The Roagnas have been making Barbaresco since the late 19th century. After taking over from Alfredo after the 2001 vintage, Luca Roagna has kept true to the traditional wine-making of previous generations whilst fine-tuning it to turn out pure, unique Piedmontese wines that are sought-after the world over. The family’s 16 hectares are split between Barbaresco and Barolo, with some choice parcels in some of the region’s finest vineyards, including the monopole Pira of Castiglione Falletto. Picking here is usually late so that the seeds are ripe. The wine-making is gentle long and slow, fermentation is in large old oak casks and maceration times vary between 60 to 90 days depending on the wine and the vintage. The wines are released later than almost any others in Piedmont, being aged for between 5 to 8 years in cask. These are beguiling, intense soulful wines.