As we prepare to enter the heart of a new season, we would like to keep you informed and share some important thoughts regarding the weather patterns and the recent developments that have marked the past few months, which were crucial for our land and our vineyards.
The winter was characterized by temperatures higher than the historical average for the area. On the contrary, rainfall was below average. Notably, there was no snowfall—an event that has always been common here in Novello in past years.
These relatively stable conditions allowed us to carry out pruning operations smoothly during the month of February, without any setbacks or difficulties.
Despite the mild winter, budbreak, particularly in the late-ripening grape varieties, was slightly delayed compared to last year. However, rains in March helped replenish water reserves and fostered a subsequent acceleration in vegetative growth, bringing the development back in line with the standards of past years.
April also turned out to be warmer than average, although accompanied by abundant rainfall, at times quite intense. This trend continued into May, which was marked by general climate instability. Managing the vineyards under these conditions was not easy and required maximum effort from our team. Despite the challenges, the work carried out has so far yielded excellent results, the fruit of solid experience acquired over time and of attentive, consistent labor.
With the arrival of June, there was a sharp increase in temperatures, with hot, sunny days, though still accompanied by a good diurnal temperature range between day and night.
This period of stability was interrupted on Saturday, June 21, when a thunderstorm with hail hit the area. Fortunately, the damage was limited and confined to a few areas, with no serious consequences for our vineyards.
At the moment, thanks to prompt and targeted vineyard management, we have been able to effectively contain the spread of diseases such as downy mildew and powdery mildew, which are currently not a major concern.
In light of these observations, it is clear that even this season reflects the visible effects of climate change. A challenge, no doubt, but also an opportunity for us as winemakers, who are called upon to interpret the new conditions and adapt our agricultural practices in order to continue ensuring excellence and preserving the identity of the wines born from our land.
Over the years, we have learned to manage our vineyards better under conditions of heat, drought, or intense rainfall. We have gathered data, developed expertise, and increased our awareness. This has allowed the grapes to achieve more complete phenolic maturation — something that used to be much rarer in the past.
Nebbiolo, a grape variety as noble as it is demanding, now offers us riper, more elegant, and silky tannins. And it is precisely in the tannins that the true qualitative challenge lies: when well-ripened, they give the wine depth, finesse, and nobility; when underripe, they risk making the wine harsh, astringent, and unbalanced.
In this new climatic phase, Barolo has become more elegant, and more approachable in its expression. In a word: more readable even for the contemporary consumer.
Cover image by Clay McLachlan