Castellizzano

Castellizzano sits within the commune of Treiso, one of three communes permitted to produce Barbaresco DOCG alongside Alba and Barbaresco itself. The vineyard occupies a gently sloping, almost flat position that looks toward the neighboring commune of Neive. At just 1.20 hectares, it ranks among the smallest MGAs in the entire Barbaresco appellation. The terrain benefits from a mild maritime influence associated with the area south of the Tanaro river, moderating temperatures and contributing to the freshness that characterizes wines from this site.

• Commune: Treiso, one of three Barbaresco DOCG communes
• South-easterly aspect facing toward Neive
• Gently sloping to near-flat topography
• Maritime-influenced microclimate from proximity to the Tanaro river

The soils at Castellizzano are described as reddish in color, composed of a mixture of sand, silt, and clay underlain by calcareous marl. This soil profile is characteristic of the Treiso area and plays a direct role in shaping the structure and aromatic complexity of the Nebbiolo grown here. The calcareous component supports acidity and finesse in the finished wine, while the clay fraction contributes body and depth. The relatively gentle relief means less erosion and more uniform soil expression across the vineyard.

• Reddish soils: sand, silt, and clay composition
• Calcareous marl subsoil
• Soil profile supports acidity, structure, and aromatic lift in Nebbiolo

Castellizzano was formally recognized as a Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva in 2007, when Barbaresco became the first wine in Italy to receive this geographic subzone classification. The system established 66 MGAs across the Barbaresco DOCG, providing producers with the ability to indicate a specific vineyard or subzone on the label. This was a landmark moment for Italian wine classification, predating similar movements in other appellations and reflecting the long-held understanding among local growers that individual sites within Barbaresco produce wines of distinct and identifiable character.

• MGA status granted: 2007
• Barbaresco was Italy's first DOCG to receive MGA classification
• 66 MGAs approved across the Barbaresco DOCG
• MGA designation allows producers to name the vineyard subzone on the label

Castellizzano produces red wines from Nebbiolo that display an intense ruby red color with garnet reflections. The aromatic profile is complex, offering notes of coffee, cocoa, and ripe red fruits. On the palate, wines show good structure with soft tannins and lively acidity, a combination that speaks to the south-easterly aspect and the freshness imparted by the site's maritime-influenced climate. The almost flat terrain generates wines described as noble and austere, with great personality. These are classic Barbaresco expressions that reward patience in the cellar.

Pertinace is the primary producer associated with Castellizzano. Based in Treiso, Pertinace is a cooperative winery with a strong track record across several Treiso MGAs. The estate's work in Castellizzano represents one of the few opportunities to experience this micro-vineyard as a single-site bottling, making it an important reference point for understanding the character of this small but distinctive parcel within the Barbaresco DOCG.