Az, Agr. Virna Borgogno
(Winery in Langhe, Barolo)

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About Winery and Wines

The village of Barolo is located in the heart of the Langhe, the most prestigious wine-making area in Italy's Piedmont region. The Borgogno family lives and works right here in Barolo, managing their own “Virna” estate.

A descendant of one of the most famous Langhe families, Virna Borgogno is the first woman in Italy to complete a degree in oenology and oenological techniques. In 1988, she joined her father Lodovico in managing the cellar.
The Borgogno vineyards date from 1720, while the modern estate was founded in 1950 by Enrico Borgogno.
Nowadays, Virna and her sister Ivana have taken the reins of the estate wholly in hand, with Ivana looking after the administrative and marketing side of the business. In 2001, the estate was rebranded with the new “Virna” logo to reflect the major role played by women in the business.
The estate comprises about 10 hectares in Barolo’s most prestigious areas; the Cannubi, Sarmassa and Preda vineyards are in Barolo proper, while the estate’s classic Barolo wine «Noi» comes instead from parcels in Novello, Monforte and La Morra townships.  Virna's wines adhere for the most part to the traditional Langa method, with élevage in large oak casks for the Barolo «Noi» and in both large casks and tonneaux for the two Cannubi and Sarmassa crus. In addition to Barolo, the estate produces two Barbera d’Alba wines; one of these, the San Giovanni cru, comes from the Monforte township. The estate also makes Langhe Nebbiolo DOC, a Langhe Bianco with Timorasso grape

BAROLO «Noi»

An assemblage from various terroirs dovetail perfectly to create "Noi”. Following élevage in large oak casks, we obtain a Barolo which is highly characteristic of both the terroir and our own vision–an exhilarating mix of both elegance and power.

Barolo del Comune di Barolo

This Barolo is the result of a blending of the famous Preda and Sarmassa crus located in the Barolo township. Fruit and elegance join power and structure in a Barolo that fuses an intense nose of red berries with notes of chocolate and vanilla to surprise and satisfy. Elevage takes place for 18-24 months in both French tonneaux and large casks.

Barolo Cannubi Boschis/ Cannubi

This wine originates in Barolo’s most famous vineyard. It is justly celebrated because of its position at the juncture of the area's two geological zones: the Tortonian (centring on La Morra, with compact blue-grey marl layered with sand) and the Helvetian (towards Monforte and Serralunga, with more compact grey marl). The mix of these two soil types results in a very elegant wine with heady aromas of flowers and balsam. This is a Barolo of great distinction. Palate follows nose, with flavours bursting forth in perfect harmony leading on to supple tannins and a lingering finish.

Barolo Sarmassa

Sarmassa is a celebrated, south-facing vineyard containing a mix of limestone soil with more compact clay marl. On the nose, Barolo Sarmassa is a well-structured wine with notes of liquorice, tar and tobacco. On the palate it is big and intense, with significant tannins that indicate good potential for ageing (15 years or more). Elevage takes place over two years–partly in large casks and partly in 500-litre tonneaux.

Barolo Riserva

Our Barolo Riserva is a traditional Barolo blend from a selection, in favoured years, of our best vineyards. Its potential to age is excellent. Elevage takes place over three years in oak barrels prior to bottling; the wine is marketed five years after harvest.

’l  Dolcetto d’Alba DOC

 ’l  Doucet, is a term for ‘Dolcetto' in traditional Piedmontese dialect. It is so named because Dolcetto is the quintessence of a local wine, wholly typical of the area and a classic for everyday consumption. Elevage in steel tanks preserves fruit notes of sweet and sour cherry; it has a pleasant lingering finish of red fruit.

la  Barbera d’Alba DOC

This Barbera is called "La” because in Italian, wine is a masculine noun but in contrast, the Barbera variety is feminine in gender. Robust and intensely red, this Barbera is fruit-forward with good body. Our version is multi-faceted, generous and versatile. Harmony is enhanced by a short period in large casks.

il   Langhe Nebbiolo DOC

Conversely our Langhe Nebbiolo is called “Il” and has the elegance and refined nose characteristic of all Nebbiolo wines.  It is brilliant ruby in colour, with delicate fruity aromas of raspberries and violets. Dry and well-integrated with good body, over time our Langhe Nebbiolo becomes smooth and velvety with a lingering finish. Elevage lasts a year in large oak casks.

San Giovanni Barbera d’Alba DOC

This Barbera comes from a vineyard planted more than 40 years ago, providing it with concentrated flavours and excellent structure. Notes of blackberries and ripe cranberries abound; on the palate it remains elegant and powerful, with good potential for ageing. Elevage takes place for 18-24 months in 300-litre French tonneaux.

Sto Fuori Langhe Bianco DOC

Is made solely from Timorasso grape and is cultivated in the Langhe, outside of the classic area of the southeast Piedmont.

The name carries a double sense: “Sto fuori” in the literal sense, meaning outside the classic wine-producing region and also in the colloquial Italian sense of meaning “a little mad”.

Yellow straw color with notes of citrus and flint. Fresh in the mouth, tasty with   lovely touches of mineral and tangy acidity keeps it fresh and bright. It’s a perfect wine to pair with fish, white meat with aromatic herbs and cheese where it reaches its elegance and fragrance.

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