Cieck Vigna Misobolo Erbaluce 2022

Grape: Erbaluce

Region: Piedmont, Italy

Farming: Organic

In the northwest corner of Italy, above Torino and below Val d’Aosta, sits the Canavese subregion of Alto Piemonte and the Cieck Winery, esteemed especially for its work with the native Erbaluce grape. Remo Falconieri, who founded the winery in 1985 and consults for other wineries in the area as well, works with his daughter Lia. Their 20 hectares are planted to indigenous varieties of the region, including Erbaluce, Barbera, Freisa, and the rare Neretto. The family also specializes in making sparkling wines that are hand turned, disgorged and stoppered with corks. Azienda Agricola Cieck was founded by Remo Falconieri—nicknamed "the Archimedes of bubbles"—a typewriter designer at Olivetti who traveled to France to learn sparkling wine production. He released his first vintage in 1987 and helped elevate Erbaluce's profile, contributing to its DOCG recognition in 2010. Forty years later, at 90, Remo is still involved. This is the cru of Erbaluce, Casa Cieck’s most cherished vineyard. A historic vineyard that is over 50 years old and embraces the hill of San Giorgio, 320 metres above sea level. It was one of the first vineyards that Remo planted with exclusively white grapes.  Misobolo is a historic placename in the village: it is home to the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Misobolo, a place loved by many Canavese people.