Don’t go during the harvest. Yes, Autumn is a fantastic time to go to Italy. But if wine tasting is your focus, you’ll meet overworked and tired vineyard employees and owners who may actually be too busy to pay much attention to you. You’ll be among throngs of tourists, which adds challenges to parking and booking a hotel. If you’re going for a festival or fair that is only on at that time of year like the Asti Palio or one of the truffle or cheese fairs, then by all means, go (just try to avoid weekends) and for wine tasting, stick to enotecas or to the larger vineyards that are set up to accommodate tourists. But if your dates are flexible, visit the area in the spring when the vines are green, wine makers are relaxed and happy to show you around, and other travelers create a nice buzz in the air, and not a stressful chaos.
