufficient group of little houses, a tower, a villa that once was one of the hundreds of country houses of the area, called “Grange”. It is an ancient story dating back to 1186 the beginning of the construction of this little fortified village, which ended in 1197. 

What characterizes and distinguishes Borgo Ramezzana is the presence of a crenelated tower and a neo-Gothic style building, a few tens of meters from the small church of the Borgo dedicated to San George. This medieval-style reconstruction of a manor house annexed to a farmhouse suggests the possible presence of previous structures, perhaps residues of the defenses of the medieval “grange”.

Ramezzana was one of the "granges" of the Lucedio Abbey, together with the nearby Montarucco and Montarolo. The locality is mentioned for the first time in 1183 and in its territory bricks from the Roman era were found in 1880. 

Borgo Ramezzana, like any other grange, was raised to the role of Commenda in 1457 and then, with the secularization of the Church's possessions, passed to the Mauritian Order in 1784.

After many centuries of life, on september 1900, Borgo Ramezzana was sold by Giorgio and Ernestina Rattone to Giovanni Battista Vercellotti, great-grandfather of the current owner, Gabriella Piazza, your will-be-host, whenever you will have the chance to pass by and stop.

Here, at the foot of Monferrato hills, people know the phenomena of nature, the sweet and beautiful ones of the rice fields that when flooded mirror the mountains, of the rustling of the grass and fiery sunsets.

Borgo Ramezzana, after years of abandonment and ruin, has been completely and constantly restored, in a 10 years span, and now is synonymous with relaxation, silence, peace and good food, and from the current days also with greater attention to comfort and safety.

Borgo Ramezzana is an ideal place for an escape into the greenery in a fairytale setting: more than ever today we all need spaces to walk and cycle along the paths and in the woods, a slow holiday to realign ourselves with ourselves according to the rhythms of nature.

A relaxing time from spring to fall is perfect to discover the small wonders of the Borgo and to taste the specialties of the local cuisine performed by chef Rinaldo Gerra, who awaits you!

There are so many things to do in the time between breakfast, lunch and dinner… A nice swimming pool nested in the heart of the walls overlooking the magnificent Piedmont countryside is awaiting for you to refresh, after a walk, or a bicycle ride or a visit in the spread, enchanting neighborhood.

Even the booking policy of Borgo Ramezzana is inviting: flexible booking conditions with the possibility of cancellation without penalty within 3 days before arrival, in the event that the condition of a safe journey is no longer guaranteed.

Another topic is the possibility to enjoy the rich and various breakfast in the garden with table service, and “en suite” the opportunity to choose the delights proposed by the chef from a very rich menu for lunch and dinner, or special occasion.

An easier option, a light lunch by the pool or a chic picnic to enjoy in a corner of the park reserved for the guests relaxation, in the cool beside the stream or under leafy trees.

Borgo Ramezzana, an ancient 19th century residence transformed into an “hotel de charme”, is the ideal place for a stay dedicated to taste and elegance, in a romantic and refined atmosphere.

The ten rooms and suites are distributed between the "Manor house" and the "Farmer's house". The first maintain and underline the ancient function of representative house with the preciousness of the details, with fireplaces, painted ceilings, furnishings of the Piedmontese nineteenth-century tradition flanked by touches of Orient. 

The refurbishment of the "Casa del Fattore" (Farmer’s house) gave life to six rooms on two floors in a contemporary style but embellished with furnishings that speak of India, China, Japan, Indonesia.

Great attention has been given to comfort and relaxation: the beds are made up of comfortable and elegant box springs on which memory foam mattresses guarantee absolute rest. 

For the elegant atmosphere of its small room, the "La Torre" restaurant awaits you for an intimate and romantic à la carte dinner, while the beautiful and bright reception room is the ideal place to host prestigious events and ceremonies.

It offers refined local specialties: the rice tradition of the area is celebrated with a sumptuous risotto menu, which presents the main dish dressed in the flavors of the seasons. Among the appetizers there is no shortage of Monferrato salami and delicious flans, while the culinary journey of the second course ranges from DOC Piedmontese meats to fish. 

The desserts of the Borgo sign the menu with a choice of traditional delights all homemade. The cellar is excellent, offering a vast selection of Italian and foreign wines.

Borgo, thanks to the possibility of using both the internal spaces of the large party room, and the external ones of the poolside garden and the park with a gazebo that hosts aperitif moments, is the ideal setting for a spectacular wedding reception . A classy environment where you can also organize civil or religious weddings in the adjacent private church of San Giorgio.

In a relaxed and elegant atmosphere, work appointments, meetings, conferences, team building initiatives can also find space.

Honestly, it is worth visiting, for an unforgettable experience.