Barolo commune — Roddi

Roddi is an ancient settlement whose origins predate the Roman era, built on the road connecting Alba Pompeia and Pollentia. The Marquises of Monferrato claimed it as a fiefdom during the Middle Ages, and its castle passed through several noble hands, including those linked to the Pico della Mirandola family in the 16th century. In wine terms, Roddi was formally included in the Barolo production zone when the appellation received DOC status in 1966, a boundary unchanged when Barolo was promoted to DOCG in 1980. For much of its recent history Roddi was considered one of Barolo's forgotten villages, a perception that began to shift only when Paolo Scavino made his first single-vineyard Barolo from the Bricco Ambrogio site in 2002.

• Roddi's settlement predates the Roman era, strategically positioned on the ancient road between Alba Pompeia and Pollentia
• Roddi was included in the Barolo production zone at DOC designation in 1966, with that boundary unchanged at DOCG promotion in 1980
• Paolo Scavino's debut single-vineyard Barolo Bricco Ambrogio in 2002 brought new attention to the commune's winemaking potential

Roddi lies in the northern part of the Barolo DOCG zone, situated between Verduno and the town of Alba. Only a portion of the commune falls within the delimited production boundary. Its vineyards occupy hillside positions typical of the Langhe, with Bricco Ambrogio, the commune's sole MGA, located on a majestic hill stretching from southeast to southwest in the southernmost part of the municipality. The soils here belong to the Tortonian Sant'Agata Fossili marl formation, a blue-grey layer of silt and calcareous clays shared with neighboring communes such as Verduno and the eastern half of La Morra. This soil type generally produces more aromatic and relatively earlier-drinking wines compared to the older Serravalian (Helvetian) soils of Serralunga d'Alba and Monforte d'Alba.

• Bricco Ambrogio sits at approximately 275 meters elevation with a south to southeast exposure, maximizing sunlight on its steep slope
• Sant'Agata Fossili marls, blue-grey in color and composed of silt and calcareous clays, define Roddi's soil character and link it stylistically to Verduno and eastern La Morra
• The flat frontal section of Bricco Ambrogio creates excellent sun exposure, contributing to warm, ripe fruit character in the wines

As with all Barolo DOCG production, Roddi's wines are made exclusively from Nebbiolo, the commune's Tortonian marl soils shaping a style that is generally more approachable and fruit-forward than Nebbiolo grown on the harder Serravalian soils of the zone's eastern communes. Wines from Bricco Ambrogio tend to show floral and red fruit aromas, with velvety tannins and good concentration. Nebbiolo from Roddi is harvested by hand, typically after the 10th of October, consistent with the late-ripening nature of the variety across the DOCG.

• 100% Nebbiolo is required under Barolo DOCG regulations; Roddi's Sant'Agata Fossili marls encourage a more fragrant, fruit-forward expression
• Bricco Ambrogio wines display floral blue flower, red fruit and spice aromatics with velvety, close-grained tannins
• Hand harvesting typically takes place after 10 October given Nebbiolo's late-ripening character in the Langhe

Given that Bricco Ambrogio is Roddi's only recognized MGA, the producer landscape is naturally compact. Paolo Scavino, based in Castiglione Falletto, is the most prominent name associated with Roddi: the estate first produced a single-vineyard Bricco Ambrogio in 2002 and holds the dominant share of the cru. Bruna Grimaldi, a family estate with roots between Grinzane Cavour and Serralunga d'Alba, also produces a highly regarded Barolo Bricco Ambrogio from parcels it acquired in 2006. Lodali is another producer with vineyards in the cru. Comm. G. B. Burlotto of Verduno also holds vineyard land in the Roddi commune, though planted to varieties other than Nebbiolo for DOCG purposes.

• Paolo Scavino pioneered single-vineyard Barolo from Roddi with his Bricco Ambrogio, first released in 2002, and holds the majority of the cru
• Bruna Grimaldi purchased its Bricco Ambrogio parcel in 2006 and produces a well-regarded cru Barolo aged in large Slavonian oak casks and French tonneaux
• Lodali is a further producer sourcing from Bricco Ambrogio, demonstrating the cru's appeal to multiple quality-focused estates

Roddi falls within the Barolo DOCG, which received DOC recognition in 1966 and was elevated to DOCG status in 1980. All Barolo produced here must be 100% Nebbiolo and must age for a minimum of 38 months from 1 November of the harvest year, of which at least 18 months must be spent in wooden barrels. For Barolo Riserva, a minimum of 62 months of total aging is required. Bricco Ambrogio is the only officially registered MGA (Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva) in the commune of Roddi. MGA labeling was introduced with the 2010 vintage. Barolo does not have a formal vineyard classification analogous to Burgundy's Grand Cru or Premier Cru system; all 181 MGAs across the DOCG are formally equal in regulatory standing.

• Barolo DOCG requires 100% Nebbiolo, with a minimum of 38 months aging (18 months in barrel) before release
• Bricco Ambrogio is Roddi's sole authorized MGA under the system introduced with the 2010 vintage
• No formal hierarchy ranks MGAs against one another; all 181 MGAs across the DOCG are legally equal in classification

Roddi is a quietly charming Langhe village, sitting roughly halfway between Alba and Verduno, with a medieval character largely intact. Its 11th-century castle dominates the hill and is state-owned since 2001; today it houses a truffle cooking school with professional kitchen facilities within its former stables. The village is also home to the Truffle Dog University, founded in 1880 and the only institution in the world dedicated to training truffle-hunting dogs, a fitting feature given the Langhe's celebrated white truffle season in autumn. The surrounding Langhe and Roero landscape was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. Visitors can explore walking and cycling trails connecting Roddi to neighboring communes, with local restaurants offering traditional Piedmontese cuisine.

• Roddi Castle, dating to the 11th century and state-owned since 2001, now hosts a truffle cooking school within its historic walls
• The Truffle Dog University, founded in 1880 by Antonio Monchiero, makes Roddi uniquely famous in the Langhe beyond wine
• The surrounding Langhe, Roero and Monferrato landscape was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, adding cultural prestige to the village's setting