How to Visit Wineries in Barolo, Italy?

Where is Barolo?

The village of Barolo is located in Langhe valley in the Province of Cuneo of the northern Italian region of Piedmont between the communes of Cuneo and Asti, southwest of the town of Alba.

The nearest large cities are Turin, Milan, and Genoa.

Barolo is a small medieval village with a castle whose first records date back to the 10th century. The Falletti castle dominating the village is now a Wine Museum, considered to be Italy’s most innovative.

The village is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.  750 people live in the commune of Barolo. 

Barolo is one of the villages in the Langhe region and the wine area denominated as Barolo DOCG.

Best Season to Visit Barolo

  • Grape harvest in September and October.
  • Fall colors in the vineyards are beautiful in October and November
  • Alba Truffle Festival from October to December
  • Spring and summer are good times to visit Langhe.  Be prepared for some mosquitoes in the summer months.
  • Monforte Jazz Festival in August
  • Collisioni Rock Festival in August
  • Winters between December to February could be very slow

What kind of wine is made in Barolo?

Barolo is famous for the red wine produced in appellation Barolo DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita).  Barolo is one of Italy’s greatest wines and is placed by critics among the top wines of the world.

The zone of production extends into the villages of Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba and parts of the of Cherasco, Diano d’Alba, Grinzane Cavour, La Morra, Monforte d’Alba, Novello, Roddi, and Verduno

Map of Barolo Wine Region

Wines produced in the communes of La Morra and Barolo are usually lighter in style as they come from limestone-based vineyards. The communes of Serralunga d’Alba, Monforte d’Alba, and Castiglione Falletto with sandstone soils produce bolder style Barolo.

Barolo can only be made from Nebbiolo, a small thin-skinned black grape with high acidity and grippy tannins.  Barolo wines can be light in color.

 

 

Nebbiolo is called “wine of the fog” from the Italian name for fog “nebbia.” As the warm air from the valley meets cold air from the mountains, fog forms and then dissipates through the days.

Vines grow on the sunny southern slopes of the hills at altitudes of 300-500 meters, they break buds quite early but are the latest to be harvested (mid to late October). As grapes ripen slowly, they produce the levels of acidity necessary to balance the stringent tannins of Nebbiolo. 

Nebbiolo’s other name is “the wine of kings and king of wines,” a favorite of the Italian aristocrats, collectors, and connoisseurs.

Typical aromas of Barolo are roses, red cherries, herbs, spices, and dried flowers.

Barolo DOCG wines must be aged for 3 years of which 18 months must be in oak. These wines generally need to be aged in a bottle for at least 10-15 years to reach their best and soften tannins.

The term “Riserva” can be used on the Barolo label when the wine has been cellared for at least five years.  “Vigna” stands for wines from single-vineyard grapes.

 

Which are the best years for Barolo wine?

The best years for Barolo wine have been 2016, 2010, 2006, 2001.

How much does Barolo wine cost?

Barolo wines start from $35 per bottle and go to over $200-700 per bottle for the higher-end Riservas and Vignas.  

The high cost of Barolo comes from its unique quality and supply and demand, however, the cost of production is also high given the hand-picking, long barrel aging requirements, and over a decade of bottle aging.

Which other wines can be tasted in Piedmont?

Barbaresco is located northeast of the city of Alba in the Apennines. Barbaresco awards DOCG status to vineyards located on the south-facing slopes.  

The famous Gaja winery produces wines in both Barbaresco and Barolo appellations.

In Barbaresco, the soils are mostly limestone-based.  The climate having less of a shift between day-time and night-time temperatures than in Barolo produces grapes that ripen sooner but have thinner skins. This means Barbaresco tends to have less tannin, color, and aroma compounds. Thus, Barbaresco wines are usually lighter tasting and less tannic  than Barolo.  They can typically be enjoyed earlier than Barolos.

Other red wines produced in the area are Dolcetto D’Alba and Barbera D’Asti. Dolcetto is the opposite of Nebbiolo. It is producing wines that are low in acid yet high in tannins. Barbera wines are dark in color and taste like black cherry, anise, and dried herbs.

Asti is also famous for the sparkling wine produced from Moscato grape.

Dry white wines produced in the area are Gavi,  Arneis  and  Langhe Chardonnay.

You can find a mix of these wines at almost any of the Barolo wineries.

 

How to visit wineries in Barolo?

It would be easiest to travel around by car.  Make appointments with the Barolo wineries and plan for about 1 to 2 hours for each visit depending on the type of visit you choose.  

Wine tour arrangements to the top Barolo wineries should be made in advance. Some of the wineries are only open to trade. However, these tours can sometimes be arranged by your wine shop or your wine supplier in the US or the UK or through a local wine tour guide.

Most visit packages include a guided winery tour and tasting of local wines.  

When visiting make sure that you taste some single-vineyard Barolo, one of the crus,  which are the most praised wines.  I found that some less expensive wine tours do not include a tasting of Barolo wines.  Instead, you will be offered a variety of other Langhe wines.

An organized Barolo wine tour is another good option when traveling without a car. Barolo wine tours pick up from Turin, Milan, Alba, or your accommodation in Piedmont.

It is possible to trek around the area – for example between Barolo and other communes around: Montfort d’Alba, Novello, Castiglione Falletto, and La Morra. For example, there is a hiking and wine-tasting tour starting from Alba.

Map of Barolo wineries to visit

I marked on the map wineries with exceptional Barolo you can visit on your Barolo wine tour.  

You can also check out my catalogue of Barolo and Barbaresco wineries.

Barolo wine tours

Hire a private guide or get on one of the wine tours if you don’t want to navigate the hilly and winding roads, or designate a driver.

Private wine tours to Barolo would pick you up from your accommodation in TurinMilan, or in the area.

Private Tour: Barolo Wine Tasting in Langhe area from Torino

Semi-private Piedmont and Barolo Wine Tour from Milan 

Local specialties

  • White truffles
  • Hazelnuts
  • Fresh pasta tajarin and ravioli a la plan
  • Cheese Robiola di Roccaverano
  • Langhe bacon and sausages
  • WiMU Wine Museum in Barolo
  • Trekking
  • Cooking classes
  • Corkscrews Museum in Barolo
  • Panoramic viewpoints in La Morra, Verdun, Mondorte d’Alba, and Serralunga d’Alba
Polina

Polina

I am a sommelier and a wine tour guide.

I travel for wine in Europe, collecting the best wineries to visit, best places to stay and eat.

Contact me

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