Elvio Cogno

Elvio Cogno established his estate in 1990 after departing from Marcarini winery, setting up on an 18th-century farmhouse property in Novello. The Cogno family brings four generations of winemaking history in Piedmont to this project. The first Nebbiolo harvest came in 1991, and the inaugural Barolo Ravera was released in 1995, making it one of the earliest Barolos to carry a specific vineyard or terroir name on the label. Elvio handed the reins to his daughter Nadia and her husband Valter Fissore in 1996, and the duo has since elevated the estate's profile and deepened its commitment to the Ravera cru.

• Founded 1990; first Nebbiolo harvest 1991; first Barolo Ravera released 1995
• One of the first producers to use a menzione geografica on a Barolo label
• Transitioned to second-generation management under Nadia Cogno and Valter Fissore in 1996
• UNESCO 'La Fabbrica nel Paesaggio' award received in 2012

Elvio Cogno farms approximately 15 hectares, the majority situated within the Ravera MGA (Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva) in the Novello commune. With 9.5 to 11.5 hectares in Ravera, the estate is the single most important producer of that cru. Vineyards sit at roughly 420 meters above sea level on limestone clay soils, a combination that contributes both structure and mineral precision to the wines. The continental climate, with its significant diurnal temperature variation, plays a central role in retaining acidity and developing aromatic complexity in Nebbiolo.

• Largest single holder in Ravera MGA with 9.5 to 11.5 hectares
• Limestone clay soils at approximately 420 meters elevation
• Continental climate with high diurnal variation; essential for Nebbiolo ripening
• Grapes grown: Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, and the rare local white Nascetta

Elvio Cogno's approach is rooted in traditional Barolo winemaking. Fermentations are long and spontaneous, relying on native yeasts, and aging takes place in large Slavonian oak barrels with minimal use of new oak. This method prioritizes terroir expression over oaky influence, producing wines described as elegant and balanced. Organic practices are employed throughout the vineyards, reflecting a broader commitment to expressing the land honestly.

• Long spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts
• Aged in large barrels; minimal new oak used
• Organic viticulture across the estate
• Style emphasizes elegance, balance, and terroir over extracted power

The estate produces four Barolo DOCG bottlings. Cascina Nuova is the entry-level cuvée offering a broader expression of the appellation. Ravera represents the flagship, showcasing the estate's home cru at its most complete. Bricco Pernice comes from a single high-elevation parcel within Ravera, adding further complexity and site specificity. Vigna Elena Riserva, made from a specific Nebbiolo Rosé clone, rounds out the lineup as the estate's most age-worthy wine. Total production sits at approximately 80,000 bottles per year.

• Cascina Nuova: entry-level Barolo DOCG
• Ravera: flagship single-vineyard Barolo from the estate's primary MGA
• Bricco Pernice: high-elevation single-parcel bottling within Ravera
• Vigna Elena Riserva: made from Nebbiolo Rosé clone; the estate's top riserva

Elvio Cogno has been named Wine and Spirits Magazine Winery of the Year four times within a six-year span, a remarkable consistency of recognition for a modestly sized estate. The 2012 UNESCO award 'La Fabbrica nel Paesaggio' acknowledged the estate's harmonious integration into the Piedmont landscape, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. By championing the Ravera cru from its earliest days, Elvio Cogno played a direct role in establishing Ravera's reputation as one of Barolo's most compelling MGAs.

• Wine and Spirits Magazine Winery of the Year four times in six years
• UNESCO 'La Fabbrica nel Paesaggio' award in 2012
• Pioneer in promoting single-vineyard (MGA) labeling in Barolo
• Instrumental in establishing Ravera's reputation as a top-tier Barolo cru