Nebbiolo is one of
Italy’s most famous grapes. In the
Piedmont region of Northwest Italy, Nebbiolo is responsible for the prestigious
red wines of Barolo and Barbaresco. It
is an old grape dating back to the thirteenth century. Like Pinot Noir it has a
reputation for expressing the terroir in which it is grown, and the wines can
vary from brickish orange to inky black.
There are several clones of Nebbiolo the three most prevalent are
Lampia, Michet and Bolla. Lampia is the
most widespread and the Bolla is decreasing in importance. It is a late ripening variety and is often
limited to southwest facing hillsides where it benefits from the afternoon sun
and can successfully ripen.
Here in Amador
Cary Gott planted a row of Nebbiolo vines back in 1974. It was one of the lesser clones, and we never
made anything other than tannic orange colored wine, all the while pondering just
how this grape had gained such prestige in the marketplace. I took a thirty-year break from Nebbiolo and
then I watched with great interest when in 2011 Terri Harvey planted some
Nebbiolo in her Original Grandpére Vineyard on Steiner Road, We were blessed with the opportunity to
produce a small quantity (one barrel) in 2020.
Since then, we have a string of four vintages in a row starting in 2022
and look to continue this relationship. We are impressed with the color and our
ability to keep the tannins under control.
