In the northwest of Italy, bordering Switzerland in the north and France in the west, Piedmont is celebrated as one of Italy’s foremost wine-producing areas. Its fame is largely attributed to producing illustrious wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco, which garner international acclaim for their quality and complexity. Renowned for its prestigious vineyards and winemaking traditions, however, more and more winemakers are carving their conventions and prioritizing the production of sustainable Piedmont wines.
Piedmont’s viticultural landscape, spanning approximately 111,000 vineyard acres, is a testament to its diversity. The region is home to 41 DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) and 19 DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) appellations, each uniquely contributing to the region’s wine culture.
Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, the region’s terroir, characterized by rolling hills, valleys, and microclimates, provides an ideal environment for grape cultivation. However, this unique landscape also presents challenges, particularly regarding specific certifications. For instance, the high density in Serralunga creates challenges for biodynamic regulations. Some producers and vineyards are too close for one neighbour to follow certification rules and the other not.
Despite these challenges, Piedmont is increasingly becoming eco-friendly, with organizations and initiatives championing environmentally conscious viticulture. The Green Experience serves as a platform for wineries to enhance the distinctiveness of their production methods, preserve natural resources, and care for the hilly landscape. Similarly, Made In Piedmont, a collective of winemakers and growers, promotes the region’s unique terroir while advocating for sustainable agriculture and responsible land stewardship.
From crisp whites to robust reds, the following wines exemplify the region’s commitment to eco-friendly winemaking and adhering to sustainability principles.
La Raia
Pisé 2019
Gavi DOCG
$40
Situated between the jaw-dropping scenery of Novi Ligure and Gavi, La Raia is Demeter-certified. Its 124-acre vineyards thrive under biodynamic practices, which means they’re all about keeping things in sync with nature while they grow their grapes. The estate’s recent installation of photovoltaic panels underscores its commitment to reducing carbon emissions, further solidifying its position as a leader in environmental conservation.
Crafted from the Cortese grape, La Raia Pisé 2019 showcases the terroir’s unique minerality. This exceptional wine, aged on its lees for over two years, offers notes of citrus that intertwine with hints of stone fruit and honey, accentuated by a delicate floral aroma, culminating in a rich, lingering, and elegant finish.
Virna
Borgogno Noi 2019
Barolo DOCG
$44
The Virna estate is under the stewardship of sisters Virna and Ivana Borgogno. Descendants of one of the most renowned Langhe families, they continue the legacy of their ancestors. Virna, the namesake of the label, made history as the first woman in Italy to earn a degree in oenology and oenological techniques in 1988, a testament to her pioneering spirit and dedication to the craft.
As a member of The Green Experience network, vineyards used to make Noi (parcels in Novello, Monforte, and La Morra townships) use eco-friendly methods, such as diffusing pollinating insects, planting herbs and flowers, and eliminating chemical weeding.
Nebbiolo is the dominant grape in Noi, along with Lampia and Michet. It offers aromas of ripe red berries, dried flowers, and subtle earthy notes. The palate has rich fruit flavors, accented by savory spice. Velvety tannins provide structure and balance, leading to a long, lingering finish.
Tenuta Cucco
del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba 2019
Barolo DOCG
$68
Since obtaining organic certification in 2018, the estate — under the care of the Rossi Cairo family — has embraced sustainable methods while fostering biodiversity. The estate strives to create a harmonious union between viticulture and the surrounding ecosystem through initiatives like cut green manuring, which reinforces the vitality of the soil and the plants. They also only use natural products to control fungal diseases and are reintroducing local species around the vineyards, such as downy oak, hornbeam, field maples, and wood-yielding cherry trees.
Sourced from the Bricco Voghera and lower Cerrati areas in Serralunga d’Alba, this wine offers classic Nebbiolo notes of dried rose, fig, and licorice. Aged 24 months in large barrels and 12 months in the bottle, it presents an unexpected youthful tartness with elegant structure and exceptional complexity.
Massimo Rivetti
Froi 2020
Barbaresco DOCG
$40
Nestled in Neive, the Massimo Rivetti vineyards span 29 acres with vines between 40 and 75 years old. Their organic approach extends to every production stage, beginning with no herbicide or pesticide use in the vineyards. During winemaking, they use natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts and minimal sulfates.
With a south-west exposure and an altitude of 1,246 feet (380 meters) above sea level, the vineyards thrive in a mixed chalky clay soil.
Massimo Rivetti Barbaresco Froi 2020 was aged for 20 months in Slavonian oak barrels and six months in the bottle before release. On the palate, it reveals layers of ripe red fruits, dried flowers, and hints of spice, underscored by velvety tannins and vibrant acidity.
Ceretto
Bricco Asili Bernardot 2020
Barbaresco DOCG
$115
With a legacy dating back to the 1930s, Ceretto has embraced environmentally sustainable farming methods. This dedication began in the early 2000s when Alessandro Ceretto, part of the family’s third generation, joined the company. His winemaking rationale is to intervene as little as possible, which starts in the vineyards, all converted to organic in 2010 and certified in 2015.
Bricco Asili Bernardot, originating from the iconic Bricco Asili winery established by Bruno and Marcello Ceretto in 1973, showcases the essence of the Treiso terroir with precision and finesse. On the nose, it offers a bouquet of strawberries and rose petals — soft and captivating tannins on the palate with vibrant acidity and juicy finish.
