#1 What is a typical day?

  • Breakfast

  • Two-hour tutorial

  • Lunch

  • Two-hour group manuscript workshop

  • Individual one-hour conferences

  • Dinner

  • Reading

#2 May I attend more than one retreat session simultaneously?

Yes! Tutorials, workshops and conferences are staggered accordingly.

#3 Upon acceptance into the program, what is the timeline for payments?

Upon admission, attendees make payment in full for lodging to the estate in order to secure a place in the program.

By maximum 8 weeks prior to the starting date of the retreat week/s, attendees make payment in full for tuition to the teacher.

#4 What is the Melete refund policy?

For both tuition and lodging, the policy is 100% refund when we are able to secure a replacement.

A canceling attendee is welcome to refer a prospective substitute for consideration.

#5 Is a meal plan offered at the estate restaurant?

Once any and all food aversions have been identified for each weekly group, the estate’s gourmet chef will create and propose an optional prix fixe menu. A prix fixe meal must be reserved at least eight hours in advance. The menus will be whimsically inspired by the work of famous authors who wrote about the Piedmont region of Italy.

#6 What famous authors wrote about the Piedmont region of Italy?

Stendhal, Charles Dickens, Gustave Flaubert, Tolstoy, Mark Twain, Henry James, Ernest Hemingway, Primo Levi, Natalia Ginzburg and Italo Calvino all sang the praises of Piedmont. And Umberto Eco hailed from there!

#7 If I want to attend multiple retreats with time gaps in between, may I remain lodged at the estate during the gaps?

Yes, subject to availability. You may also participate in attendee prix fixe meal plans and extracurricular activities, if desired.

#8 What extracurricular activities are offered?

The estate offers cooking lessons, wine and cheese tours as well as excursions to a national park and golf course.

#9 In addition to the one-hour private conference with teachers allotted to each attendee, is it possible to book additional one-on-one time?

Yes! Additional private sessions may be booked at the rate of $175/hour, subject to availability.

#10 Is wine produced by the estate available for purchase?

Yes! Premium wines produced by the estate include:

COLPO D’ALA MONFERRATO ROSSO DOC

DALLALTO – BAROLO DOCG

SANT’EMILIANO BARBERA D’ASTI SUPERIORE DOCG

MARCHESE LEOPOLDO PIEMONTE PINOT NERO DOC

#11 Where can I read about the history of the Marquisate of Incisa lordship?

You can read about it here.