Gabutti

Gabutti sits on the western flank of Serralunga d'Alba's iconic ridge, forming part of an amphitheater-shaped cluster of vineyards. The MGA spans 14.24 hectares at elevations between 240 and 350 meters, with aspects ranging from south and south-west to west. This orientation delivers strong sun exposure throughout the growing season while the continental climate, moderated by Alpine cooling influence, ensures significant diurnal temperature variation. Warm days build phenolic ripeness in Nebbiolo; cool nights preserve the acidity that defines Serralunga's age-worthy style.

• Part of a natural amphitheater on Serralunga's western ridge
• Elevation range of 240-350 meters with south, south-west, and west aspects
• Continental climate with Alpine cooling and strong day-to-night temperature swings
• Exclusively planted with Nebbiolo, as required for Barolo production

The soils of Gabutti belong to the Lequio Formation, a geological unit composed of calcareous-clay marls dating to the Langhian Stage of the Miocene Epoch. This limestone-rich substrate is characteristic of Serralunga d'Alba and is associated with wines of exceptional structure and longevity. The compact, nutrient-poor nature of these soils forces vine roots to penetrate deeply, concentrating flavors and contributing to the mineral character that distinguishes Gabutti wines from those of Barolo's other communes.

• Lequio Formation soils: calcareous-clay marls from the Miocene Epoch
• Limestone-rich composition drives deep root penetration and mineral expression
• Compact, low-fertility soils are shared across much of Serralunga d'Alba
• Contrasts with the Tortonian-era Helvetian soils of La Morra and Barolo communes

Gabutti's reputation predates the formal MGA system. Renato Ratti, the influential Barolo producer and historian, classified the site as a first-class sub-zone in his pioneering vineyard map of the zone. That recognition was formalized when Italy established the 181 Barolo MGAs in 2010, giving producers the right to cite Gabutti on the label. The site also carries a distinctive viticultural legacy: it contains ungrafted Nebbiolo vines of historical importance. Cappellano's celebrated Barolo Piè Franco is produced from ungrafted vines planted at Gabutti in 1989, making it one of the very few ungrafted Nebbiolo bottlings in all of Piedmont.

• Classified as a first-class sub-zone by Renato Ratti prior to the MGA system
• Officially designated as an MGA in 2010 under the Barolo DOCG regulations
• Cappellano's Piè Franco is made from ungrafted vines planted in 1989
• Ungrafted vines at Gabutti represent a rare surviving pre-phylloxera viticultural tradition

Several respected estates farm Gabutti and bottle it as a single-vineyard MGA. Cappellano is the most internationally recognized name, drawing attention for the Piè Franco bottling from ungrafted vines. Boasso, Giovanni Sordo, and Massolino all produce Gabutti-designated Barolo, each offering a different lens on the vineyard's character. Massolino is among the most established names in Serralunga and brings considerable cellar experience to the site. Together these producers demonstrate both the traditional long-maceration and the more modern approaches to Serralunga Nebbiolo.

• Cappellano: producer of the rare Barolo Piè Franco from ungrafted vines
• Massolino: one of Serralunga's most established estates with Gabutti holdings
• Boasso and Giovanni Sordo round out the key MGA bottlings from this vineyard
• Styles range from traditional extended maceration to more contemporary approaches