Costabella

Costabella sits on the western slopes of the Serralunga d'Alba ridge, one of the most prestigious communes in the Barolo DOCG. The vineyard faces south to south-southeast, a highly favorable orientation that ensures consistent ripening for Nebbiolo, a variety that demands long, warm growing seasons to fully develop. The name Costabella, meaning 'beautiful slope' in Italian, speaks to the site's natural character as much as its reputation.

• Western slope position on the Serralunga d'Alba ridge
• South to south-southeast aspect for maximum solar exposure
• Shares the broader Serralunga ridge geography with acclaimed MGAs such as Carpegna

The soils at Costabella are Sant'Agata Fossili Marls, a compact, calcareous clay marl formation that defines much of the Serralunga d'Alba commune. These soils are notably poor in nutrients and high in limestone content, forcing Nebbiolo vines to develop deep root systems in search of water and minerals. The result is concentrated fruit character combined with firm tannins and pronounced acidity, traits that form the structural foundation of Serralunga-style Barolo. Costabella's particular expression within this geological framework tends toward elegance and floral lift rather than the severe austerity found in some neighboring sites.

• Sant'Agata Fossili Marls are calcareous, compact clay marls
• Nutrient-poor soils drive deep root development in Nebbiolo
• High limestone content contributes to the structural backbone of the wines
• Costabella shows a more refined, floral character compared to neighboring Carpegna

Barolo from Costabella stands out within Serralunga d'Alba for its pronounced elegance and floral character. While Serralunga as a commune is known for producing some of the most structured, long-lived Barolo, Costabella introduces a more lifted, refined dimension. Expect vibrant rose petal and violet aromatics, red cherry and dried berry fruit, with underlying notes of tar, licorice, and dried herbs as the wines develop. The tannins are present and firm but feel more refined than the full austerity associated with sites like Carpegna directly next door. These wines reward cellaring but show relative approachability earlier in their development arc.

• Floral aromatics, particularly rose petal and violet, define the nose
• Red fruit character with classic Serralunga structure and firm acidity
• Less austere tannin profile than neighboring Carpegna MGA
• Tar, licorice, and dried herb complexity develops with bottle age

Three producers have established a meaningful presence in Costabella. Luigi Baudana, a historic Serralunga estate now managed under the Vajra family umbrella, brings precision and a traditional sensibility to the site. Giovanni Rosso is another respected Serralunga producer with a focus on single-vineyard expression, while Cascina Bruni rounds out the roster. Together these estates offer a useful cross-section of interpretations, from more classic extended maceration styles to more modern approaches, all working with the same distinctive marls and aspect.

• Luigi Baudana, historic Serralunga estate now under Vajra family management
• Giovanni Rosso, specialist in single-MGA Barolo expressions from Serralunga
• Cascina Bruni, a smaller producer contributing to the vineyard's documented output