Massolino Barolo Vigna Margheria 2020

Traditional in style yet fresh, structured and accessible. The sandy soils lend fruitiness and elegance to the resulting wine and the combination of traditional vinification and modern technology creates a wine which is not only accessible in its youth, but will also age extremely well. The acidity and tannins characteristic of the Nebbiolo grape are tempered by Massolino's winemaking skills, producing a wine with wonderful liquorice and rose petal aromas, typical of great Barolo, together with soft, ripe fruits.

Vineyards:

The 1.7 hectare Margheria vineyard is at an altitude of 340 metres above sea level. The soil is predominantly limestone with a fair percentage of sand. The vines are 25 years old on average and are Guyot trained, with 5,300 vines per hectare.

Vinification:

Fermentation and maceration lasted for around 15 days at temperatures between 31-33°C. The wine was aged in traditional large oak barrels for at least 30 months, followed by a further year in bottle before release.

History of Massolino

The story of Massolino begins with Giovanni Massolino, an enterprising pioneer who founded the estate in 1896 and brought electricity to Serralunga d’Alba, a testament to his forward-thinking vision. Giovanni’s legacy was continued by his son Giuseppe, who expanded the estate to include some of the best soils in the region and was one of the founding members of the Consortium for the Defense of Barolo and Barbaresco in 1934.

Giuseppe’s children, Giovanni, Camilla, and Renato, further elevated the estate by acquiring prized cru vineyards, including Margheria, Parafada, and Vigna Rionda. In the 1990s, Franco and Roberto Massolino, both trained oenologists, joined the winery, combining the family's deep-rooted tradition with modern innovation in viticulture and winemaking. Their efforts have positioned Massolino as one of the most respected names in Barolo production globally.

Region and Vineyards

Massolino’s vineyards, covering 57 hectares, are primarily located in Serralunga d'Alba, known for its calcareous soils and ability to produce long-lived, structured wines. The family also owns plots in Castiglione Falletto (Parussi cru).

The crown jewel of their holdings is the legendary Vigna Rionda vineyard, producing some of the most celebrated Barolo Riservas. The estate also manages vineyards in Margheria and Parafada, all of which are renowned for their unique expressions of Nebbiolo. Additionally, Massolino cultivates Dolcetto, Barbera, Moscato, and Chardonnay, highlighting the diversity of Serralunga's terroir.

Wine Range of Massolino

Massolino produces a range of wines that reflect both traditional and modern winemaking philosophies:

Classic Wines

• Dolcetto d'Alba DOC
• Barbera d'Alba DOC
• Langhe DOC Nebbiolo
• Barbaresco DOCG
• Barolo DOCG
  These wines, vinified in large wooden barrels, maintain Massolino’s commitment to tradition. The Gisep Barbera d'Alba, dedicated to Giuseppe Massolino, is aged in barriques for a modern expression of Barbera.

Cru Wines

Massolino produces single-vineyard Barolo DOCG wines from:

• Margheria
• Parafada
• Vigna Rionda, including their prestigious Barolo Riserva DOCG, some of which is aged for 10 years (Dieci Anni).
  From Castiglione Falletto, Massolino also crafts Barolo Parussi, demonstrating the estate’s exploration of terroirs beyond Serralunga.

White Wines

• Langhe DOC Chardonnay: An international-style wine partially aged in barriques.
• Moscato d’Asti DOCG: A fresh, aromatic expression of Serralunga-grown Muscat grapes.

Did You Know?

Massolino’s Vigna Rionda vineyard is regarded as one of the most prestigious sites in Barolo. The estate’s Dieci Anni Barolo Riserva, aged for 10 years before release, showcases their commitment to producing Barolo that exemplifies the patience and aging potential of this iconic wine.