Pio Cesare Barbaresco ‘Il Bricco’ 2019
Country
Italy
Region
Piemonte
Grape Varieties
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Dolcetto, Cortese, Moscato, Syrah
Wine Types
Still, Fortified, Sparkling, Red, White, Rose
About Pio Cesare
Pio Cesare is a historic Piemonte wine producer founded in 1881 in the centre of Alba, in the Langhe. Now led by the fifth generation of the family, Federica Boffa Pio and Cesare Benvenuto, the estate is known for Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera d’Alba, Langhe Nebbiolo, Gavi, Moscato d’Asti and a growing range of single-vineyard wines. Pio Cesare offers one of the region’s most established and recognisable names.
Pio Cesare was founded in 1881 by Cesare Pio, an entrepreneur who began producing a small quantity of wines from the hills of Barolo and Barbaresco. From the beginning, the estate was closely linked to quality, regional identity and the ambition to promote Piemonte beyond its local market.
Heritage
A family story since 1881
Over five generations, the family built Pio Cesare into one of the benchmark names of the Langhe. The winery remains in the historic centre of Alba, built over the city’s ancient Roman walls, making it one of the few producers still operating from the heart of the town. Today, the fifth generation, including Federica and Cesare, continues the work of preserving the family’s style while developing the estate’s vineyard holdings and range.
Region and Vineyards
Estate vineyards across the Langhe
Pio Cesare owns around 80 hectares of vineyards across key Piemonte areas, mainly in Barolo and Barbaresco, with additional holdings in Alta Langa and Colli Tortonesi. This vineyard breadth gives the family access to a wide range of exposures, soils and village characters, particularly for Nebbiolo.
The classic Barolo and Barbaresco are central to the estate’s identity. Rather than being single-site wines, they are produced from careful blends of grapes from different family-owned vineyards, following a traditional Langhe philosophy. Barolo “Pio” includes Nebbiolo from multiple villages including Serralunga, Monforte, Novello, La Morra and Grinzane Cavour, while Barbaresco “Pio” draws on vineyards in Treiso and Alba. This approach gives the wines balance, complexity and a complete expression of their appellations.
Viticulture and Winemaking
Sustainable vineyard work and classic ageing
Pio Cesare manages its vineyards according to sustainable viticulture practices, with careful respect for the land and low-yielding, quality-focused production. The estate works with the region’s key varieties: Nebbiolo for Barolo, Barbaresco and Langhe Nebbiolo; Barbera and Dolcetto for classic Piemonte reds; Cortese for Gavi; Moscato for Moscato d’Asti; and selected white varieties including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Timorasso.
In the cellar, the style combines tradition with precision. Barolo and Barbaresco undergo fermentation and long maceration before ageing in large oak casks, with a small proportion of barrique used where appropriate. The emphasis is on structure, ageing potential and the expression of Nebbiolo through balanced blending, rather than excessive oak or extraction. Single-vineyard wines such as Barolo Ornato, Barolo Mosconi and Barbaresco Il Bricco provide more site-specific interpretations.
Style of Wine
Pio Cesare produces still red, white and rosé wines, alongside traditional Piemonte specialities such as Barolo Chinato and Vermouth di Torino. The reds are led by Nebbiolo, with Barolo and Barbaresco offering structure, aromatic complexity, red fruit, spice, floral notes and long ageing potential. Barbera d’Alba and Dolcetto provide more immediate, food-friendly expressions of Piemonte.
The white wines add important range breadth. Gavi offers freshness and classic Cortese character, Moscato d’Asti provides a lightly sweet aromatic style, while Piodilei Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc show the estate’s more ambitious white wine work. This makes Pio Cesare more than a Barolo producer; it is a complete Piemonte reference.
Its location in Alba also gives the estate a rare sense of place. The historic cellars connect Pio Cesare directly to the commercial and cultural centre of the Langhe, strengthening its relevance for buyers who value provenance as well as appellation quality.
A Piemonte benchmark in the UK wine trade
On the wine list, Pio Cesare can build a full Piemonte ladder from one producer. Gavi, Dolcetto and Barbera support by-the-glass and regional listings, while Barolo, Barbaresco and single-vineyard wines strengthen fine dining, cellar and private-client selections.
