Fossati

Fossati sits across the communal boundary of both Barolo and La Morra, two of the five core villages of the Barolo DOCG. The vineyard is compact, covering just 3.2 to 4 hectares, making it one of the smaller MGAs in the appellation. Elevations range considerably from 290 to 480 meters, creating meaningful variation in microclimate across the site. The south-southeast facing aspect ensures consistent sunlight throughout the growing season, a critical factor for Nebbiolo to achieve full phenolic ripeness in this temperate continental climate.

• Crosses the boundary between Barolo and La Morra communes
• One of the smaller MGAs in the appellation at 3.2 to 4 hectares
• Wide elevation range from 290 to 480 meters creates internal microclimate variation
• South-southeast aspect supports reliable Nebbiolo ripening

The soils at Fossati are calcareous and clayey marl with a sandy component, a profile common to many Barolo MGAs but with site-specific characteristics that shape the wine's style. These sedimentary soils originated approximately 6 to 10 million years ago through sedimentation from the ancient Padano sea, the same geological process responsible for the Tortonian and Helvetian marls found across the Langhe. The sandy fraction in Fossati's soils tends to promote earlier drainage and can contribute to the more aromatic, floral expression typically associated with La Morra-influenced sites.

• Calcareous clay-marl with sandy composition
• Formed through Padano sea sedimentation 6 to 10 million years ago
• Sandy fraction aids drainage and supports aromatic wine character
• Sedimentary geology shared with other Tortonian-era Barolo sites

Fossati has a documented winemaking history that predates its official recognition. Dosio Vigneti produced the first labeled single-vineyard Barolo from Fossati in 1986, establishing a record for the site well before the broader MGA system formalized individual vineyard mentions in 2010. The MGA classification, introduced through updates to the Barolo DOCG disciplinare, gave producers the right to indicate specific vineyard names on labels, lending institutional weight to sites like Fossati that had already demonstrated individual character. This history underscores the longstanding recognition among local growers of Fossati's distinct terroir.

• First single-vineyard Fossati Barolo produced by Dosio in 1986
• MGA designation officially introduced in 2010
• MGA system formalized individual vineyard labeling rights across Barolo
• Pre-designation bottlings confirm the site's historical reputation

Fossati is planted exclusively to Nebbiolo, as required throughout the Barolo DOCG. The wines produced here tend toward the elegant, floral end of the Barolo spectrum, with red fruit prominence and a finesse that reflects both the site's partial La Morra influence and its sandy marl soils. Notable producers working with Fossati fruit include Dosio Vigneti, Borgogno, Roberto Voerzio, Enzo Boglietti, Cesare Bussolo, Lapo Berti, and Gianni Gagliardo. The combination of a south-southeast aspect and the site's elevation range allows producers to achieve consistent ripeness while retaining the aromatic complexity and structure expected of serious Barolo.

• Exclusively planted to Nebbiolo per DOCG regulations
• Style leans toward floral, elegant, and red fruit-driven Barolo
• Seven notable producers with documented Fossati bottlings
• Roberto Voerzio and Borgogno among the most internationally recognized names