The Langhe and Roero form one of the most recognisable wine-growing landscapes in southern Piedmont, shaped by the hills that follow the course of the Tanaro and by the varying exposures of the slopes. The Langhe lie at the foot of the Maritime Alps and the Ligurian Apennines, whilst the Roero stretches along the left bank of the river, characterised by the ‘Rocche’: steep ridges formed by the erosion of sandy soils. This varied terrain creates a mosaic of altitudes, gradients, ventilation and microclimates, which help the vines to achieve balanced ripening and distinct regional characteristics.
The climate is a cold, temperate subcontinental type, tempered by the protection of the Alps and the milder influences from the Ligurian Sea. In the Roero, conditions are predominantly relatively dry, with significant daily temperature ranges and good ventilation, whilst in the Langhe, the alternation of valleys and ridges contributes to considerable local variability.
The geology reveals an ancient marine origin. The Langhe feature calcareous marl, clay, sand and stratified sandstone, with formations such as the Sant’Agata Fossili marl, the Diano sandstone and the La Morra conglomerates. In the Roero, marl-sandstone soils and sands of marine, lacustrine and fluvial origin predominate, sometimes accompanied by silt, clay and limestone. This complex soil composition influences the structure, freshness and finesse of the wines.
Nebbiolo is the benchmark of viticulture in the Langhe and Roero regions, expressed in both great reds for ageing and in lighter, more fragrant styles. Alongside it, Barbera, Dolcetto and Freisa also feature, whilst the Roero region places particular emphasis on Arneis, a white grape variety with a distinct territorial identity. Favorita, Pelaverga and Nascetta complete the local ampelographic heritage. Single-varietal winemaking, alongside certain blends prescribed by the appellations, allows one to discern the differences between slopes and soils. In the hillside vineyards, the ‘controspalliera’ and Guyot pruning methods are traditional; on steeper slopes, manual labour remains an integral part of vineyard management and the passing on of a centuries-old farming tradition.