Visit Our Cellar
Come and visit my little winery in Vezza d’Alba. Discover how we produce the wines of Langhe and Roero!
When you venture into the Roero hills, you have the chance to explore a land less consumed by tourism, still almost virgin.
The wineries here are still small, the farmhouses are still farmhouses and not fancy B&Bs, and the hills are still covered with woods and orchards, not just vineyards.
Mine is a small winery that produces 25,000 bottles a year, all vinified with grapes from the vineyards owned by my family, grapes that I personally care for, from the time they are sprouted on the vine to the harvest, and then from fermentation to bottling.
Strolling Through the Vineyards
The visit begins with a tour of the Colla vineyard (available on request in fine weather), located atop one of the highest ridges in the Roero. The route and points of interest are marked by the colored posts, and the path is marked by the colored “bunse” (the containers in which verdigris was once made).
Once at the top, you can see Alba on one side, and La Morra to follow, and then the rest of the Roerine hills, coming to admire, on clear days, the hill of Superga and its Abbey, in the Turin area.
Landscapes Profoundly Different from Those of the Langhe…
…wilder, with a very particular morphology, characterized by narrow valleys and gorges, over which steep and sometimes rugged hills rise.
These territorial peculiarities have repercussions on the cultivation of vines: the steepness of the hills, together with the necessity of having to keep the rows very close together, very often prevent us from reaching the vines with the tractor, so we are forced to do much of the work by hand.
A Clean Wine!
During your visit you will notice a vibrant, lush nature: I do not use herbicides and try to keep chemical treatments to a minimum: we drink this wine every day too, and it must be healthy, clean (and not just in words).
Also in the spirit of environmental friendliness, the winery is powered by green, clean energy, thanks to solar panels that eliminate the need to use gas.
IN THE CELLAR
Visit to the winemaking and aging rooms
After finishing the vineyard tour, we return to the winery, where we first visit the fermentation rooms of white wines, then that of red wines, and finally the aging rooms…
…and here comes the fateful question, often accompanied by expressions of surprise, “but do you only make barrique?”
Well, I am guilty, I only do barrique.
I am not a convinced modernist either in terms of the simple taste of wine or the philosophy behind certain production techniques. In fact, I have been struggling with this binomial of “international barrique” and “traditional large barrel” for 20 years.
More simply, I believe in the potential of properly used barrique, particularly in the production of Roero, the flagship of my winery.
This DOCG made from Nebbiolo grapes is the Roero variant of the better known Barolo, and it has nothing to envy it: just like the “prince wine” of the Langhe, it develops over time becoming a true aging jewel.
And nothing suits this task better than barriques.
The barrel for me is a working tool, which must be “tamed.”
When I started bottling my own wine, for reasons of space and cost I started with two barrels.
Making a virtue out of necessity, I experimented a lot and for a long time: I learned to know and evaluate a barrel according to its age, but above all I learned about my vines and their fruit.
Today I feel that I have disproved the general belief that these small barrels influence the character of the wine too much, and have come to create balanced, elegant wines that do not let the toastiness of the barrel do the talking, but tell the story of the grapes from which they are made.
Not sure?
You’ll find out at the time of tasting: we’ll do an experiment together….
THE TASTING
To resolve the issue of barrique hiding the “taste of the vineyard,” we will give it a try together.
My two flagship products are Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC Paradi’ and Roero DOCG Colla.
I make these two wines with Nebbiolo grapes from two different vineyards but located on the same hillside.
The Colla vineyard is higher up, at 350 meters, facing southwest, characterized by sandier soil and very old vines (about 45 years old).
In contrast, the vineyard that produces Paradi’ faces southeast, on a plot characterized by more calcareous soil and younger vines (about 15 years old).
I vinify these grapes in exactly the same way.
The two wines make the same passages in barrique, for the same period, in barrels of the same age, yet you will be able to feel in each the soul of the vineyard and the land from which they come.
Both nebbiolo, but with different exposures and soils, for two very different wines, whose distinctive characteristics are not hidden or equalized by the barrique.
Here, then, is proof that, when used conscientiously, small barrels enhance aging without compromising the uniqueness of Roero nebbiolo.
TASTING &
USEFUL INFO
Nebbiolo-based Wines
Roero DOCG Riserva Colla
Spicy and elegant (elegance due to the sandy soil, typical of Roero), this is a wine for aging. Aged in new barriques for 24 months, the powerful meeting of tannins prolongs the whole sensations in a lingering finish.
Roero DOCG Colla
A dry, balanced wine with great aging potential due to the limestone soil on which the vineyard grows. This immediate wine represents the typicality of Roero. I age it in new barriques for 18 months.
Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC Paradi’
In addition to Colla, I also produce the better-known Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC: this is my everyday, easy-drinking wine that does only 12 months in second-passage barrique to oxygenate and fix the color-this is the wine of tradition.
Arneis & Barbera
Finally, during the tasting, you will be able to taste Barbera, the “popular” wine of the peasants, the very typical Arneis, which is very fresh when drunk young, but evolves into a mineral note (brought by the calcareous soil) after a year.
Passito
And if you like sweet wines, you can try the Arneis passito, which I only produce in 2000 small bottles.
The grapes are harvested late and then left to dry for a few months, to be ressed in December: with apricot and dried fruit aromas, it is a wine for desserts or very mature cheeses.
USEFUL INFO
Vineyard Tours
To be arranged upon request and available in spring, summer and fall.
Languages Spoken
Italian, English and French.
Parking
Large parking lot able to accommodate cars and coaches.
Pets
Pets are allowed.
Groups
Groups of up to 25 people are allowed.
Purchases
In the winery you will have the opportunity, if you wish, to purchase wines at very advantageous prices. Click here to see the prices reserved for visitors.
Payments
Cash and ATM, credit cards are accepted for online purchases only.
Cellar purchase prices
Roero Arneis San Michele – € 11.00
Roero Arneis Bastia – € 13.00
Roero Arneis Riserva Bastia – € 18.00
Barbera d’Alba Superiore Munbèl – € 16.00
Nebbiolo d’Alba Paradi’ – € 16.00
Roero Colla – € 22.00
Roero Riserva Colla 2018 – € 32.00
Roero Riserva Colla 2019 – € 28.00
Bric Bastia Vino Passito – € 22.00
Nebula Nature Metodo Classico – € 22.00
Prices & Proposals
Reduced Tasting
Includes 3 wines of your choice: for those who are short on time, or want to go “targeted.”Price 15€ – Book now
Complete Tasting
Includes 6 wines of your choice: for those who wish to experience a complete overview of the wines of our area.Price 25€ – Book now
Nebbiolo in Circles
An overview of the most typical grape variety of Langhe & Roero: Nebbiolo! You will taste 4 labels: the Roero DOCG Colla, the Roero DOCG Colla Riserva, the Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC Paradì and the Spumante Metodo Classico.Price 30€ – Book now
Arneis DOCG Vertical
If you want to learn more about the traditional white wine of the Langhe, to discover its history and nuances: we will taste together the current vintage and 2 previous vintages.Price 35€ – Book now
Roero DOCG Vertical
If you want to delve into Roero’s most important red, a close relative of Barolo & Barbaresco, to discover its history and nuances: we will taste together the current vintage and 3 previous vintages.Price 40€ – Book now
If You Love Nature…
An aperitif or picnic to enjoy in my Colla and Bastia vineyards, near the colorful ‘bunse’.
Aperitif in the vineyard (min. 2 persons)
Food
Breadsticks, salami, tuma cheese, hazelnuts.
Wine
Roero Arneis Bastia / Nebula Nature Metodo Classico
Plus
Bag, placemat, Riedel ‘Battaglino’ glasses, corkscrew, cutlery, which you can keep as a souvenir 🙂 🙂
Benefits
10% discount on purchases in our wine cellar
Price
- 25€ with Roero Arneis
- 30€ with Nebula Nature
Book now
Picnic in the Vineyard (min. 2 people)
Food
Bread, salami, Piedmontese antipasto, tuma, honey, cookies, hazelnuts
Wine
Roero Arneis Bastia wine / Barbera d’Alba Superiore Munbèl / Red wine
Plus
Bag, placemat, Riedel ‘Battaglino’ glasses, corkscrew, cutlery, which you can keep as a souvenir 🙂
Benefits
10% discount on purchases in our wine cellar
Price 40€ / person – Book now
Option Bike Tour
If you like the idea of going for a bike ride, the Roero hills are perfect.
You will be able to ride the Trifolao, Tasso or Turiun trails together with a guide who will show you the wonders of the area, such as the Turiun of Borbore, the Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Boschi and the Laghetto dei Fiori di Loto.
The tour will end in my Colla and Bastia vineyards, and will conclude with a winery visit and tasting!
You will be able to agree on the length and difficulty of the route, and even rent bikes in case you are not provided 🙂
Starting from 170€ for two – Book now
WHAT TO SEE
in Roero
Shrine of the Madonna dei Boschi
Founded between 1350-1400 as a small country chapel, the shrine has undergone several changes of expansion and renovation over the centuries. Today it preserves a valuable 15th-century Gothic fresco placed on the vault of the church’s nave.
Didactic Truffle Wood
It is the ideal place to learn about and discover the origin of the truffle. It is a small wood dedicated to the production of the mushroom due to the presence of plants that promote its growth. You can be taken on an educational tour to discover all the secrets of the truffle.
Roero Nature Museum
This is a small museum ideal for learning in depth about the natural environments of the Roero: the geological room tells the origin of the area, while the wildlife room is dedicated to the animals, plants and insects found on these hills.
Castle of Magliano Alfieri
A 17th-century work, it was apparently designed by architect Amedeo di Castellamonte. Summer residence of the Alfieri family, it preserves to perfection original plasterwork and frescoes. Its interior houses museums dedicated to landscape and plaster work.
Ecomuseum of the Rocche
An open-air museum dedicated to the nature and culture of the places. Through the many hiking or mountain biking trails, you can discover the history and uniqueness of the area characterized by fortresses and villages overlooking vertiginous precipices.
St. Victor’s Church
Priocca is home to this ancient Romanesque church, predating the year 1,000, which still preserves a valuable 1400 fresco, the Madonna and Child, along with the Marriage of St. Catherine, a 14th-century work.
ABOUT US
TripAdvisor reviews
This is what we were looking for!
This is what we were looking for! Professionality…..but most of all passion. A visit to discover familiar tradition and love for the land and for the wine. The sincerity, the hospitality and the passion of the owner turn the visit into a special experience.
Alessandro Bruno
Fabrizio Battaglino Wine tasting
Enjoyed all the wine choices: Arneis, Barbera, Munbel, Nebbiolo D’Alba, Barbaresco, Bric Bastia. Lovely experience. Nice family. Hope to return soon for more.
Janet H
Fantastic Experience
My only regret is that we didn’t buy more wine from Fabrizio! The entire experience was terrific. We were able to meet Fabrizio’s parents as well and you can really see that this is a family run business full of passion. We spent 3 hours talking with Fabrizio and his father learning about their process and tasting their wines. After visiting Fabrizio we went to two larger wineries and I can honestly say that our visit to Battaglino was by far the most outstanding.
maliachu
Reservations
Fill out the form below to book a winery visit or call us at +39 339 35 57 870 o al +39 0173 658156.
