Roagna "Pira" Barolo, Piedmont, Italy 2018

FROM LOUIS/DRESSNER

THE PRODUCER: The Roagnas have been winemakers in the village of Barbaresco since the mid 1800’s. It was Giovanni and his wife Maria who moved their house and winery to its present location in the Paglieri hamlet, home to the famous Pajè vineyard. This plot is the foundation of the estate, which in all covers 6 ½ hectares, 1.83 of which are were purchased by the Roagna family in 1953.

Alfredo and Luca, father and son, now take care of the property. In 1990, they were able to purchase two slices of renowned vineyard sites of Castiglione Falletto in Barolo, la Pira and le Rocche. These came with a 15th century farm house directly above the vineyard which they renovated to become Casa Roagna, a bed and breakfast overlooking the vines. And over the years, Luca has been able to purchase all of the neighboring land on the Pira hill, effectively giving the family a monopole of the site. These acquisitons culminated in a new cellar to vinify and age the Barolo built above the vineyard and finished in 2012.