Produttori del Barbaresco 'Barbaresco DOCG' Piedmont, Italy 2017

VINTAGE : 2017

COUNTRY : Italy

REGION/APPELLATION : Barbaresco

VARIETALS : 100% Nebbiolo

Before 1894, Nebbiolo grapes were sold to make Barolo wine or simply labeled «Nebbiolo di Barbaresco». But in 1894, Domizio Cavazza, headmaster of the Royal Enological School of Alba and a Barbaresco resident, created the first cooperative, the «Cantine Sociali», by gathering together nine Barbaresco vineyard owners to make wine in the local castle that he owned. He understood well the differences between the same grape, the Nebbiolo, grown in the different areas of Barolo and Barbaresco and, for the first time, recognized it on the wine label.

The «Cantine Sociali» was closed in the 1930’s due to local economic rules. In 1958, the priest of the village of Barbaresco, recognizing that the only way the small properties could survive was by joining their efforts, gathered together nineteen small growers and founded the Produttori del Barbaresco. United once again, the small growers continued the work producing only Barbaresco wine and enhancing both the reputation of the wine and the village. 

The Produttori del Barbaresco now has 51 members and controls more than 100 hectares (250 acres) of premium Nebbiolo vineyards in Barbaresco. Each family is in full control of its land, growing Nebbiolo grapes with centuries old skill and dedication. Even today, many of Barbaresco’s best growers are members, occupying the greatest sites and pooling their fruit. In lesser years, only one wine is made, but in great vintages, up to ten magical Barbaresco’s can be made: the often-astonishing flagship Barbaresco we present today (plus nine single-cru Riservas.) The proud past of Barbaresco and the dedication of its creators have made the Produttori one of the greatest producers in a great wine-producing area.