Roagna

There is no other producer in Northern Italy who follows Burgundy’s traditions and philosophy as closely as Luca Roagna. From the hierarchy of the single vineyards, all bottled separately since 2004 (The Luca Change), to the exceptional vineyard work, harvest, and winemaking, Roagna’s wines offer a pure expression of Nebbiolo and the different terroirs.

The Roagna family has been farming their land and producing wines in Barbaresco since 1800. They are considered the most important family in the Barbaresco region historically. The estate contains 15 hectares in some of the most historic vineyards in Barbaresco, including Pajé and Asili. The vineyards have been farmed naturally since the very beginning. The family believes in the concept of treating the vineyard as a forest, allowing over 300 different types of grass to grow between the vines, along with an assortment of animals that roam through the vineyard to feed naturally.

With between 45 and 120 days of skin maceration and long aging of 5 years in large Slovenian oak barrels for most of the range, and 8 years for the great Crichet Pajé, from the classic local barrel producer Garbellotto, the wines gain finesse, silkiness in the tannin structure, and drinkability that we usually find only in Burgundy wines—without sacrificing Nebbiolo’s long-aging potential.

Luca, currently representing the 5th generation of winemakers, is taking the estate from strength to strength. He works with the utmost respect for his land: old vines, massale selection, and promotion of biodiversity are all at the core of his approach in the vineyards. In the winery, long aging, wild yeast, and long macerations ensure that the essence of his terroir is expressed in the bottle.