Nebbiolo sourced from a co-op of 45 small-scale growers in the cold, mountainous DOC Carema and aged for 4 years in large Slovenian oak casks after vinification. This cooperative producer is dedicated to showcasing the unique terroir of Carema, where Nebbiolo achieves remarkable finesse and minerality due to the high-altitude, rocky soils. The Riserva is crafted only in exceptional vintages, offering greater depth and aging potential. The vines are planted on steep stone terraces that reflect the sun and maintain the heat of the day during the night. The vines are trained on pergola-like cross beams locally named "topie," onto which the vines are tied down firmly to keep them from being broken by the strong winds. These topie also allow for maximum exposure to the sun, helping to draw out the harvest for as long as possible, thereby taming the grapes’ high acids that would otherwise overwhelm the palate. The wines are 100% Nebbiolo from the local clones nebbiolo spanna, picutener, meaning “tender stem,” and pugnet, meaning “fist-like,” a reference to the compact shape of the bunches. The minimum aging requirement for these wines is 4 years, of which two years have to pass in large oak or chestnut botti.
