Farming : Organic

Winemaking : Hand-Picked Grapes | Native Yeast Fermentation | Unfined | Vegan

Region : Piedmont, Italy

Grape : Neretta | Barbera | Dolcetto

Alcohol by Volume : 12.5%

Notes:

Fausto and Cinzia Cellario are 3rd generation winemakers in the village of Carru` on the western outskirts of the Langhe. The family believes in only working with local, indigenous Piemontese grape varieties and fiercely defends local winemaking traditions both in the vineyard work and the cellar practices. The Cellario vineyard holdings cover some 30 ha between 5 different vineyard sites covering the southern Langhe. With holdings in Novello and Monforte, the Dogliani plot is arguably the family’s most prestigious land and I would consider them Dolcetto specialists. Vineyard work is organic (soon to be certified) and all the fermentation take place with indigenous yeasts. Sulfur is only added in tiny quantities at bottling if necessary (a practice not common with a winery in this mid-size range).

Red berries on the palate. The Barrusco (translates to something like 'rough and tumble') is a blend of Neretta (that rare native Piedmont variety prized for it's dark color and spicy tannins), barbera and dolcetto. Primary fermentation in stainless steel before refermentation in bottle. No sulfur added and no disgorgement.