The vineyard sites are both inside and outside these MGA (Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive, commonly referred to as “cru”) and the following areas are registered for “Nebbiolo da Barolo.”
They are as follows:
Pernanno MGA: in Castigline Falletto. Size: 0.25ha (100% Nebbiolo da Barolo), used from 2012 thru the 2019 vintage.
Serralunga: This plot borders but is not part of one of the best MGA in Serralunga. Size: 0.2ha (100% Nebbiolo da Barolo), used since 2014.
Monforte: In the Località Ginestra of Monforte d’Alba, near the village cemetery. Size: 0.48ha (100% Nebbiolo da Barolo), used since 2015
Vignane MGA: in Barolo. Size: 1.6ha (0.98ha Nebbiolo da Barolo, 0.38 Nebbiolo da Nebbiolo Langhe, 0.24 Chardonnay), used since 2018.
Coste di Rose MGA: in Barolo. Size: 1.1 ha (0.56ha Nebbiolo da Barolo, 0.34 Nebbiolo da Nebbiolo Langhe, 0.2 Chardonnay), used since 2020
Vineyards By Commune:
Monforte d’Alba (Loc. Ginestra): The site is located near the Monforte cemetery near the southern edge of the Barolo boundary, east-facing between 470-500m with almost 0.5ha planted. The soil is heavy with a high percentage of clay, mixed with moderate sand content, and gives structure and acidity to the final wine.
Total Vineyard Area: 0.48ha
Planted to Nebbiolo da Barolo: 0.48ha
Castiglione Falletto (Pernanno MGA): the site is 0.25ha in the SE-facing portion of the Pernanno MGA, close to the village of Castiglione, on a very steep sandy slope between 240-290m. Mechanization is impossible in this precipitous vineyard. Everything must be carried in and out by hand – usually on your shoulders … and the access road is at the top of the slope. I called this site the “alcol gym.” This parcel gives fruit of a particular delicacy with high-toned aromatics with dark cherry and strawberry overtones. My lease ran out after the 2019 vintage. It was a sad day to say goodbye to these old plants, some of whom were 70+ years old.
Total Vineyard Area: 0.25ha
Planted to Nebbiolo da Barolo: 0.25ha
Serralunga d’Alba: The 0.2ha site borders but is just outside one of the historic cru of the village, between 300 and 320m altitude with clay soil and small amounts of sand. I have been friends for years with the grape-growing family that owns this planting and since 2014 they have supplied me with outstanding fruit from this site. The character of this site provides tannin and structure to the M8 Barolo.
Total Vineyard Area: 0.2ha
Planted to Nebbiolo da Barolo: 0.2ha
Barolo (Vignane MGA): In the commune of Barolo, the 1.6ha Vignane is on a southwest-facing hill between 240-280m. The parcel consists of 0.98ha for “Nebbiolo da Barolo” and 0.62ha of other plantings. The soil has inter-fingerings and alternating layers of sand and lighter clays. Vignane is known for fruit of exceptional elegance and harmony.
Vignane had about 0.6 ha of land that was originally planted with Dolcetto and Chardonnay but has been partially re-registered for Nebbiolo Langhe that was planted in spring 2020. The first vintage with fruit from this site will be in 2022. There remains about 0.24ha of Chardonnay.
Total Vineyard Area: 1.6ha
Planted to Nebbiolo da Barolo: 0.98ha
Planted to Nebbiolo Langhe: 0.38ha
Planted to Chardonnay: 0.24ha
Barolo (Coste di Rose MGA): The Coste di Rose site is 1ha on a steep, east-southeast facing slope of high sand percentage. The vines are between 250 and 290m in altitude and the part planted to Nebbiolo da Barolo is about 0.58ha. The bottom of the hill is planted to Chardonnay and Nebbiolo Langhe where the altitude is too low for Nebbiolo da Barolo. The upper section of the hill is Nebbiolo da Barolo.
Total Vineyard Area: 1.1ha
Planted to Nebbiolo da Barolo: 0.56ha
Planted to Nebbiolo Langhe: 0.34ha
Planted to Chardonnay: 0.2ha
In 2020, plants used to make Barolo range in age from 9-55 years old across the four vineyard sites.
All vineyards are worked by hand for pruning, tying, trimming, scarzuré (scacchiatura), crop and shoot thinning, shoot arranging, trellis cleaning, weaving the “ar caplé”, and harvest. A tractor is used for only limited work in Monforte, Serralunga, Vignane and Coste di Rose.
