The nebbiolo grape has declined in this D.O.C. Langhe to exalt the peculiarities of the hills and bring some tradition on to tables. A young wine, but at the same time important, where the tannins with delicate softness and spicy aromas inebriate the nose, also recalling vanilla and caramelized notes. A wine that make every day a bit more special. Cascina Ghercina Langhe Nebbiolo 2016 vintage is a light ruby red colour. Deceiving to a wine rich in potential. The nose has aromas of spice, hints of hay, and tobacco. Tannins leave a pleasant feeling. Pair this wine with roasts, meats, and soft cheeses.

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.

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.

The focus here for this wine by Fletcher is on what Nebbiolo as a variety can do in Australian terroir. The philosophy behind these wines is to de-construct tradition and start afresh. Driven with obsession and going against the grain, Ann from Fletcher had the foresight to plant small acreage to mixed clones of Nebbiolo in 1998, which officially makes this some of the oldest Nebbiolo in Australia. Meticulously manicured, this vineyard, after the green harvest, is lucky if it produces 2 tonnes to the acre, and the fruit it produces is floral, rich and backed by Nebbiolo's superior tannins.

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.

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).