Roccaverano, a village above the hills

High in the rolling hills of southern Piemonte lies Roccaverano, small in size, yet rich in character. It is the kind of village you might almost overlook on a map, but once you arrive, you understand why it has stood proudly here for centuries.

At its heart rises the medieval tower, part of a network of ancient watchtowers that once guarded these hills. From the top, the view stretches endlessly across vineyards, forests and soft green valleys. On clear days, the landscape seems to unfold in every direction, quiet and unspoiled. It is easy to imagine how this elevated position once served as protection and how today it simply offers perspective.

Roccaverano moves at its own rhythm. Stone houses cluster around the small central square, where life unfolds gently. There is no rush here. Conversations linger. Church bells mark the hours. The air carries the scent of countryside and woodsmoke.

And then there is Osteria del Bramante.

Overlooking the square, this beloved restaurant has become something of a destination in itself. What many don’t know is that it began modestly, in a living room above the café downstairs. From those intimate beginnings, it grew into the refined yet welcoming osteria it is today. A place where tradition meets creativity, where local ingredients are treated with respect, and where long lunches effortlessly turn into long evenings.

Dining here feels deeply connected to the region. Seasonal vegetables, local cheeses, including the famous robiola di Roccaverano and carefully selected wines from the surrounding hills all find their way to the table. It is honest food, elevated by care and craftsmanship.

Roccaverano may be small, but it embodies much of what makes Piemonte so special, history without pretence, beauty without excess, and a way of life that invites you to slow down.

For guests of Villa Augustin, it is more than a nearby village. It is part of the experience, a place to wander, to climb the tower at sunset, and to settle into a table on the square as the sky turns soft pink above the hills.