Pio Cesare
Piemontese classics from a 'modern traditionalist'
This historic family-owned estate is named after its founder Cesare Pio, who established the business in 1881. The winery is based in Alba, in the heart of Langhe in Piemonte and is now run by Federica Boffa and Cesare Benvenuto, the fifth generation of the family. Pio Cesare vineyards are nestled between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. The surrounding hills are ideal for vine growing with unique micro-climates and varying exposures. The confluence of cold Alpine air with warm maritime moisture regularly creates a mist, or ‘nebbia’, over the foothills, giving name to Nebbiolo, the great red variety of the region.
BAROLO PIONEERS IN THE UK
Pio Cesare developed Barolo’s reputation overseas in the 1950s by being one of the first producers to export the wine to the UK. The founder’s great grandson Pio Boffa was deeply convinced of the importance of cultivating and growing owned land to produce high quality wines and played a key role in the acquisition of vineyards in the same locations where Cesare Pio used to buy his grapes from.
VINEYARDS
Pio Cesare own 80 hectares of vineyards in the Langhe Region, including 30 ha in the Barolo region and 25 ha in the Barbaresco regions. In the hills of Barolo and Barbaresco, the family own several premium sites that were selected over the generations for their aspect, microclimate and soli composition. In the Barolo region the vineyards are located across 5 different communes: Serralunga d’Alba (Ornato, Serra, Briccolina, Lirano and Colombaro), Monforte d’Alba (Mosconi), Grinzane Cavour (Gustava and Garretti), La Morra (Roncaglie), Novello (Ravera). In the Barbaresco region the vineyards are located in Treiso (Bricco di Treiso, San Stunet, Bongiovanni) and San Rocco Seno d’Elvio (Rocche Massalupo). The family firmly believes that the true essence of each region can be best captured by blending various terroirs. Each terroir brings forth distinct characteristics that harmonize with one another. This philosophy is expressed in their flagship wines, Barolo and Barbaresco Pio, which continue to embody the timeless recipe of traditional wines from the 19th century. Since the 2015 vintage and the whole wine production comes from only family-owned vineyards.
Pio Cesare is also dedicated to the production of white wines, being the first producer in the Langhe region growing Chardonnay in the 1980s. Today they continue their experimentation with the white wines with their latest addition to the portfolio being Blanc Sauvignon and Rosy. Blanc Sauvignon is a 100% Sauvignon Blanc made from Il Bricco vineyard in Treiso and partially aged in oak barrels, Rosy is a full bodied yet elegant rosé made from Nebbiolo grapes sourced from the same vineyard. Both wines, made in very limited quantities, show the typical structure and complexity coming from Il Bricco terroir and can age beautifully in the bottle.
MINIMAL INTERVENTION WINEMAKING
Pio Cesare Nebbiolos are made with short macerations, separate lot fermentation, judicious selection from barrel and large cask ageing. The wines must reflect the terroir rather than the winemaking.
THE CLASSIC RANGE
There are a total of 11 wines within the portfolio which includes seven ‘classic’ wines representing the significant and diverse terroirs of Piemonte (Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo d’Alba, Barbera d’Alba, Dolcetto d’Alba, l’Altro Chardonnay and Gavi). Pio Cesare has established itself as a benchmark producer of the classic wines of the region, particularly Barolo. Pio Boffa decided to include this message on the Classic Barolo label: “”Please don’t call it regular”, in order to start the discussion around the true value of the unique wines from the Barolo. They are world-renowned wines with a staggering history.
SINGLE VINEYARDS
Forth generation Pio Boffa created a limited range of ‘single vineyard’ wines; Barolo ‘Ornato’, Barbaresco ‘Il Bricco’, Barbera ‘Fides’ and ‘Piodilei’ Chardonnay. The latest single vineyard wine added to the Pio Cesare portfolio is Barolo Mosconi, from the eponymous vineyard, first vintage release 2015. These collectables are only produced in the very best vintages, offering a more modern interpretation of some of the great individual sites in Piemonte, an unparalleled concentration and a remarkable ageing potential.
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