Ciocchini

Ciocchini sits on the western slope of the Barolo production zone, straddling the communal boundaries of La Morra and Novello. This makes it one of the cross-commune MGAs within the appellation, a relatively uncommon designation. The vineyard spans elevations from 210 to 400 meters and faces west to southwest, capturing afternoon sun during the growing season. The terrain here is notably gentler than many Barolo MGAs, with shallower gradients that allow for deeper, more evolved soils to develop over time.

The soils at Ciocchini are Tortonian in origin, meaning they belong to the younger geological sequence found across La Morra and much of the western Barolo zone. These calcareous marls are less compact than the older Helvetian soils of communes like Serralunga d'Alba, and the gentler slopes allow greater soil depth and water retention. The climate is continental, with warm summers and cool, foggy autumns strongly influenced by the proximity of the Alps. This fog, the famous nebbia for which Nebbiolo is named, moderates ripening and helps preserve aromatic complexity in the finished wines.

• Tortonian marls: younger, more calcareous than Helvetian soils
• Deeper, more evolved soils due to gentler slope gradients
• Continental climate with Alpine fog influence in autumn
• West to southwest aspect provides afternoon warmth

Barolo from Ciocchini reflects the broader La Morra character associated with Tortonian soils: elegant, perfumed, and approachable earlier than wines from the more austere eastern communes. Aromatic profiles lean toward red fruit and floral notes alongside spice, and the structure shows a balance of acidity and tannin without the grip typical of Serralunga or Castiglione Falletto. The gentler terrain and deeper soils contribute to a rounder texture while retaining the mineral backbone that defines all serious Barolo.

Ciocchini received official recognition as a Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva (MGA) from the 2010 vintage, as part of the broader codification of Barolo's 181 MGAs by the Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani. The MGA system formalized longstanding local knowledge of distinct vineyard sites, giving producers the right to name the specific cru on the label. Ciocchini is also known under the alternate name Ciocchini-Loschetto, a reflection of the composite naming conventions used for some cross-commune or historically blended site designations.