Marco Brangero

MARCO BRANGERO

DIANO D’ALBA | PIEDMONT

Founded:		2006
Owner:		Marco Brangero
Winemaker:		Marco Brangero
Hectares under vines:		8.5ha
Altitude above sea level:		500m
Average annual production:		65,000 bottles
Green code:		organic, not certified

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WHAT THEY SAY

The Brangero farm is located in Diano d'Alba, on the highest part of the hill in front of the town. A splendid view of the Langhe hills, the beautiful town of Alba, the vines that surround the building enjoy the most favorable climatic and exhibition position.

Marco Brangero acquired a parcel in the famed Monvigliero vineyard, and he makes a spectacular wine from those vines in his cellar in Barolo. The Arneis, Chardonnay and Alta Langa are vinified and bottled in the Diano winery.

WHAT WE SAY

We knew that Marco had a good touch with white varieties after tasting his range of Ligurian Pigato and Langhe’s Arneis and Chardonnay, but it turns out that he has the same skills for his reds -which are equally well crafted. A very precise and elegant touch combined with a judicious use of wood is noticeable in all his wines. The focus, in his reds, is on clean and vibrant aromas mixed with a poised control of the tannins. Marco’s wines are a great joy to drink in relative youth but equally good to cellar.

WINES WE IMPORT:

SPARKLING

• Alta Langa extra brut DOC

REDS

• Barolo Monvigliero DOC

WHITES

• Langhe Arneis DOC

  Langhe Chardonnay DOC

Antoniolo

ANTONIOLO

GATTINARA | PIEDMONT

Founded:		1940
Owner:		Antoniolo family
Winemaker:		Alberto Antoniolo
Hectares under vines:		14ha
Altitude above sea level:		200-400m
Average annual production:		60,000 bottles
Green code:		practicing organic/low intervention

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WHAT THEY SAY

The estate was established in 1940 by Mario Antoniolo, a very motivated entrepreneur. He strongly believed in the potential of the territory and ahead of his time built a small winery and complete supply chain. Later Mario was supported by his daughter Rosanna - one of the first female sommeliers in Italy and a master taster.

The estate is currently run by Mario’s grandson Alberto (wine maker) and his sister Lorella. Throughout the generations, the philosophy of the family business has remained unchanged: respect for the vineyard and its production -without interfering in any way with the wine obtained. So absolute protection and respect for the single terroir.

WHAT WE SAY

The Antoniolo name is synonymous with Gattinara. The low –intervention wines from Antoniolo made from Nebbiolo (known locally as ‘Spanna’) provide great value and quality. For lovers of Barolo and Barbaresco, these wines are a must to try as worthy alternatives.

WHAT OTHERS SAY

“Lorella Zoppis Antoniolo is an energetic producer of Gattinara. Her Riserva is released in a quantity of around 20,000 bottles. The grapes are fermented with their own natural yeasts in concrete, with a maceration of approximately 20 days and spontaneous malolactic fermentation. The wine ages in large 30hL oak casks for 36 months. There's a stunning complexity on the nose of savoury liquorice, smoky woodland, wild strawberry, violet and tar. The attack is relaxing and refined, with firm, dusty, velvety tannins and crisp acidity. It's austere and powerful enough to cellar but with the grace to drink now due to an amazing balance between the supple fruit and the structure. A very classic profile with graphite and earthy depth leading to a great finish.”

96 points, Aldo Fiordelli, Decanter Wine Magazine.

WINES WE IMPORT:

REDS

Coste della Sesia Nebbiolo Juvenia DOC Gattinara Riserva DOCG
Gattinara Riserva Le Castelle DOCG
Gattinara Riserva San Francesco DOCG
Gattinara Riserva Osso San Grato DOCG

WHITES

Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG

Orlando Abrigo

ORLANDO ABRIGO

TREISO | PIEDMONT

Founded:		1973
Owner:		Giovanni Abrigo
Winemaker:		Giovanni Abrigo
Hectares under vines:		21ha
Altitude above sea level:		300-400m
Average annual production:		100,000 bottles
Green code:		Lutte Raisonnée*

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WHAT THEY SAY

Giovanni’s grandparents were winemakers who sold their grapes at the market in Alba. His father Orlando returned to winemaking in 1973, proudly welcoming the DOCG recognition in 1981. Giovanni’s first harvest was in 1986 and he has not looked back. New vineyards have been acquired (Montersino in 1996) and an avante garde winery was built in 2013.

WHAT WE SAY

A great range of wines from Giovanni, we are delighted to have discovered and include in our portfolio. Excitingly, Giovanni holds back a certain number of bottles of the best vintages, which he offers again at a later date. These historic vintages are in their prime and, as the critic scores testify, make stunning drinking.

WHAT OTHERS SAY

Orlando Abrigo's Barbarescos are powerful and rich. This set of new releases really impressed me,as the wines showed quite a bit of distinction and personality, not to mention consistency across the entire range. 2014 Barbaresco Montersino

“The 2014 Barbaresco Montersino is stellar. Dark, pliant and mysterious, the Montersino shows the more virile side of Nebbiolo. Macerated dark cherry, menthol, licorice, smoke and spice fill out the wine's ample frame very nicely. All the elements come together in a potent, effortless wine of real pedigree.” 94 points Antonio Galloni, Vinous

WINES WE IMPORT:

REDS

Valmaggiore Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC
Meruzzano Barbaresco DOCG
Montersino Barbaresco DOCG
Rongalio Riserva Barbaresco DOCG
Barbaresco CN Centoundici DOCG

WHITES

Tres Plus Langhe Bianco

*Lutte raisonnée: literally ‘reasoned struggle’, is an approach to viticulture which tries to minimise the application of agrochemicals so that they are used only when absolutely necessary and not as a matter of routine.

Enzo Boglietti

ENZO BOGLIETTI

LA MORRA | PIEDMONT

Founded:		1991
Owner:		Enzo Boglietti
Winemaker:		Enzo Boglietti
Hectares under vines:		7ha
Altitude above sea level:		320-480m
Average annual production:		100,000 bottles
Green code:		Certified organic since 2017.

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WHAT THEY SAY

In 1991 for the first time we decided to make and bottle Barolo from the fruit coming from our almost 3ha of vineyards. These 3 hectares, including small parcels of Brunate and Boiolo in La Morra, were partly the inheritance from our grandfather Matteo Boglietti and partly from our Mum’s side. Her father owned both the Fossati farmhouse and a portion of the Fossati vineyard, also in La Morra.

Prior to 1991 all our grapes were sold to the local cantine sociali, while our focus was on farming. But following the advice of our wine making friends, we started our wine adventure.

The beginning wasn’t without challenges, we started reducing our crop in the vineyards to the great disappointment of my father, (he was certainly not used to throwing any fruit on the ground) and we needed a wine cellar - so we converted our stables.

Our first vintage -1991 was not an exceptional vintage, but the grapes we picked were pristine and gave elegant wines. Over the years, we have developed a finer, more elegant and more vibrant way of making Barolos. We have gradually diminished the amount of new oak and reduced the extraction during fermentation. All our Barolos undergo spontaneous fermentation and we do not filter

WHAT WE SAY

Enzo Boglietti together with his daughter Linda and his son Matteo are dedicated to producing high quality wines. This is a super range, quite honestly there was nothing tasted which we did not like!

WHAT OTHERS SAY

2016 Barolo Boiolo 92 points

“The 2016 Barolo Boiolo is a very pretty, fruity wine with lovely immediacy and appeal. Crushed flowers, mint, sweet red berry, orange peel and spice are nicely pushed forward. Succulent and open-knit, the 2016 will drink well with minimal cellaring. This is one of the most approachable 2016s I tasted for this report.” Antonio Galloni, Vinous

WINES WE IMPORT:

REDS

Langhe Nebbiolo
Barolo La Morra
Barolo Boiolo
Barolo Fossati
Barolo Case Nere
Barolo Brunate
Barolo Arione

WHITES

Langhe Chardonnay

Luigi Pira

Luigi Pira

SERRALUNGA D’ALBA | CUNEO
PIEDMONT

Founded:		1950
Owner:		The Pira family
Winemaker:		Giampaolo Pira
Hectares under vines:		12ha
Altitude above sea level:		300m
Average annual production:		65,000 bottles
Green code:		In conversion to organic. Green experience certified.

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WHAT THEY SAY

Vigna Rionda, Vigna Marenca and Vigna Margheria are reputed to be the best in the township of Serralunga and this estate produces single vineyard Baroli from plots owned in all three of these crus (which can be seen from the azienda’s terrace). In the 1950s the grapes were sold. In the following years small quantities of Barolo were bottled. In 1993 the Baroli Margheria and Marenca were produced followed by Barolo Vigna Rionda in 1997. The wines from these three crus are typical of the great terroir of Serralunga: displaying great minerality. Barolo Margheria, made from 50-year-old vines, is the most classical. Barolo Marenca and Barolo Vigna Rionda are structured, complex, with a lot of muscle and age longer.

 WHAT WE SAY

We were incredibly impressed by the sheer power and elegance of the wines from Cantina Luigi Pira. They are serious proponents of Barolo’s incredible terroir.

 WHAT OTHERS SAY

“One of Piedmont’s superstars… these are wines of extraordinary complexity and breathtaking richness. The spectacular offerings from Pira ’s vineyards in and around Serralunga d’Alba are among the more riveting examples.” – Robert Parker

 WINES WE IMPORT:

Langhe Nebbiolo Barolo Serralunga Barolo Margheria Barolo Marenca Barolo Vignarionda

Castello di Neive

Castello di Neive

NEIVE | CUNEO
PIEDMONT

Founded:		1964
Owner:		The Stupino family
Winemaker:		Claudio Roggero
Hectares under vines:		26ha
Altitude above sea level:		350m to 550m
Average annual production:		150,000 bottles
Green code:		Practicing not certified organic

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WHAT THEY SAY

Italo Stupino has developed a scientific approach to the vineyard and to the countryside. Preserving tradition is one thing, but one can never take anything for granted and always must strive for better results. Questioning, researching, trying and learning: since the 1970’s the collaboration with the University of Turin has allowed Italo to enter the world of wine with a frame of mind which, still nowadays, enables him to face the challenges of a continuously evolving market. Tradition, research and creativity: this is the philosophy of a company which, without overlooking the heritage of centuries of winemaking, embraces new technologies, is active in the field of research – both in the vineyard and in the cellars – and is ready to take risks and to experiment.

 WHAT WE SAY

The Castello di Neive is owned by the Stupino family who purchased the 17th century castle in 1964. Giacomo Stupino replanted the Santo Stefano vineyards which had fallen fallow, seeing the value over vineyards. It was a wise choice - Bruno Giacosa describes this vineyard as the best in Barbaresco. The Santo Stefano vineyard may steal the limelight but the other wines of the estate are also beautifully crafted and deserve considered attention.

WHAT OTHERS SAY

The jewel in the crown is constituted by the Barbarescos from the Santo Stefano cru, also available as Riservas in the best vintages. The range features many fine wines, but the estate’s flagship remains the Albesani Santo Stefano Riserva, which is magnificent even in a complicated vintage like 2011. Offering notes of blueberries, tobacco, and tar, it shows excellent progression, huge character, and velvety tannins on the complex, powerful palate.- Gambero Rosso

WINES WE IMPORT:

WHITES: Arneis Langhe Montebertotto DOC Riesling Renano Langhe Bianco DOC

REDS: Grignolino DOC
Dolcetto D`Alba Basarin DOC
Barbera D`Alba Senza Solfiti DOC Barbera D`Alba Santo Stefano DOC
Pinot Nero Langhe Rosso I Cortini DOC Albarossa DOC
Barbaresco DOCG
Barbaresco Santo Stefano DOCG Barbaresco Santo Stefano Riserva DOGC

Oltretorrente

Oltretorrente

TORTONA | ALESSANDRIA
PIEDMONT

Founded:		2010
Owner:		Chiara Penati & Michele Conoscente
Winemaker:		Chiara Penati & Michele Conoscente
Hectares under vines:		7ha
Altitude above sea level:		300m
Average annual production:		40,000 bottles
Green code:		Certified organic

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WHAT THEY SAY

Oltretorrente is a small, independent, artisanal, family-run, boutique winery set on top of the smooth hills of the Tortona region, in Piedmont. After several years spent in working for other more conventional wine realities (both Chiara and Michele are trained agronomists) we decided to start our own wine adventure. At Oltretorrente we have been protecting and maintaining very old vines planted up to a century ago (five ha of vineyards are 20 to 100 years old), in order to make wines that can embody all the history and biodiversity they come with. Our big aim is a balance between saving and preserving the legacy which old farmers left us and making high quality wines from these old vineyards with an organic approach, which is the best way to express the history, the soil, the identity of this area.

WHAT WE SAY

There is an extraordinary passion and duty of care shown by Chiara and Michele. They took on an extraordinary challenge by saving old vines from being ripped up. Old vines require more work and yields are much smaller - but the effort shines through in their wines.

WHAT OTHERS SAY

‘Wines full of character. Colli Tortonesi Rosso 2017 has a marked olfactory intensity, with evident hints of geranium, which develops in with measured tannins. The golden reflections that shine in the Colli Tortonesi Bianco 2017 are splendid, with intense notes of sage and wild herbs. Colli Tortonesi Timorasso 2016 presents floral and Mediterranean hints, and has a beautiful mineral profile, which flows into the characteristic sapid vein that unites all the Oltretorrente wines’. Vino Slow

WINES WE IMPORT:

WHITES: Cortese Colli Tortonesi DOC (Cortese ) Timorasso Colli Tortonesi DOC (Timorasso)

REDS: Rosso Colli Tortonesi DOC (90% Barbera, 10% Dolcetto)Barbera Superiore Colli Tortonesi DOC (Barbera)

Villa Sparina

Villa Sparina

GAVI | ALESSANDRIA
PIEDMONT

Founded:		1970
Owner:		Moccagatta family
Winemaker:		Beppe Caviola
Hectares under vines:		70ha
Altitude above sea level:		300m to 400m
Average annual production:		550,000 bottles
Green code:		Conventional

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WHAT THEY SAY

Villa Sparina farm comprises 100 hectares of land, 70 of which are vineyards surrounded by woods, touched by a Ligurian breeze and kissed by the sun. Most of the vineyard found on the hillsides of Monterotondo is Cortese. The soul and prestige of Villa Sparina can be found, above all, in the character of "Monterotondo". Since 1997 Villa Sparina vinifies this wine separately, with meticulous skill, the grapes that come from a well-situated 1945 historic vineyard of particularly rich and complex fruit. Another notable wine is the "Rivalta", obtained from 9 ha cultivated with Barbera grapes in Rivalta Bormida, among the hills of Acqui Terme, in Alto Monferrato. An intense, mellow, dark red Barbera given by perfectly ripe grapes.

Villa Sparina were named European Winery of the Year for 2021 by Wine Enthusiast magazine.

WHAT WE SAY

Villa Sparina is a family estate in the Gavi district of Piedmont, an area that has specialised in growing Barbera, Dolcetto, and most notably the white grape Cortese for more than 1,000 years. Here the Moccagatta family, who own Sparina, produce exquisite wines.The wines are easily recognisable by their distinctive bottle shape (inspired by an ancient bottle found during the excavation while restoring the estate). Villa Sparina’s vineyards are dotted around the Monterotondo hills and grow in predominantly clay-marl and clay-limestone soils.  The mainly south facing vineyards are between 300 and 400 meters above sea level and benefit from the Ligurian sea’s cooling breezes, approximately 40km away

 WINES WE IMPORT:

WHITES: Gavi Di Gavi DOCG Gavi Di Gavi Monterotondo DOCG

ROSÉ: Chiaretto Del Monferrato Montej

REDS: Barbera del Monferrato DOC Montej Rosso Barbera del Monferrato DOC Barbera del Monferrato Superiore ‘Rivalta’ DOC