Cascina La Barbatella

After 30 years at the helm of the enterprise he founded, Angelo Sonvico left La Barbatella in 2011. The new owner, Lorenzo Perego, has continued Sonvico’s legacy by assuring that Barbatella wines are of the same high quality that placed them amongst the best in all of Italy. On the hillsides of Nizza Monferrato, Barbatella’s vineyards are some of the premier terroirs in Asti with south and southeast facing slopes. Contrary to Langhe, where the best vineyards are planted with nebbiolo, here these exceptional terroirs are given to barbera.

The Monferrato appellation can be puzzling as you can find such a wide diversity of grape varieties. More so than most appellations, it’s vital to know who made the wine before you pop the cork. The estate’s flagship cuvée, the Monferrato Sonvico, a blend of equal parts barbera and cabernet sauvignon, has a well-deserved reputation as one of Italy’s top wines, receiving over ten “Tre Bicherrieri” awards from the prestigious Gambero Rosso. While stunning in youth, it’s a wine that will gain even more depth with a stint in a cellar. For more immediate consumption, the cuvée Ruanera, a unique blend of barbera with small amounts of cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir, is always an astute purchase.