Burlotto

Founded in the 1850s by Giovan Battista Burlotto, a pioneering and passionate young landowner. From an early age, Burlotto recognised the potential of his region's famous vineyard's, and promptly bought highly desirable vineyards in Verduno and Barolo. In contrast to many other wine makers of his day, Burlotto's methods were rather innovative - deploying a selective process in the harvest and only using the finest grapes to make his wines, as well as bottling and labelling them in the same manner as the great French Chateaux. At the time, most other producers were producing table wine in bulk and distributing them in 'fusti', or kegs/barrels.

Burlotto's vision was reflected in their success, as their wines won a number of notable prizes in international competitions, as well as officially supplying some of Italy's great aristocratic and noble families.

Giovan Battista Burlotto passed away in 1927, and was succeeded by his son Francesco, who also played a significant role in establishing Pelaverga - both the grape varietry and the wine.

Today the winery remains in the family, run by mother and son Marina and Fabio.

Their farmhouse takes its name from the humorous cartoon that appeared in the satirical newspaper “The Moon” portraying the Commander G.B.Burlotto toasting a drink with a polar bear, after his nomination as 'Sole Provider of Wine' during the expedition of the Duke of Abruzzi to the North Pole (1899-1900).

The Burlotto estate owns vineyards amounting to just over 16 hectares, distributed between 14 crus and four different municipalities: Verduno, Barolo, Monforte d’Alba and Roddi. Of these 14 vineyards, 14 are located in the Barolo appellation

Vineyards

Monvigliero – these vineyards are split into parcels within Monvigliero, totalling to 2.02 hectares, with a uniform exposure to the South and a maximum altitude of 300 meters. Monvigliero is a typical example of a cru from the western Barolo area. In fact, it lies entirely on the so-called “laminated marls of Sant’Agata Fossili”, a complex of fine sediments. This is a mixture of clays, silt and sand with a strong limestone component and a grey-blue colour formed between 7 and 11 million years ago.

Neirane, Rocche dell’Olmo, Boscatto and Breri - The vineyard 0f Neirane faces west. Here they own 1.1 hectares at about 360 meters above sea level. At the same altitude there are two other plots, Rocche dell’Olmo (1.25 hectares) and Boscatto (1.13 hectares). The Breri grapes are used for their ‘vintage’ Barolo. Breri is a hill in its own right with the same geology as Monvigliero, with which it shares a border.

Cannubi – Burlotto’s plot, in the area called “Cannubi Valletta”, covers an area of 0.7 hectares, with a maximum altitude of 280 meters above sea level.

Castelletto – Burlotto’s most recent acquisition. Its starting vintage will be 2018 producing a new single vineyards Barolo. They own an area of 1.07 hectares with mild exposure east southeast, at an altitude from 270 to 300 meters.

Other vineyards – Burlotto’s vineyards that contribute to wines other than Barolo total to 8.17 hectares. Scattered among different municipalities with different terroirs planting Pelaverga piccolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Freisa and Sauvignon Blanc. These vineyards are Cadìa, Castagna, Perno, and L’Urdiä.