Cerrati

Cerrati sits within the commune of Serralunga d'Alba, one of the five core villages of the Barolo DOCG and the one most associated with power and longevity in Nebbiolo. The vineyard covers just 4 hectares at elevations between 260 and 400 meters above sea level, with south and south-east facing slopes that deliver excellent sun exposure through the long growing season. The soils are shallow and chalky/clayey, dominated by white tufa stone, a characteristic of the Helvetian geological formation that defines much of Serralunga d'Alba. This combination of aspect, elevation, and soil type creates conditions that push Nebbiolo toward firm tannins, pronounced acidity, and deep mineral character.

• Commune: Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo DOCG
• Area: 4 hectares
• Elevation: 260 to 400 meters above sea level
• Soil: Shallow, chalky/clayey with white tufa stone

Cerrati carries a distinguished historical record. Renato Ratti included it in his landmark 1971 Carta del Barolo, the first systematic attempt to map and rank Barolo's individual vineyards, identifying it as a superior site for Nebbiolo. Slow Food reinforced this standing in its 1990 Wine Atlas of the Langhe. The vineyard was historically owned by the Cappellano family in the early twentieth century, then passed to the Stroppiana brothers in 1966. Despite its documented quality, Cerrati fell into a prolonged period of neglect. The Rossi Cairo family acquired the site in 2015 through their estate Tenuta Cucco, initiating the vineyard's revival and bringing its wines back to market under the Cerrati and Vigna Cucco names.

• Listed in Renato Ratti's 1971 Carta del Barolo as a top-quality site
• Recognized again in Slow Food's 1990 Wine Atlas of the Langhe
• Historically owned by the Cappellano family, then the Stroppiana brothers from 1966
• Acquired and revived by the Rossi Cairo family via Tenuta Cucco in 2015

Cerrati produces a textbook expression of the Serralunga d'Alba style: powerful, structured, and built for the long term. The shallow tufa-rich soils stress the vines and concentrate flavors, while the south-facing aspect ensures full phenolic ripeness even in cooler vintages. Expect forceful tannins, bright acidity, and a mineral backbone that runs through every pour. Black cherry and dried herb notes define the aromatic profile, underpinned by the earthy, iron-tinged character that Serralunga d'Alba is known for. These are wines that reward patience, typically requiring several years in bottle before showing their best.

• Powerful, structured, and mineral-driven in typical Serralunga d'Alba fashion
• Aromatic profile of black cherry, dried herbs, and earthy mineral notes
• High tannin and acidity require extended cellaring for full development
• Exclusive production by Tenuta Cucco under Cerrati and Vigna Cucco labels

Cerrati holds MGA status, the Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva designation introduced within the Barolo DOCG to formally recognize individual vineyard sites of distinct geographic and qualitative character. An MGA name may appear on the label when the wine is produced entirely from grapes grown within that single vineyard. This system, codified in 2010 and expanded in subsequent revisions, brought official recognition to sites that had long been acknowledged informally by producers and critics. Cerrati's inclusion reflects both its historical pedigree, documented as far back as 1971, and the quality of wines it is capable of producing under attentive management.