We are going back into the fray next March and I am looking for advice for a group of 3 with private 3 day tours during a 4 day trip. Last year we stayed in the town of Barolo and it was great. Our thinking this trip is hit Barbaresco harder (2 days) while not driving ourselves so a town with great enotecas, tasting rooms and restaurants is our want. For some reason I feel Alba is a bit too commercial for our needs, Considering La Morra and Castiglione Falatto which we had visited and had great meals and winery visits in last trip. I am leaning La Morra unless I get some insight from you here and my tour operator in the region this week.
I think our only revisit will be Burzi. We love those guys. Thanks for your time
If wanting to hit Barbaresco harder, you could always stay around there, and it makes a quick hop into Alba very easy indeed, say for the weekly (or is it twice weekly?) street market.
Alternatively there are some nice places between Barolo and Barbaresco. They’ll feel like tourism isn’t affecting them, and helps make the longest journey shorter, but it does take away the option of strolling to some appointments (which can be a brilliant thing to do for an afternoon visit, allowing the designated driver some time off-duty, and allowing them to drink freely).
La Morra has lots of producers, very much covering the full range of styles, from ultra-modernist to ultra-traditional and everything inbetween. Some good dining and accommodation options, with good potential to walk to/from the evening meal.
We’ve not stayed in Castiglione Falletto, but did walk there from Serralunga d’Alba. It seemed pleasant enough, with a good regional enoteca in an old building. Serralunga has a lovely central area to walk.
In terms of being touristy, La Morra has a bit of that feel, but less than Barolo (you shouldn’t see coach parties in La Morra), and Castiglione Falletto a bit less touristy again. We’ve also enjoyed staying in Monforte d’Alba, which has some lovely dining options. Verduno is quieter still, yet handy for La Morra, and offers an alternative route to Barbaresco, by heading for the main Alba-Cuneo road near the Campari factory.
No bad options IMO, and it’s not the worst idea to find accommodation you love the look of, and then flexing the wine/dining choices around that.
Worth checking out the Langhe, roero & moferrato tourist office site for accommodation, as they usually have a very extensive listing and can offer advice / guidance / booking based on your preferences. We personally prefer apartments, but places like Boasso/Gabutti in Serralunga and valdispino in santa vittoria d’alba have included breakfast, making them more flexible to those used to hotel living (we enjoyed both).
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Thanks, Ian, great info.
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Actually I love to stay in Alba, it is centrally located to everything and don’t think is too commercial at all. I feel like is the less touristy place in the area and also allows you to go out to dinner without driving, which can be difficult in the smaller villages. It also has a couple of good cocktail bars if you want a drink after dinner .
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Alba is also where the truffle fair and donkey palio are held. 
I will also be heading to Barolo next March/April - may I ask which tour operator you’re going through?
My current thinking is to book a private driver for two days and try to reach out in advance to some of my favorite producers for visits/tastings - but I’m also interested in the thought of a curated, yet tailored experience.