VIRNA BORGOGNO

The estate of Virna, owned for over a century by the Borgogno family, is situated in Barolo at the center of the Langhe. Virna today extends over 12 hectares of some of the most important crus in Barolo: Cannubi Boschis, Preda, Sarmassa, I Merli, San Giovanni, and Costa delle Rose. Virna Borgogno, having a rich family history with wine, and some of the finest vineyards in Barolo, began bottling under her own name decades ago. Her winery sits at the foot of the Cannubi Boschis hill, which marks the dividing line between two different types of soil. The Tortonian soil to the north and west (La Morra) is generally more compact marl mixed with sand, producing elegant, softer wines that are more approachable in their youth. The Helvetian soils, with loose, less fertile sandstone and limestone rich marl, are to the south and east (Serraglunga). Cannubi means “union” in dialect, and refers to the meeting of these two distinctive soil types.

From her own vineyards on Cannubi Boschis and others around Barolo, Virna creates magnificent wines, primarily from the Nebbiolo grape. Her Barolos are long lived, structured wines that should be appreciated throughout their long lives. Virna herself is the very epitome of the Italian winemaker; her wines are all about the land, the history, and the traditions of her ancestors. She is the first woman in Italy to have received her degree in Winemaking Technique (Enologica Tecnica) from the University of Turin.