The joy of exploring new places in good company is my idea of a good time: winding country roads where you come to a crossroads and take in the lay of the land before deciding which way to go, sometimes on a whim and sometimes with intent. The region of Piemonte in the northwest corner of Italy is the perfect place for a wanderer, and one of my favourite pastimes over the past few years is finding Big Benches. 

Romantic, majestic, and dominant, the “Cedro di Libano” can be seen from almost any vantage point in the Barolo area. From the top of the vine-covered hill, this cedar tree has incredibly witnessed the Langhe wine region's metamorphosis for the last 165 years.