Bruno

A tiny town in the wine country of Piedmont, Bruno is a charming place in the hills where you can sample authentic Italian life. The town dates back to about the 4th century and is thought to have Gaelic roots. It is known that the castle was already standing in 1000 AD when it was acquired by the Abbazia di Fruttuaria; it passed then to various feudal lords, though the primary family that held Bruno was the aristocratic Faa' family, who were the counts of Bruno and Caretino (present also in Asti and Alessandria).

The sleepy town is in the heart of Asti wine country and is in fact called "city of vines and wines". It's a good place to make a winery tour of the area's vineyards. The cantina comunale is open on weekends or by appointment, but there are many scattered around the country roads. In particular, Barbera d'Asti, Dolcetto, Brachetto and of course spumante are among the vintages to try.

The village of Mombaruzzo is just a couple of kilometers away, offering more services; it's a nice walk along the road for those who enjoy a country walk. A few miles fruther away is the larger center of Nizza Monferrato, a beautiful town that was under the rule of the House of Savoy. You'll find plenty to see and do there. Bruno does have a nice coffee bar and a couple of authentic restaurants. You'll find grocery, cafes and more restaurants in close-by Mombaruzzo. The lovely spa town of Acqui Terme is only a half-hour away. Asti and Alessandria are little more than a half-hour, as well.