Luca Roagna is one of the most loyal ambassadors of his region, Piedmont. The finesse and freshness of his wines, as well as his aversion to overly oaked élevages, have made this domain at once unmissable and very hard to come by… Welcome to the “Burgundy” of Italian wines!
Split between the production of Barbarescos and Barolos, the Langhe region produces the Burgundies of Italy. In this striking landscape of undulating hills, on which lies a patchwork of microterroirs, Nebbiolo is king. Located in the village of Barbaresco (Piedmont), the Roagna family is in charge of this historic domain which has been producing dry wine since 1880, when the region was home to liquor makers of the north of Italy.
Thanks to an extension in 1989, the domain produces Barbarescos as well as Barolos in the town of Alba, known for its wine fairs and white truffles. After having studied enology, Luca Roagna took over the running of the domain from his father Alfredo in the early 2000s. He vinified his first vintage in 2001. The domain’s ‘manifesto’ eloquently expresses this young winemaker’s philosophy, who is intimately connected to his land and now known as a true ‘signore’ in the Langhe region.
#01 Old vines located in historic vineyards
#02 Massale Selection – No Clones – Single Vineyard Wines
#03 Biodiversity, No herbicides, No Pesticides, No Fertilizers
#04 Maturity at Harvest
#05 Wild yeast fermentation
#06 Long aging in large oak casks
#07 Bottling using low sulfur and no filtration or fining
#08 Long maceration using a submerged cap
#09 Family tradition
#10 Purity from the terroir without any oak flavor
Here is thus a man who is searching for the authenticity of his terroir. He farms his vines organically without, however, trying to gain certification. Roagna’s vines contrast sharply with neighbouring vineyards: grass growing between rows is actively encouraged and almost anarchic, there is the price for the natural balance that Luca seeks to retain in his vineyard. Nebbiolo finds its best expression here, with its great acidity and aging potential.
Today, the domain is spread over 15 hectares and produces around 60,000 bottles… which are then sent directly for export to the USA, Great Britain, Scandinavia… It should be said that Luca Roagna has made a name for himself which has contributed to the prestige of his wines. An example is his decision to mature his wines in large oak barrels extensively, for a minimum of 4 to 5 years and up to 10 years for the Rivervas and the Crichët Pajé. The wines are only bottled when they “reveal the soul of their terroir”, in the words of Luca Roagna.
It’s with great pleasure that we offer you the wonders from this domain, which deliver all of the grandeur of the terroir of Piedmont.
Wines from domain Roagna currently for sale
Barbaresco Riserva Crichët Pajé
This prestigious cuvée’s name comes from Piedmontese dialect, in which “Crichet” means “the top of the little hill”. The youngest vines in the parcel are 60 years old, and the wine is matured in oak barrels for as many as ten years. Luca Roagna’s efforts are rewarded: the terroir lends a lovely velvety texture to this Barbaresco, with floral aromas and great aromatic length.
Barbaresco DOCG Pajé Vieilles Vignes
This Barbaresco made from old vines comes from a unique terroir of only 1.83 hectares. The vines are a minimum of 50 years old, and production is limited to a few thousand bottles per vintage. Each wine is numbered; an exceptional wine.
Barbaresco DOCG Pajé
This parcel is rich in limestone and has a microclimate thanks to its proximity to the Tanaro river which tempers the harsh winters and hot summers. Luca Roagna selects the grapes by hand, in order to preserve the purity of the fruit, and the wine is then matured for 5 years in oak barrels.
Barolo Roagna DOCG La Pira Vieilles Vignes
The La Pira vineyard is located in the village of Castiglione Falletto and was once owned by local nobility, who owned a private road which connected their vines to their château. For this cuvée, the grapes macerate for two months, allowing for very gentle extraction.
Barbaresco Asili DOCG Vieilles Vignes
The Asili parcel (0.22 hectares) is characterised by its sandy soils, on which old Nebbiolo plants grow, lending structure and character to the Barbaresco. The wine is matured for 4 to 6 years in French and Slovenian barrels, but the original aroma and delicacy of Nebbiolo is retained.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The grapes come from both the Pira vineyard (Barolo) and Pajé (Barbaresco), from the young vines, making this a more affordable cuvée. A superb, aromatically complex red wine, worthy of the refined reputation of Luca Roagna’s bottles.
