Pio Cesare

One of the oldest family firms in the region and the only one to have its winery and cellars in Alba, Pio Cesare is currently run by Pio Boffa, just the fourth generation to be at the helm since 1881, who has now been joined by his daughter. The family own 71 hectares and with the exception of a small amount of Gavi, only make wine from their own fruit. They make a full range of Langhe wines including a very reliable Barolo, but pride of place goes to the cru wines of Ornato and Mosconi, both of which are top class. Whilst this is an old firm and the same winemaker has been in charge for 30 years, there is a good mixture of tradition and modernity, with long macerations the norm, but more gentle than they were in the past and 20% barriques used for aging now. Pio was also an early pioneer of making Chardonnay in the region, with a small plot in Barbaresco planted in the early 80’s from which Piodelei is made.