Albarella
al-ba-REL-la
A tiny MGA on the western flank of Cannubi, producing elegant, herbal Barolo from just 0.29 hectares of south-facing clay soils.
Albarella is a small Barolo MGA on the western side of the Cannubi hill, covering just 0.29 hectares of clay soils. South and south-west facing slopes at 280 to 350 meters elevation produce structured, herbal Nebbiolo with notable elegance. Borgogno released the first commercial vintage in 2018.
- MGA (Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva) within Barolo DOCG, Piedmont
- Total documented vineyard area: 0.29 hectares
- Elevation: 280 to 350 meters above sea level
- Aspect: south and south-west facing
- Soil: clay dominant
- Sole grape: Nebbiolo
- First commercial vintage by Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno was 2018
- Name derives from a local dialect word meaning 'small jar'
Location and Setting
Albarella sits on the western side of the celebrated Cannubi hill within the commune of Barolo. The site occupies a compact 0.29 hectares, making it one of the smallest officially recognized MGAs in the appellation. Elevations range from 280 to 350 meters, with south and south-west facing slopes that maximize sun exposure through the growing season. The proximity to Cannubi exerts a notable climatic influence, positioning Albarella within one of Barolo's most historically prestigious vineyard neighborhoods.
- Located within the Barolo commune, western flank of Cannubi hill
- Elevation range of 280 to 350 meters
- South and south-west aspect for strong sun exposure
- One of Barolo's smallest MGA parcels at 0.29 hectares
Soils and Climate
Clay soils define the terroir of Albarella. In the Barolo appellation, clay-dominant vineyards tend to produce wines with firm tannic structure, depth, and aging potential. The cool influence attributed to Cannubi's proximity moderates the site despite its favorable southerly aspect, contributing to the herbal aromatic character and finesse reported in wines from this MGA. The combination of clay soils and a cool microclimate creates conditions well suited to Nebbiolo's need for a long, measured ripening period.
- Clay soils provide structure and tannic backbone to the wine
- Cool microclimate moderated by Cannubi hill proximity
- Conditions favor slow, even Nebbiolo ripening
- Herbal aromatics are a defining character trait of this site
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Open Wine Lookup →History and Name
Albarella gained official MGA status as part of the broader Barolo cru classification system, which formalized dozens of historic vineyard sites across the appellation. The name comes from a local Piedmontese dialect word meaning 'small jar,' a reflection of the naming traditions common to village-level vineyard nomenclature in the Langhe. Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno released the first commercial vintage from this parcel in 2018, establishing Albarella as a recognized single-vineyard source. Notable producers working with this MGA include Borgogno, Andrea Oberto, and Viberti.
- Name derives from Piedmontese dialect for 'small jar'
- First commercial vintage released by Borgogno in 2018
- Classified as an MGA under Barolo DOCG regulations
- Producers include Borgogno, Andrea Oberto, and Viberti
Elegant, structured Barolo with herbal aromatic character, firm tannins from clay soils, and the intensity expected from a south-facing Cannubi-adjacent site. Expect dried roses, tar, herbs, and earthy depth with a backbone built for aging.
- Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno Barolo MGA Albarella$80-120The producer behind Albarella's first commercial vintage in 2018, offering direct expression of this tiny clay-soil site.Find →
- Andrea Oberto Barolo Albarella$70-100One of three documented producers in this MGA, bringing a complementary perspective to this small Cannubi-adjacent parcel.Find →
- Viberti Barolo Albarella$65-95Third notable producer working this MGA, offering a point of comparison across the appellation's smallest recognized crus.Find →
- Albarella is one of the smallest MGAs in Barolo DOCG at just 0.29 hectares
- Located on the western side of the Cannubi hill within the Barolo commune
- Soils are clay dominant, producing structured, tannic Nebbiolo
- First commercial vintage was released by Borgogno in 2018
- Name derives from a Piedmontese dialect word meaning 'small jar'