Broccardo's Journey through Barolo: Exploring the History and Impact of His Vineyard Expeditions in Barolo
The Broccardo family, led by third-generation vintner Laura Broccardo and her siblings, Filippo and Federica, have been producing full-bodied Barolo wines under their name since 2009. Sourcing grapes from four prestigious MGAs (Municipalities of Origin) — Bricco San Pietro, Paiagallo, Ravera, and San Giovanni — the family is committed to preserving the freshness, purity, and fruit-forward aromas of their wines, while showcasing the unique characteristics of each terroir.
The Broccardo Family's Winemaking Philosophy
The Broccardo family's winemaking philosophy revolves around respect for the raw material and the unique terroir of the Langhe region. They aim to craft authentic, expressive, and true-to-origin wines, using a minimalist approach in the cellar and prioritizing indigenous yeast strains in favourable vintages. The family also follows sustainable viticulture practices, including cover cropping and reduced chemical use, and their wines have been certified as sustainable since 2016.
The Broccardo Family's Wines
The Broccardo family's portfolio includes the Broccardo Barolo I Tre Pais 2021, Broccardo Barolo Paiagallo 2021, Broccardo Barolo San Giovanni 2021, Broccardo Barolo Ravera 2021, and Broccardo Barolo Bricco San Pietro 2021. In addition, they are experimenting with a Metodo Classico sparkling wine made from Nebbiolo grapes.
Bricco San Pietro
Wines from Bricco San Pietro, a cru in Monforte d'Alba, tend to have a perfumed bouquet with floral and red fruit notes. They are smooth and balanced on the palate, often showing finesse with moderate tannins and good acidity. Known for their graceful structure, these wines can be approachable earlier than other Barolos but still age well.
Paiagallo
Paiagallo, close to the village of Barolo, produces wines that are charming and well-balanced, with aromas of roses, violets, red fruits, and earthy nuances. These wines are often full-bodied with deep color and concentrated flavors of dark cherry, plum, and sometimes earthy or spicy nuances. They typically show firm tannins and a robust backbone, making them wines with strong aging potential and a more muscular style compared to Bricco San Pietro.
Ravera
Ravera, in Novello, is one of the most sought-after MGAs in Barolo, known for its precise and exceptionally long wines with complex aromatics and excellent cellaring potential. Ravera wines offer layered aromas of ripe fruit combined with floral, tar, and mineral notes. The palate tends to be rich and powerful, with fine but firm tannins and vibrant acidity.
San Giovanni
San Giovanni, also in Monforte d'Alba, produces wines with robust and delicate characteristics, known for their aromatics, roses, cherries, and subtle spices. The wines tend to be classic Barolo in style — neither too austere nor overly fruity — often offering a good middle ground between clarity and power.
Export Markets and Emerging Opportunities
The Broccardo family's biggest export markets are the USA, Northern Europe, and Japan. They have also noticed a warm reception for their wines in the emerging market of Georgia.
In conclusion, the Broccardo winery's expression of these four Barolo sub-MGAs showcases a range from elegant and perfumed (Bricco San Pietro), to powerful and structured (Paiagallo and Ravera), to balanced and classic (San Giovanni). Each reflects its specific vineyard site within the Barolo region’s diverse mosaic.
- The Broccardo family, known for their Barolo small-business, has been successful in both lifestyle-driven markets like the USA and Europe, as well as emerging markets such as Japan and Georgia, thanks to their authentic, expressive food-and-drink offerings.
- The Broccardo family's sustainable winemaking practices and commitment to indigenous yeast strains have not only contributed to the unique flavor profiles of their wines but also attracted attention from finance-minded consumers seeking sustainable and responsible investments.
- In addition to their traditional Barolo wines, the Broccardo family is experimenting with cooking new recipes for a Metodo Classico sparkling wine, which they hope will diversify their portfolio and appeal to diverse food-and-drink preferences.
