The old "Madama Reale" vineyard, also known as Villa Abegg, is a building whose fortunes are inextricably tied to those of its gardens, what's left of the vineyard once owned by Piedmont regent Christine of France. To the Duchess this was a place to be in peace and solitude away from her brothers-in-law's spies, surrounded only by her most trusted attendants as she tended to her formal duties. A popular legend even claims that Christine had a secret tunnel built connecting the villa to the Castle of Valentino, for the exclusive use of her many lovers: clearly nothing more than a rumor... but when the "Royal Madame" is involved, anything's possible.