Davide Carlone
Summary
Davide Carlone operates a small 2.5-hectare winery in Boca, Alto Piemonte, focusing on Nebbiolo-dominant wines from steep, terraced vineyards with distinctive volcanic porphyry soils at 420-520 meters elevation. His traditional approach includes hand harvesting, indigenous yeast fermentation, and patient aging in large Slavonian oak casks—methods that have helped revive this once-forgotten appellation by showcasing the unique mineral character of Boca's ancient terroir.
Heritage & Leadership
Davide Carlone established his winery in the Boca appellation of Alto Piemonte during the 1990s, becoming one of the key figures in the revival of this historic wine region. Based in the small commune of Boca in northern Piedmont, Carlone represents a new generation of winemakers who have reclaimed abandoned vineyards and restored traditional winemaking practices. The Carlone family has deep agricultural roots in the area, with Davide taking the initiative to focus specifically on viticulture and winemaking. His work in Boca has contributed significantly to bringing attention back to this once-neglected appellation, which had seen dramatic decline in vineyard area from its pre-phylloxera peak.
Vineyards & Wines
Davide Carlone manages approximately 2.5 hectares of vineyards scattered across the Boca appellation, situated at elevations between 420-520 meters above sea level. The vineyards benefit from Boca's distinctive soil composition, characterized by acidic, volcanic porphyry rock with mineral-rich deposits that impart distinctive characteristics to the wines. His plantings follow the traditional composition of the Boca DOC, with Nebbiolo (locally called Spanna) comprising 70-90% of the vineyards, complemented by Vespolina and Uva Rara. The steep, terraced vineyards face south and southeast, maximizing sun exposure in this cooler northern Piedmont climate. Carlone produces several wines, with his flagship Boca DOC showcasing the appellation's capacity for producing structured, aromatic Nebbiolo-based wines with excellent aging potential.
Philosophy & Practice
Carlone adheres to traditional winemaking methods that honor the historical practices of Alto Piemonte. In the vineyard, he employs manual cultivation techniques necessitated by the steep terrain, with all harvesting performed by hand. His winemaking approach features extended maceration periods to extract the full character of Nebbiolo, followed by aging in large Slavonian oak casks rather than small French barriques, preserving the distinctive territorial expression of Boca. Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts, and Carlone's Boca DOC wines typically undergo 24-36 months of aging before release, allowing the naturally high acidity and tannin structure to integrate. This patient approach to winemaking reflects the traditional understanding that Alto Piemonte Nebbiolo requires time to reveal its full complexity, distinguishing these wines from their counterparts in the Langhe region to the south.