Luigi Einaudi, Poderi
Summary
Founded by Italy's first democratically elected president in 1897, Poderi Luigi Einaudi is a fourth-generation family estate managing 60 hectares across Piedmont, specializing in Barolo and Dogliani wines from clay-limestone and blue-grey marl soils at 200-400 meters elevation. Their winemaking balances tradition with thoughtful innovation, employing extended aging in large Slavonian oak casks for their Barolos while maintaining meticulous vineyard practices that honor authentic terroir expression and regional typicity.
Heritage & Leadership
Poderi Luigi Einaudi was established in 1897 when Luigi Einaudi, who would later become the first democratically elected President of Italy (1948-1955), purchased the first vineyard in Dogliani. The estate began with the San Giacomo property in the Dogliani zone, marking the start of what would become a significant wine-producing legacy in Piedmont. Luigi Einaudi, an economist and scholar, maintained his connection to viticulture throughout his political career, viewing winemaking as both a passion and an important economic activity for the region.
Following Luigi's death in 1961, his son Roberto continued to develop the estate, expanding vineyard holdings and maintaining the family's commitment to quality. In the 1990s, Paola Einaudi, Luigi's granddaughter, took leadership of the winery and initiated significant modernization efforts while preserving traditional winemaking values. Today, the estate is led by Matteo Sardagna Einaudi, Luigi's great-grandson, who assumed control in 2014. Under his direction, Poderi Einaudi has continued to expand its presence in the Barolo region while maintaining its historical connection to Dogliani.
## Vineyards & Wines
Poderi Einaudi manages approximately 60 hectares of vineyards across several key areas of Piedmont. The estate's holdings include vineyards in Dogliani, where they produce Dolcetto, and significant parcels in the Barolo region, including sites in Monforte d'Alba, Verduno, and the historic Cannubi cru in Barolo itself.
The original San Giacomo vineyard in Dogliani remains central to the estate's identity, with its clay-limestone soils particularly suited to Dolcetto cultivation. In Barolo, the estate owns parcels in the Terlo and Bussia vineyards in Monforte d'Alba, and the Cannubi cru, which features the classic blue-grey marl soils (locally known as "marne di Sant'Agata") that contribute to Nebbiolo's distinctive character.
The winery produces a range of wines that reflect Piedmont's viticultural traditions. Their portfolio includes several Barolo wines from single vineyards, Barbera d'Alba, and their historically significant Dogliani Superiore "Vigna Tecc," made from 100% Dolcetto grapes. The estate also produces Langhe Nebbiolo and a Piedmont Chardonnay. The vineyards range in elevation from 200 to 400 meters above sea level, with varying exposures that allow for optimal ripening of different grape varieties.
## Philosophy & Practice
Poderi Einaudi's winemaking philosophy balances respect for tradition with technological innovation. The estate practices selective hand harvesting, with grapes sorted both in the vineyard and at the winery. For their Barolo wines, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with maceration periods typically lasting 15-20 days depending on the vintage and vineyard characteristics.
The aging protocols vary by wine: their Barolo wines mature for at least 38 months, including a minimum of 24 months in large Slavonian oak casks (botti grandi), followed by additional bottle aging before release. The Dogliani Superiore wines undergo a shorter aging period, typically 12-14 months, with a portion in large oak casks to preserve the fresh fruit character of Dolcetto.
In the vineyards, the estate implements integrated pest management practices and has reduced chemical interventions. Soil management includes cover crops between rows to prevent erosion and enhance biodiversity. The winery facility in Dogliani, renovated in 2016, incorporates gravity-flow design elements to minimize mechanical intervention during the winemaking process.
Throughout its evolution, Poderi Einaudi has maintained Luigi Einaudi's original vision of producing wines that authentically express their terroir while contributing to the agricultural and economic vitality of the Piedmont region.
Vineyards & Wines
Poderi Einaudi manages approximately 60 hectares of vineyards across several key areas of Piedmont. The estate's holdings include vineyards in Dogliani, where they produce Dolcetto, and significant parcels in the Barolo region, including sites in Monforte d'Alba, Verduno, and the historic Cannubi cru in Barolo itself.
The original San Giacomo vineyard in Dogliani remains central to the estate's identity, with its clay-limestone soils particularly suited to Dolcetto cultivation. In Barolo, the estate owns parcels in the Terlo and Bussia vineyards in Monforte d'Alba, and the Cannubi cru, which features the classic blue-grey marl soils (locally known as "marne di Sant'Agata") that contribute to Nebbiolo's distinctive character.
The winery produces a range of wines that reflect Piedmont's viticultural traditions. Their portfolio includes several Barolo wines from single vineyards, Barbera d'Alba, and their historically significant Dogliani Superiore "Vigna Tecc," made from 100% Dolcetto grapes. The estate also produces Langhe Nebbiolo and a Piedmont Chardonnay. The vineyards range in elevation from 200 to 400 meters above sea level, with varying exposures that allow for optimal ripening of different grape varieties.
## Philosophy & Practice
Poderi Einaudi's winemaking philosophy balances respect for tradition with technological innovation. The estate practices selective hand harvesting, with grapes sorted both in the vineyard and at the winery. For their Barolo wines, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with maceration periods typically lasting 15-20 days depending on the vintage and vineyard characteristics.
The aging protocols vary by wine: their Barolo wines mature for at least 38 months, including a minimum of 24 months in large Slavonian oak casks (botti grandi), followed by additional bottle aging before release. The Dogliani Superiore wines undergo a shorter aging period, typically 12-14 months, with a portion in large oak casks to preserve the fresh fruit character of Dolcetto.
In the vineyards, the estate implements integrated pest management practices and has reduced chemical interventions. Soil management includes cover crops between rows to prevent erosion and enhance biodiversity. The winery facility in Dogliani, renovated in 2016, incorporates gravity-flow design elements to minimize mechanical intervention during the winemaking process.
Throughout its evolution, Poderi Einaudi has maintained Luigi Einaudi's original vision of producing wines that authentically express their terroir while contributing to the agricultural and economic vitality of the Piedmont region.
Philosophy & Practice
Poderi Einaudi's winemaking philosophy balances respect for tradition with technological innovation. The estate practices selective hand harvesting, with grapes sorted both in the vineyard and at the winery. For their Barolo wines, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with maceration periods typically lasting 15-20 days depending on the vintage and vineyard characteristics.
The aging protocols vary by wine: their Barolo wines mature for at least 38 months, including a minimum of 24 months in large Slavonian oak casks (botti grandi), followed by additional bottle aging before release. The Dogliani Superiore wines undergo a shorter aging period, typically 12-14 months, with a portion in large oak casks to preserve the fresh fruit character of Dolcetto.
In the vineyards, the estate implements integrated pest management practices and has reduced chemical interventions. Soil management includes cover crops between rows to prevent erosion and enhance biodiversity. The winery facility in Dogliani, renovated in 2016, incorporates gravity-flow design elements to minimize mechanical intervention during the winemaking process.
Throughout its evolution, Poderi Einaudi has maintained Luigi Einaudi's original vision of producing wines that authentically express their terroir while contributing to the agricultural and economic vitality of the Piedmont region.