2016, Trediberri Barbera d’Alba

The Producer

The name “Trediberri”, or “three of Berri”, is a reference to founders; Nicola, his father Federico, and their friend Vladimiro, and the winery’s location in the small hamlet of Berri.

Federico’s family has owned small parcels in the Rocche dell’Annunziata cru for many generations. In the late 1960s, Renato Ratti recognized the enormous potential of this site, and offered to purchase the land. Federico’s parents declined to sell, but instead offered to lease Ratti the land, under the condition that he hires their son Federico, who at the time was 19 years old, and was working as a plumber. Ratti agreed, and Federico went on to work for him from 1970 until 2005. Federico credits Ratti for teaching him much of what he knows today about winemaking and viticulture. In 1976 Ratti created the now famous “Carta del Barolo”, which illustrated the different vineyard sites in the Barolo growing zone, and identified which sites he believed to be best for growing Nebbiolo. The map was the first of its kind in Langhe, and Rocche was classified as a “‘first category vineyard”, a title which only the absolute best sites received. To this day, vineyard sites which Ratti categorized as “first category vineyards”, are recognized as some of the best sites in the Barolo growing zone.

Nicola became interested in wine at the age of 14 while working at an enoteca in La Morra, and quickly became extremely knowledgeably on the wines of Langhe. By the time Nicola was 18 he’d fallen in love with the world of wine, and had formed a small tasting group with friends. Despite Nicola’s interest and knowledge of wine, Federico urged him not to pursue this passion professionally. Nicola studied at Bocconi University in Milan, graduated with a degree in finance, and after graduating worked for Merrill Lynch in London as a derivatives trader. However, after 3 years of working in finance, Nicola realized this wasn’t at all what he wanted to do, and was drawn back to Langhe to pursue his true passion.

When Nicola returned to Langhe he convinced his father to find a site that they could purchase together with the help of their friend Vladimiro, who splits his time between being the director of a bank in Turin, and Trediberri, which he considers his passion. The three purchased 4.75 hectares (11,75 acres) in the Berri vineyard in La Morra in 2007, and Trediberri was born. In addition to the newly acquired vineyard in Berri, they had prime holdings in Rocche dell’Annunziata and Torriglione which have been in the Oberto family for several generations. With these sites, Trediberri released their first wine in 2011. Over the years, they’ve purchased additional vineyards in top sites throughout Langhe, and have also rented a few small parcels. Today, Trediberri produces 8 different wines; Langhe Sauvignon, Langhe Rosato (made from a blend of indigenous red varieties), Dogliani Bricco Mollea (made from old Dolcetto vines which date back to the 50s and 70s), Barbera d’Alba, Langhe Nebbiolo, Barolo del Comune di La Morra (made from a blend of different sites in La Morra), Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata (made from grapes grown in La Morra’s famous Rocche dell’Annunziata cru), and beginning with the 2018 vintage “Barolo Vinoteca Centro Storico”, available for sale at the famous Vinoteca Centro Storico in Serralunga d’Alba (which happens to be one of our favorite places to visit in Langhe). We look forward to trying a bottle of Trediberri’s new Barolo Vinoteca Centro Storico during our next visit to see Ciccio at Vinoteca Centro Storico. For more information on this incredible producer, be sure to visit Trediberri’s website by clicking here.

Technical Info

Comune: La Morra and Roero Province: Cuneo Region: Piedmont Altitude (Torriglione): 250m (820ft) – 270m (885ft) Sun Exposure (Torriglione): East, Southeast, South Varietal Composition: 100% Barbera Vinification: Alcoholic fermentation happens in concrete and/or stainless steel and lasts around 12-15 days. Malolactic takes place in concrete and/or stainless steel, and cold stabilization happens outdoor or in conditioned steel tanks. Aging: After stabilization, the wine ages for some months in concrete, steel and plastic, before being bottled, usually in April-May of the year after the harvest.

Click here to read more about this wine on Trediberri’s website

Technical info provided courtesy of Trediberri’s Website.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Slightly opaque Bing cherry red with a purplish hue

Aromas: A very expressive nose filled with aromas of crushed cherries, cranberries, wet stone, rosemary, sage, forest floor, and smoke.

Palate: Flavors of cherries, raspberries, strawberries, rose petals, forest floor, and wet earth, with bright, vibrant, lively acidity.

Notes: Paired beautifully with a margarita pizza finished with slices of mortadella and rosa salami.