Cappallotto
cap-pa-LOT-to
A Serralunga d'Alba MGA delivering the commune's signature power and mineral austerity from southwest-facing limestone-marl soils.
Cappallotto is a Barolo DOCG MGA in Serralunga d'Alba, producing structured, mineral Nebbiolo from Helvetian limestone marl. The site sits at 300-400m elevation on a southwest-facing slope, yielding wines of considerable tannic grip and aging potential. Tenuta Cappallotto, established in 1959 by the Lanzavecchia family, is the defining estate.
- Classified as one of 181 Barolo DOCG MGAs recognized in 2011
- Located in Serralunga d'Alba, the commune synonymous with Barolo's most powerful, long-lived expressions
- Southwest-facing aspect at 300-400m elevation
- Soils are Helvetian/Serravallian limestone marl with quartz, the classic Serralunga geology
- Exclusively planted to Nebbiolo
- Tenuta Cappallotto estate established 1959 by the Lanzavecchia family
- Also known as Sorì Cappallotto; adjacent MGAs include Paradiso, Lazzarito, and Meriame
Location and Geography
Cappallotto sits within Serralunga d'Alba, the easternmost of Barolo's core communes and the one most associated with tannic authority and extended cellaring requirements. The vineyard occupies a southwest-facing slope at elevations between 300 and 400 meters, a position that maximizes afternoon sun exposure while the broader continental climate provides the significant diurnal temperature range that preserves aromatic complexity in Nebbiolo. Autumn fog, a defining feature of the Langhe, tempers ripening in the final weeks of the season.
- Commune: Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo DOCG
- Elevation: 300-400m above sea level
- Aspect: Southwest-facing
- Climate: Continental with autumn fog and diurnal temperature variation
Soils and Terroir
The soils at Cappallotto are Helvetian in origin, dating to the Serravallian stage of the Miocene epoch. This compact, calcareous marl contains quartz and is the defining geological signature of Serralunga d'Alba. These soils are notably harder and less fertile than the Tortonian soils found in communes like La Morra and Barolo, which forces the vine to work deeply and produces wines with the firm tannic structure and mineral spine that distinguish Serralunga Barolo from the rest of the denomination.
- Soil type: Limestone marl of sedimentary origin with quartz
- Geological period: Helvetian/Serravallian (Miocene)
- Compact, nutrient-poor structure drives deep root development
- Same geological origin as neighboring MGAs Lazzarito and Meriame
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Open Wine Lookup →Producers and History
Cappallotto was formally recognized among the 181 Barolo MGAs when the MGA system was codified in 2011, giving official geographic identity to a site that had been cultivated for decades. The Tenuta Cappallotto estate, founded in 1959 by the Lanzavecchia family, is the principal producer associated with the site. The estate also works with the adjacent Paradiso, Lazzarito, and Meriame MGAs within Serralunga d'Alba. The estate is also referenced under the Villadoria name. The alternate designation Sorì Cappallotto references the traditional Piedmontese term sorì, indicating a particularly well-exposed hillside position.
- MGA officially recognized in 2011 under the Barolo DOCG classification
- Tenuta Cappallotto founded 1959 by the Lanzavecchia family
- Adjacent MGAs: Paradiso, Lazzarito, Meriame
- Alternate name: Sorì Cappallotto; also associated with Villadoria
Powerful and austere Nebbiolo with high tannin and firm acidity. Expect dark cherry, dried violet, truffle, incense, and iron-tinged mineral notes. The wine demands extended aging before the tannins resolve into the complex, tertiary profile characteristic of great Serralunga Barolo.
- Tenuta Cappallotto / Villadoria Barolo Cappallotto$45-75The defining estate of this MGA, farmed since 1959 from classic Serralunga limestone-marl soils.Find →
- Cappallotto is a Barolo DOCG MGA in Serralunga d'Alba, recognized in 2011 as one of 181 MGAs
- Soils are Helvetian/Serravallian limestone marl with quartz, the geology associated with Serralunga's powerful, tannic style
- Southwest aspect at 300-400m; continental climate with fog and strong diurnal range
- The term Sorì in the alternate name Sorì Cappallotto denotes a well-exposed hillside in Piedmontese dialect
- Tenuta Cappallotto, founded 1959 by the Lanzavecchia family, is the key estate; adjacent MGAs include Paradiso, Lazzarito, and Meriame