Pasquale Pelissero is a small, family-run winery that originated in a garage under the guidance of "Papa" Pasquale, a trailblazing figure in Neive known for being among the first to independently bottle and market his wines. Despite being a traditionalist, Pasquale remained receptive to new winemaking and cellar management methods. The vineyards are highly esteemed, often attracting visits from fellow producers in the region. Nestled near the summit of Bricco San Giuliano hill, the cellar is entirely enveloped by Pelissero vineyards. Following Pasquale's passing in 2007, his daughter Ornella has admirably upheld the family's legacy, managing all aspects of the vineyards and cellar, with her only innovation being the acquisition of a temperature-controlled fermentation tank. Their Bricco San Giuliano Barbaresco originates from an 8-hectare plot situated approximately 400 meters above sea level and undergoes exclusive aging in large casks, while the Dolcetto, characterized by its plum notes and intriguing hints of flint and smoke, matures in stainless steel. Situated in the historically significant and picturesque Neive, the winery's annual output totals around 15,000 bottles. The estate is a proud member of "Biotipicità," a recently established consortium of Langhe producers committed to sustainable farming practices in accordance with the Italian "lotta integrata" regulation. Crafted from 100% Nebbiolo grapes, the Pasquale Pelissero Langhe Nebbiolo 2022 eloquently expresses the unique terroir of its origin. Cultivated in vineyards with a south-west exposure at an elevation of 400 meters, the grapes thrive in marly-calcareous soil and are nurtured using the Guyot training system, reflecting the vineyards' 10-year maturity. This wine entices with a captivating pale garnet red hue and emanates an enchanting bouquet of rose, violet, small fruits, black pepper and cardamom. On the palate, it delivers a decisive, fresh and bold experience, making it a delightful choice for shared moments.

There are very few stories in the world of wine that are more important to tell than that of Bruno Giacosa. A man’s legacy etched into lore, and with such gravitas that it is still felt today in his native Piemonte by almost all the producers in the region. Born in 1929 in Neive where the winery remains, Bruno Giacosa spent his formative teenage years working with his father Carlo as a ‘commerciante’ or grape broker. This very important but often overlooked part of Giacosa’s history is perhaps the key to understanding his unrivalled ability to select fruit, even that which he hadn’t grown himself. The family’s income at that time revolved solely around the ability to sell fruit to winemakers, and taking any fruit to Vinify themselves would have been a conflict of interest. In fact, his father so vehemently opposed the young Bruno’s intention to bottle his own wine in the early 1960’s, that he had to do so without the blessing of the family. The first vintage wearing the label Bruno Giacosa was 1961, a single Barbaresco bottling from a mixture of vineyards as was custom at the time. It was the prominent wine author and critic Luigi Veronelli who at the time was crusading for Piedmont’s adoption of the French ‘cru’ classification of vineyard that convinced Giacosa to bottle and (importantly) label single vineyard wines soon after his first vintage. The first labelled cru bottling was the 1964 Barbaresco Vigna Santo Stefano, but it is possible that even the first wine used fruit exclusively from there. While the obsession with site continued and strengthened throughout Bruno Giacosa’s career, so did the predilection to purchase fruit from growers rather than buy vineyards himself. Though Giacosa was not the only winemaker somewhat late to the party in buying land in the Langhe, it is regarded as his greatest missed opportunity. Some of Italy’s greatest wines ever were Giacosa’s red label bottlings from Santo Stefano di Neive, Villero and Collina Rionda, none of which are produced today by the estate. In vinous literacy, it is impossible to read about the Langhe without reading about Giacosa and his contemporary Angelo Gaja. While Gaja was a willing frontman for the region, Giacosa continued to toil in the background. Both leading from the front and each producing the region’s best wines. Winemaking involves a great many small decisions, each affecting the next. One can only hope to get them right, to capture what there was in the grapes to begin with. - Bruno Giacosa Very few wines in the world come close to matching the complexity and presence of red label ‘Vigna Le Rocche’. In the vintages this plot is kept as a Riserva, the acidity, tannin and above all the balance must be in complete harmony due to the rigorous demands of both extended barrel ageing and the potential for a half-century in bottle. In their youth, Le Rocche Riserva is an immense wine. It is not forthcoming with its fruit when young, but nor is it disjointed in alcohol or tannin at any point. A rare kind of wine that seems carved from billet rather than made up of different parts. A cohesive wine of the tallest order, with some vintages vying for greatest wine of Italy. Intense red garnet colour with orange hints. The bouquet is complex and elegant, with notes of small ripe red fruit, blackcurrants, pomegranate and raspberries. On the palate it is full bodied, with an excellent tannic structure, the tannins are silky that give an excellent persistence to the wine.

Unico Zelo is the project of winemaking couple Brendan and Laura Carter. In their words, their aim is to create “Italian-inspired, textural and site-expressive wines” and “Australian examples of Mediterranean varieties in an approachable and jovial fashion.” There is a bit of a shift this year for Pastafarian, with the inclusion of Sangiovese! The ultimate pasta variety, it must be said. Ask Brendan, Unico Zelo has long been critical of Sangiovese’s future in Australia, but after some recent encounters with other producers' expressions of the variety, they’ve jumped on the bandwagon. Lucky for the winery, it wasn’t far from home, as the fruit is from the lovely Polish Hill River Vineyard. Still, this wine is Nebbiolo through and through, and it’s the perfect marriage with Slovenian Oak for a perfumed, blue fruited and savoury structured Langhe-style Nebb. A touch of Merlot and Nero to add somebody (and a nice little spice too!). Top shelf here, finding an identity all of its own. Great wine.

Back in 2009, Justin Bubb had spent almost a decade in Italy leading the transformation of the winemaking at famed winery, Castello Di Gabbiano. He had been sent there to help improve the winemaking and also be a conduit for the Australian owners at the time. Originally only planning to stay for a short period, Justin was instrumental in growing the winery. He also was able to spend time working vintage in some of the most famed wine regions of Italy including Piedmonte, Veneto and Sicilia. His time in Europe had also helped him see there was an opportunity to bring great quality Italian wines back to Australia. Having decided to return to Australia with Anna Pooley his new wife, he sketched out very briefly wanted to do. He wanted to produce great value Italian wines, to shake any stuffy stereotypes of Italian wines, by offering contemporary styles that suited the wine savvy palates of Australians. He also wanted to continue working with the amazing growers and connections he had with his adopted country of Italy. Taking an Italian nickname for a tool that measures ‘baume’ in fruit, Babo was born. The vineyards it Piedmonte where this fruit is sourced are layered clay and limestone soils near the famed town of Castiglione Falletto. The fruit was selected from vineyards 300-400 m above sea level - mostly Southwest facing, with fantastic quality fruit. 100% Nebbiolo, handpicked fruit was destemmed with 6-8 day maceration at a controlled temperature, pumped over twice a day. Short aging in large concrete tanks completes this wine making journey. Bright purple and garnet highlights. On the nose delightful floral bouquet. Medium body, classic bright red berries, a little tar, roses and spice. Lovely weighted tannin gives a the perfect persistent finish. Delicious.

Vietti is a winery with a rich history spanning almost 150 years. Founded by Carlo Vietti in the late 1800s in the heart of the Langhe, on the highest point of the medieval village of Castiglione Falletto, the winery was transformed into a high-quality wine producer by Carlo's son, Mario Vietti, upon his return from living in the United States in 1917. In the 1950s, Alfredo Currado, oenologist and art lover, brought new intuitions to the winery, intertwining wine knowledge with art and culture. Vietti produced one of the first Barolo Crus in 1961 and the first vinification of Arneis in 1967. The wines were accompanied by Art Labels starting in 1974, making the Vietti brand an icon and standard-bearer of important revolutions. The winery's commitment, vision, culture and passion have contributed to its growth and recognition as one of the best Italian wine labels. The Krause Family purchased Vietti in 2016 and decided to extend the winemaking properties with new, renowned crus in the denomination of Barolo and Barbaresco. In 2023, the Heritage was taken over by the Krause Family, already owner of the Cellar since 2016 and standard-bearer of the new future of the Vietti brand. Vietti maintains its founding values and looks towards the future with even more promising and stimulating prospects, with each wine being the result of artisanal work and the profound understanding and interpretation of each individual terroir. Since 1974, Vietti wines have been adorned with specially-designed original works inspired by the wine of that particular vintage. These works include lithographs, xylographies, etchings, silkscreens and linocuts. The print run is the same as the number of bottles produced and the first hundred labels are signed by the artist. Each work is only used once, just for the wine of that vintage. Since the presentation of the 1982 Barolo Villero in 1988, the artist’s labels have been dedicated exclusively to the wines grown on this great vineyard. The idea for these unique labels was conceived by Alfredo Currado and a group of artist friends over a bottle of Barolo Rocche. They believed that wines like these deserved to be graced with labels unlike any other and the idea began to take shape the following day. These art labels have become an iconic part of the Vietti brand, adding a touch of art and culture to their already exceptional wines. Barolo is a renowned red wine produced in the Piedmont region of Italy. The wine is made from Nebbiolo, a small, thin-skinned red grape varietal known for its high acidity and tannins. Harvesting of Nebbiolo grapes generally takes place in late October, as it is one of the first varietals to undergo budbreak and last to be picked. Barolo wines are required to be solely composed of Nebbiolo, with no exceptions. The Barolo DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) is the highest classification for Italian wines and guarantees specific production methods and quality. Wines from the Barolo DOCG must be 100% Nebbiolo and aged for at least 38 months, with 18 of those months in wood barrels. This results in a wine with a unique flavor profile and exceptional quality. Vietti's Barolo Lazzarito is a premium wine made from grapes grown in the MGA “Lazzarito” vineyard in the municipality of Serralunga d’Alba. This fabulous amphitheatre-shaped plot has a south-western exposure and is situated at an altitude between 260 and 390 m asl. The soil is rich in limestone and clay, making it ideal for growing high-quality grapes. The average age of the Guyot-cultivated vines is 42 years, and there is a density of around 4500 plants per hectare. The Vietti Barolo Lazzarito Serraluna d’Alba 2019 is a stunning example of a Barolo D.O.C.G. wine made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes. The grapes were harvested by hand on 09 October 2019 and underwent gentle pressing before fermenting for around four weeks in a steel tank, in contact with the skins. The wine was aged for around 30 months in oak barrels and for a small portion, barriques. This wine has an intense ruby-red color with garnet hues and an alluring and profound nose. Notes of hay, cut grass, tobacco, white pepper and wild mint emerge. On the palate, it is robust and potent, with a taut, mineral finish. As is typical of Serralunga, the tannins are stark, sharp and very profound. The sweet persistence of the finish is delightful. This wine pairs perfectly with game, red meats and cheeses. The Vietti Barolo Lazzarito Serraluna d’Alba 2019 is an exceptional wine that showcases the best of the Nebbiolo grape variety and the unique terroir of the Lazzarito vineyard.

First produced in 1911. The fruit for Massolino's classic Nebbiolo cuvée is selected from seven sites, representing roughly seven hectares of prime-sited Serralunga vineyards. The oldest vines that feed this bottling are 55 years old (the youngest are 10), and it spends 24 months in large Slovenian oak (only).

David's journey into winemaking began with a deep addiction to Nebbiolo, the noble grape of the region. Originally from Australia, he found himself drawn to the hills of Barbaresco, where he now resides. With an uncontrollable passion for winemaking, David started his journey in 2006, and it has taken him on an extraordinary path of discovery and growth. From the humble beginnings of producing Barolo and Barbaresco, David's portfolio has expanded to include seven wines crafted from twelve different vineyard sites. Even an expression of Australian Nebbiolo finds its place among his creations. The production remains small, limited to approximately 12,000 bottles, mostly allocated to those fortunate enough to experience the wines. What sets Fletcher Wines apart is the freedom to play and deconstruct tradition. David's lack of legacy allows him to push boundaries and explore new possibilities. Constantly on the search for great vineyards, he combines learned techniques from his global experiences in winemaking, injecting his own unique twists and turns into the process. In the vineyards, David prioritizes sustainability and biodiversity, with 50% of the vineyards certified organic and the other half under conversion. As a believer in biodynamic practices, he works for one of the biggest biodynamic producers in Barolo and Barbaresco. David strives for better vineyard health, lower environmental impact, and aims to counterbalance the monoculture prevalent in the Langhe region. To offset the land used for grape production, he takes ownership of equivalent areas in forests, swamps and grasslands rich in biodiversity. The winemaking process at Fletcher Wines is a delicate dance of tradition and innovation. The grapes are 100% destemmed and undergo an open fermentation, without any post-ferment soak. To add complexity and depth, the wine is aged in old oak barrels, over 10 years old, with a capacity of 300 litters. This aging process takes place for 24 months, far exceeding the legal minimum of 12 months, ensuring that the wine reaches its full potential. After this barrel aging, the wine spends an additional 3 months in the bottle before being released. In 2019, Fletcher Wines sourced their grapes from three distinct Cru vineyards, each contributing its own character to the final blend. The wine is composed of 50% grapes from the Roncaglie Cru, 30% from Starderi and 20% from Ronchi. The three Cru vineyards contribute distinctive characteristics to the final wine. Roncaglie, picked significantly later than Starderi, offers dark fruits and a more masculine tannin structure. Its south-west facing position and ferrous soils create a longer hang time for the grapes. Starderi, with its south-facing orientation and calcareous soils, adds elegance, spice, and a red berry profile to the blend. Ronchi, a new addition in 2019, brings a touch of freshness to the wine with its cooler east-facing vineyard location. Roncaglie is a well-known vineyard situated in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. It is situated in the Barbaresco region and is recognized for producing high-quality Nebbiolo wines. The grapes grown in Roncaglie have a rich flavor profile that includes aromas of roses, violets, and red fruits. Several wineries, such as Fletcher Wines source their grapes from Roncaglie. The wines produced from Roncaglie grapes are full-bodied with high tannins and acidity, which make them perfect for aging. Apart from producing high-quality wine, Roncaglie has a mesmerizing landscape. Barbaresco from Roncaglie is a highly sought-after wine produced in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. The Roncaglie vineyard, located in the Barbaresco region, is well-known for producing some of the best Nebbiolo grapes in the world. The Barbaresco wine from Roncaglie is made using these premium grapes, which have a complex flavour profile and aromas of roses, violets and red fruits. The Roncaglie vineyard is located on a hillside and the unique soil and microclimate of the area contribute to the distinct character of the Barbaresco wine. The wine produced from Roncaglie grapes is full-bodied with high tannins and acidity, allowing it to age gracefully over many years. It is often compared to other high-quality wines produced in the Piedmont region, such as Barolo. The wine is typically aged for several years in oak barrels, which helps to enhance its flavour profile and complexity. Barbaresco from Roncaglie is a wine that showcases the unique terroir of the Piedmont region. It is a wine that is rich in flavor and history. Fletcher Barbaresco Roncaglie 2020 is a wine made from Nebbiolo grapes sourced from the Roncaglie vineyard, located in the Barbaresco region of Piedmont, Italy. The wine is produced by Fletcher Wines, a well-known winery that sources its grapes from the Roncaglie vineyard. Fletcher Barbaresco Roncaglie 2020 is a full-bodied wine with high tannins and acidity. The wine has a complex flavour profile, with aromas of roses, violets and red fruits, which are characteristic of the Roncaglie vineyard. Barbaresco Roncaglie 2020 can age gracefully over many years.