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Punset
Dolcetto d’Alba
Italy, Piedmont, Dolcetto d'Alba DOC
Red
Winery Overview
The Punset farm is in Neive, in the heart of the Langhe in Piedmont, on top of a hill that overlooks the historic capital. Punset derives its name from the Piedmontese dialect and has legendary origins: historically, the Counts of Castelborgo would use this name, which means “beautiful hill,” to describe their lands that emerged from the mists of autumn fog and could be admired from their castles.
The company is led today by Marina Marcarino who was destined for the vineyards since childhood. Exuberant, curious, and hyperactive, unable to find any kindergarten teachers brave enough to endure, Marina spent time with her grandmother who chose an unusual way to keep her granddaughter engaged. She led Marina to the country by opening the doors of a culture linked to the timing and methods of working the earth.
The deep bond with the land was strengthened further in 1982; during university, Marina was struck by organic farming, where she saw a new and authentic way to work with a deep knowledge that stems from the principles of absolute naturalness and a bond of mutual respect. Despite this, the initial impact of the practices in the vineyard proved to be very tough and the first crop was completely lost. Despite the setback, Marina pushed forward with a strong determination to persevere in her choices.
At the end of the ‘80s, the technical expertise in the field of wine was enhanced thanks to a period of overseas commercial training for Marina. This training was important for her growth as manager of Punset. Marina began formally converting the property to organic farming, rejecting the use of all kinds of pesticide and chemical products, and embracing the philosophy of Masanobu Fukuoka, also called “agriculture of not doing,” the ideal that the farm is perfectly integrated into nature as is. Even in the cellar, the philosophy of “letting the vineyard speak” omits the use of selected yeasts and enzymes to allow the fruit to express the terroir of the vineyards.
Marina is an advocate for organic and biodynamic farming through her active participation in several organizations within Barbaresco DOCG. In 2004, Marina connected Punset with other Italian wineries of the same thought, founding the Vintesa Italian Wines Consortium which was created as "the understanding between organic winemakers.”
Her family estate has been passed down through 4 generations, but making wine was a family hobby before Marina took over. The estate has remained ancillary to the region of Nieve, thanks to its commitment to assume an identity of its own and a new dignity.
Additional Resources:
The Greene Grape Wine Shop Interview with Marina, March 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ7KvZ0lkLE
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.
Terroir
The soil is a white clay laying on marnal rocks of alluvial origins, with high content of silica.
Our hills are steep, various and laying in est-west exposure. In particular, our vineyard have a southeast exposure, which allows vines to heat slowly, with the rising sun.
The altitude on the sea level is average 400 meters and the Tanaro river is just a few miles from us, giving fresh influence to the region.
Viticulture
The winery grows organically all the vineyards since year 1982. It is certified under UE law and previously under the Italian law since our country got a national regulation. On top of that Punset uses biodynamic methods and since the last 8 years added the Fukuoka theory, called agriculture of not doing.
This theory is based on natural reciprocity and cooperation between different varieties and on the minimal interferences of human hands on the soil.
Of course we don't use herbicides and pesticizes and the all natural chain has been rebuilt with a project of insects and birds repopulation. This took more than 10 years and now the bio system is almost perfect.
All works are done by hand, with exception of spraying in the summer season, to maintain the soil much softer and alive. Of course all vines are pruned by hand and same is for grapes picking.
Vinification
Traditional vinification with indigenous yeasts only. Fermentation in cement thanks with floating cap and fulling made by hand during the day. Soft pressing and particular attention on cleanness. Sulfites are added in low quantity before bottling the wine.
Aging
This wine ages in cement until summertime, after it is bottled with at least 3 months of bottling aging before being released.
