05 September 2024
As the summer heat fades away and the long sunny days come to an end, Cantine Ceretto is gearing up for the most exciting season of the year: autumn, with all its rich flavors, aromas, and colors.
September brings a flurry of activity in the vineyards as we chase after ripe grapes to be brought to our wineries in Alba, Castiglione Falletto, Barbaresco, and Santo Stefano.
Here, time takes on a slower pace, marked by the aging of Barolo and Barbaresco wines, each year promising unique sensations.
These wines tell the story of a diverse landscape, shaped by different terroirs that give each wine a distinct, recognizable identity both on the nose and palate.
Nebbiolo is the grape that best captures these regional differences.
“Our guest experience wouldn’t be complete without the Cru Tasting,” explains Selena Castelnuovo, hospitality manager at Ceretto. “The magic of Nebbiolo lies in its rare ability to express the terroir. By tasting wines from some of our most iconic vineyards, we showcase the many expressions of Barbaresco and Barolo.”
Exploring the nine crus of Barolo and Barbaresco highlights the unique qualities of each parcel of land that makes up Ceretto's estate - about 180 hectares of vineyards cultivated organically and with biodynamic practices. Additionally, it’s an essential step in appreciate these wines' ability to evolve over time. "Barbaresco and Barolo in Vertical" is the perfect experience for those interested in exploring the differences across various vintages of these two wines that define the identity of the Langhe hills.
Autumn also brings another prized gem: the Alba White Truffle, a rare treasure of these woods. Equally valuable is the Barolo Bricco Rocche, the smallest vineyard in the denomination and a Ceretto family monopole, acquired in 1978. The name "bricco" refers to the hilltop, the perfect spot for a vineyard. The “Rarities” tasting includes another flagship wine, Barbaresco Asili, the first of a series of acquisitions by Ceretto, celebrating its 50th anniversary since the first harvest in 1974. The hospitality team emphasizes these two exceptional wines through a vertical tasting of three vintages, highlighting their great aging potential and symbolic status within the Ceretto cellars.
Over time, the Ceretto family has expanded into other ventures. In 1994, they founded Relanghe, a confectionery company that celebrates another local specialty: IGP Piedmont Hazelnuts, featured in traditional recipes like torrone.
In 1999, they restored the Barolo Chapel atop the Brunate vineyard in La Morra, a project by Sol LeWitt and David Tremlett. This was the beginning of several initiatives using art to bring life and contemplation to the Langhe hills.
In 2005, the Ceretto experience expanded with two restaurants in collaboration with chef Enrico Crippa. Piazza Duomo, a three-Michelin-star establishment in the heart of Alba, offers haute cuisine, while La Piola, as its name suggests, pays homage to tradition and its recipes.
So come and explore the Langhe hills, savor the tastes and aromas of this region, with a glass in hand, ready to immerse yourself in the world of Ceretto.
