Rosignano Monferrato – Infernot, Wine and Art

Stone, Wine and Art in Monferrato

Rosignano Monferrato is part of the “Monferrato of the Infernot”, which belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato”. This gives you several appealing points of interest: distinctive underground architecture, regional wine culture, local cuisine and a place closely connected with art history.

Infernot are small underground cellars excavated in Pietra da Cantoni. This is a special geological formation found only in the Basso Monferrato. Two public Infernot in the town hall at Via Roma 19 can be visited on weekdays during the municipal administration’s opening hours. On Saturdays and Sundays, please contact the Info Point at Piazza Sant'Antonio. Availability should be checked in advance at info@comune.rosignanomonferrato.al.it.

Geological Trail and Historic Sites

The nine stages of the geological trail “I mari tropicali della Pietra da Cantoni e dintorni” in the main town can be reached on foot. The walk begins at Piazza Faletti and leads clockwise to Sant'Antonio. This provides a clearly structured circular route for discovering the area’s geological features.

Art also has a tangible presence in Rosignano Monferrato. Villa Maria was the home of the pointillist painter Angelo Morbelli for around half a century and preserves his studio, garden and documentary heritage. Castello Mellana was built at the request of the Mellana family at the beginning of the 20th century.

The local handicrafts exhibition features embroidery, ceramics, objects made from the typical Pietra da Cantoni, wood and marble works, as well as jewellery. In this way, the cultural perspective extends beyond individual historic buildings to include the area’s materials and craft traditions.

Wine and Regional Specialities

Grappa production in Rosignano Monferrato began in 1908 with the establishment of the distillery. The culinary tradition also includes Csenta, a traditional festive bread made with flour, pork cracklings and walnuts. Friciulin are traditional small meatballs; today’s version is prepared with beetroot, spinach and cooked salami.

Tuber Magnatum Pico, better known as the white truffle, has always been a typical product of the Valle Ghenza. In Rosignano Monferrato, typical wines of the Monferrato Casalese can be tasted and purchased. Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese is one of the region’s DOC wines.

A dedicated point of interest for this subject is the “Vetrina del Vino e della Viticoltura Rosignanese”, inaugurated on 23 May 2021. It is housed in the ancient cellars and Infernot of Casa Cassano, which were restored by the municipality.

On-site Visits

The Info Point at Piazza Sant'Antonio offers volunteer-guided visits on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 15:00 to 18:30. From Tuesday to Friday, it provides tourist information and organises visits on request: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 15:00 to 19:00, Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00. On Saturdays and Sundays, it is open for tourist information from 10:00 to 19:00. Visits organised by the Info Point require advance booking by email at info@comune.rosignanomonferrato.al.it.

To the higher-level travel overview: Alessandria.