Vineyards
Discover our vineyards, where passion for wine intertwines with the beauty of nature. Immersed in the Piedmont hills, our vineyards offer a unique terroir that gives character and quality to our fine wines.
Il Cavaliere Vineyard
The "Il Cavaliere" vineyard is one of the largest Ruchè vineyards in the production area, covering an area of 2.13 hectares. It was planted in 1997 on the southern slope between Portacomaro and Scurzolengo, at an altitude of 260 meters, following the curves of the hill. The clay soil with limestone layers retains water, making the soil poor but ideal for vines. Thanks to the south exposure and altitude, the vineyard captures solar energy, producing concentrated and elegant wines.
Bricco Alto Vineyard
The Bricco Alto Vineyard is the heart of the company's production, planted in 1980 by Giuseppe Cavallero. It was the first Ruchè vineyard to exceed one hectare in a single area. It is located to the east-northeast, between 210 and 250 meters above sea level, with predominantly fine clay, sand, limestone, and gypsum soil. This vineyard is crucial for the drying of the grapes, thanks to its eastern part, which favors the production of a few clusters of grapes perfect for drying.
Nebbiolo Il Cavaliere Vineyard
This vineyard was initially planted with Grignolino vines in 2001 but was later converted by grafting with Nebbiolo vines. It is located in a dominant south-facing position, ideal for grape ripening, and is well protected by the hill from cold winters and north-west winds. The microclimate here is excellent for vine cultivation. This vineyard is one of the first Nebbiolo vineyards planted in Monferrato and received DOC designation in 2019 with the superior mention. It represents the strength of the territory, and its exceptional characteristics favor natural organic cultivation, with few fungal disease problems.
Bricco Basso Vineyard
The Bricco Basso vineyard is located a short distance from the Bricco Alto vineyard but has significantly different soil. It is south-facing, at an altitude of 230 meters, and the soil is cooler due to a higher amount of clay bound to limestone. The water is primarily retained by the silicates of the clays, and the drainage is favored by the slope. The proximity between Bricco Alto and Bricco Basso is minimal, but this highlights the differences between the two soils: Bricco Basso is more compact and offers a round and juicy wine with warm notes of dark fruit, while Bricco Alto is looser and leaner, producing a longer, vertical, and mineral wine. This vineyard is essential for the production of our "Na Vota" wine.
Ca’ du Gidio Vineyard
The Ca' du Gidio vineyard is a flat area north of the estate with excellent sun exposure. The soil, rich in clay, siliceous sand, and gypsum, gives Ruchè the characteristic aroma of rose and pepper. This vineyard is known for significantly contributing to the production of our "Na Vota" wine, thanks to the fragrance of the red pulp and its distinctive scent.
Mezzena Vineyard
The Mezzena Vineyard is the heart of the company's production, planted in 1980 by Giuseppe Cavallero. It was the first Ruchè vineyard to exceed one hectare in a single area. It is located to the east-northeast, between 210 and 250 meters above sea level, with predominantly fine clay, sand, limestone, and gypsum soil. This vineyard is crucial for the drying of the grapes, thanks to its eastern part, which favors the production of a few clusters of grapes perfect for drying.
Piatin Vineyard
The Piatin Vineyard is a place tied to the history of the Cavallero Family, the closest to the ancient farmhouse. This vineyard, facing east-northeast between 210 and 250 meters above sea level, has soil composed mainly of fine clay, sand, calcium carbonate, and gypsum. It is of great importance for the production of the "’Na Vota" wine.
Pratolongo Vineyard
In 1963, the Cavallero family acquired this small but beautiful vineyard of 2500 square meters in the flat area east of the company. This vineyard offers a spectacular view of the valley with Monte Rosa in the distance. The exceptional microclimate, characterized by a light morning breeze, ensures the health of the plants, making the vineyard naturally spontaneous. The soil, of Miocene Tortonian origin, is composed of gray-blue marl rich in calcium and manganese, creating the marls of Sant'Agata. The grapes from this vineyard, along with those from the Piatin vineyard, are essential for the "’Na Vota" wine.
Riesling Vineyard
The Vineyards of Ropolo
Ropolo was a friendly guy from Scurzolengo. He had a small plot of land next to one of our properties. In the early '90s, he told us he wanted to give up his land and offered it to my family in exchange for a lifetime supply of wine. So, for the years that followed, right up until his passing, we provided him with a few bottles from his own land.
The vineyard faces east-northeast, with a nice sequence of regular rows, well-ventilated and well-organized, sitting at an altitude between 210 and 250 meters above sea level. The soil is mostly fine clays, with sand, calcium carbonate, and a significant presence of gypsum. Because of the vineyard's exposure and altitude, we thought it would be perfect for growing grape varieties typically suited to colder climates, ideal for white wines. Riesling Renano has shown good adaptability to this land, and we’re hopeful it will bring us great results in the coming years.
Timorasso Vineyard
San Biagio Timorasso Derthona Vineyard
Timorasso is a native grape variety from the Tortona Hills, perfect for light, clayey, and calcareous soils. This vineyard, located in the San Biagio area of Castellania, the hometown of Fausto Coppi, offers the ideal setting. The sunny, sheltered exposures allow for optimal grape ripening. This grape variety is deeply rooted in its homeland and shows limited adaptability to different climates. Today, Timorasso is a gem in the Piedmont wine scene, known for its extraordinary aging potential, which is rare in a region famous for its red wines. Timorasso stands out for its unique aromatic profile, bringing both elegance and strength to the wine.
Alta Langa Vineyard
Praeclara
Alta Langa refers to the hills with the highest elevations. What really makes this area special is the altitude, which can reach up to 900 meters above sea level. This particular vineyard, about 6,000 square meters, sits at 460 meters above sea level in the town of Montabone, facing south. The soil is rich in marl, limestone, and clay, with a cool microclimate in summer and quite harsh winters. This mix of elements decreases the fertility of the vines but also enhances and strengthens the complexity of the wines. These conditions make for the perfect base for Alta Langa DOCG Metodo Classico wines, which can express their unique character and improve over time during the long fermentation in the bottle.
Barolo Vineyard
Bussia Vineyard
Bussia is the historic cru of Monforte d'Alba, one of the most prestigious in the Barolo region. With about 190 hectares of vineyards, it’s the largest in Monforte and is divided into Bussia Sottana and Bussia Soprana, with altitudes ranging from 210 to 460 meters above sea level. Around 5 hectares are dedicated to our wine, producing Nebbiolo for Barolo. The winery focuses on producing Barolo DOCG, with a strong emphasis on quality. Only 4,000 to 5,000 bottles of Barolo DOCG are sold each year, while the rest of the grapes or wine are passed on to other bottlers during various production stages.
Geologically, the soil of Bussia is made up of Sant’Agata Fossili Marls, a sandy type of ancient formation dating back 10 million years and easily recognized by its light gray color. Marl, characteristic of the Langhe, is a soft rock made mainly of silt and clay, with smaller amounts of sand and calcium carbonate, typical of the Langhe region.