Barbera D’Alba

Winemaker

Marina Marcarino

Appellation

Barbera d’Alba

Varieties

Barbera

Viticulture

Our hills are steep, and lie in east-west exposure. In particular, our vineyards have a southeast exposure, which allows vines to heat slowly, with the rising sun. Grapes are hand-harvested as mechanization is impossible on the vineyard slopes. The altitude of the vineyards averages 400 meters and the Tanaro river is just a few miles from us, providing a fresh influence to the region.

Terroir

The soil is a white clay laying on marnal rocks of alluvial origins, with high content of silica.

Ratings & Reviews

Vineyard

17 ha vineyard. Punset derives from piedmontese dialect and has legendary origin: it seems that historically the Count of Neive gave this nickname, which literally means "beautiful hill," to describe his lands emerging from the autumn fog, which he admired from his castle. The vineyards have been owned by the Marcarino family since distant times.

A conscious, demanding choice and immediately regulated with the organic certification. Over the years Marina Marcarino, who is responsible for all production, is finalizing agronomic methods that make minimal use of treatments based on copper and sulfur, preferring biodynamic preparations, and sharing the philosophy of agronomic Masanobu Fukuoka: the "agriculture of not doing." Vineyards are kept totally green and limited use of mechanization in the soil characterizes this farm, perfectly integrating into nature. Through recovering the environment, the ecosystem has been completely rebalanced. Today natural flowering, insects and small wild animals contribute to the fertility of the vineyards.

Vinification

Selected organically grown grapes picked in owned vineyards are harvested by hand. They are gently crushed and left to begin fermentation spontaneously; the must ferments with skin contact at about 25°C. Fermentation and aging process take place in cement tanks. Bottling time is always during warmer times, allowing this wine to showcase its best character.

Aging

Aged in cement tanks.