Damiano
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A historically documented Serralunga d'Alba MGA with roots stretching to 1694, delivering powerful, mineral-driven Barolo from ancient limestone-rich soils.
Damiano is a Barolo MGA in Serralunga d'Alba, Piedmont, documented in historical records dating to May 30, 1694. The vineyard sits on Serravallian and Helvetian limestone-rich clay marl with sand, producing structured, mineral Nebbiolo with dark cherry, sage, and herbal character. Giovanni Rosso is the notable producer working this site.
- Barolo MGA (Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva) located in Serralunga d'Alba
- Historically documented since May 30, 1694, making it one of the oldest recorded vineyard sites in the commune
- Sole grape variety: Nebbiolo
- Soils are Serravallian and Helvetian limestone-rich clay marl with sand, typical of Serralunga d'Alba
- Continental climate with significant diurnal range; autumn fog slows ripening and preserves aromatics
- Wine style is structured, mineral, and powerful with dark cherry, sage, rosemary, and oregano notes
- Giovanni Rosso is the notable producer associated with this MGA
History and Classification
Damiano carries one of the longest paper trails of any vineyard in Serralunga d'Alba. Historical documents dated May 30, 1694 record the site by name, placing it among the most historically significant vineyard areas in the commune. Today, Damiano holds official recognition as a Barolo MGA under the Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva system, which was codified to protect and celebrate the most distinct single-vineyard sites within the Barolo DOCG. Producers who meet the required standards may label wines with the MGA name, giving drinkers a clear geographic reference point for what is in the bottle.
- First documented May 30, 1694, among Serralunga d'Alba's oldest recorded crus
- Classified as a Barolo MGA under the Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva framework
- Located within the Barolo DOCG, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy
Terroir and Climate
Serralunga d'Alba is famous for its compact, ancient Helvetian and Serravallian soils, and Damiano shares this geological identity. The limestone-rich clay marl with sand produces wines of pronounced structure and mineral tension, requiring extended aging to show their full depth. These soils are notably younger in geological terms than those found in communes such as La Morra or Barolo, and they tend to produce Nebbiolo with firmer tannins and greater longevity. The continental climate brings significant diurnal temperature variation between warm days and cool nights. Autumn fog is a defining feature of the Langhe, slowing ripening and allowing the grapes to develop complex aromatic compounds while retaining freshness and acidity.
- Serravallian and Helvetian limestone-rich clay marl with sand
- Continental climate with marked diurnal temperature swings
- Autumn fog slows ripening and preserves aromatics in Nebbiolo
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Nebbiolo from Damiano reflects the broader Serralunga d'Alba typicity: structured, powerful, and mineral rather than immediately approachable. Characteristic aromatic notes include dark cherry, dried herbs such as sage, rosemary, and oregano, and the underlying iron-tinged minerality that the calcareous soils impart. Tannins are firm and well-defined, and the wines reward patience in the cellar. Giovanni Rosso is the producer currently recognized for working this MGA, bringing careful viticulture and winemaking attention to one of the commune's historically rooted sites.
- Structured, powerful Barolo with dark cherry and herbal character
- Minerality driven by limestone-rich Serravallian and Helvetian soils
- Firm tannins typical of Serralunga d'Alba demand cellaring
- Giovanni Rosso is the notable producer for this MGA
Dark cherry, dried sage, rosemary, and oregano on the nose, underpinned by iron-tinged minerality. The palate is structured and powerful with firm, well-defined tannins, bright acidity, and a long, mineral finish typical of Serralunga d'Alba Barolo.
- Giovanni Rosso Barolo Damiano MGA$60-90The reference bottling from Damiano, showcasing Serralunga's structured, mineral Nebbiolo from this historically documented cru.Find →
- Damiano is a Barolo MGA in Serralunga d'Alba, first documented in historical records on May 30, 1694
- Soils are Serravallian and Helvetian limestone-rich clay marl with sand, producing structured, mineral Nebbiolo
- Serralunga d'Alba MGAs are known for firm tannins and longevity compared to more immediately approachable communes like La Morra
- Autumn fog in the Langhe is a key climate feature, slowing ripening and preserving aromatics
- Giovanni Rosso is the notable producer associated with the Damiano MGA