Mauro Veglio
Summary
Mauro Veglio is a family-run Barolo producer operating from La Morra in Piedmont, crafting approximately 60,000 bottles annually from 12 hectares of vineyards across four distinguished crus with calcareous-clay soils and vines dating to the late 1960s. Their winemaking balances tradition with innovation through moderate maceration periods and French oak aging, while maintaining hands-on involvement throughout production from manual harvesting to gravity-flow cellar techniques.
Heritage & Leadership
Mauro Veglio established his eponymous winery in 1992 in the commune of La Morra, taking over the modest family estate previously managed by his father Angelo. Prior to creating his own label, Mauro worked alongside his father, gaining practical experience in both vineyard management and cellar operations. The winery represents a continuation of family tradition while marking a distinct shift in winemaking philosophy.
Today, the estate operates under the leadership of Mauro and his wife Daniela, who oversees administrative operations. In 2017, they were joined by their nephew Alessandro Veglio and his wife Silvia, ensuring continuity for the next generation. This family structure maintains the artisanal character of the operation while allowing for gradual evolution in their approach to winemaking.
The winery's development coincided with a period of significant change in Barolo production during the 1990s, when Mauro aligned himself with the modernist movement that advocated for more approachable wines. Their headquarters and cellars are located in the Cascina Nuova area of La Morra, serving as both production facility and visitor center.
Vineyards & Wines
Mauro Veglio manages 12 hectares of vineyards distributed across several key sites in the Barolo and Langhe regions. Their holdings include parcels in four Barolo crus: Gattera and Arborina in La Morra, Castelletto in Monforte d'Alba, and a section of the historic Rocche dell'Annunziata vineyard in La Morra. These vineyards range in elevation from 300 to 400 meters above sea level and feature the region's characteristic calcareous-clay soils.
The estate's production focuses primarily on Nebbiolo, which comprises approximately 70% of their plantings. The remaining vineyard area is dedicated to Barbera and Dolcetto. Their portfolio includes four single-vineyard Barolo wines, each expressing the distinct characteristics of their respective sites. The Barolo Gattera comes from vines planted in 1969, while their parcel in Rocche dell'Annunziata contains vines dating to 1974.
Beyond Barolo, the winery produces Langhe Nebbiolo, Barbera d'Alba, and Dolcetto d'Alba. Annual production remains deliberately limited at approximately 60,000 bottles, allowing for attentive vineyard management and careful vinification of each parcel.
Philosophy & Practice
Mauro Veglio's winemaking approach balances respect for tradition with practical innovation. In the vineyard, they practice low-yield viticulture with green harvesting when necessary to ensure optimal ripening. Harvest is conducted entirely by hand, with careful selection of fruit both in the vineyard and at the sorting table.
Their cellar protocol for Barolo includes temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks with maceration periods of 10-15 days, shorter than traditional methods but designed to extract elegant tannins while preserving aromatic complexity. Aging takes place in French oak barriques for approximately 24 months, followed by a minimum of 12 months in bottle before release.
For their Barbera and Dolcetto wines, the aging regimen is adjusted to highlight the varietal characteristics, with shorter periods in oak and earlier release to market. The winery employs gravity flow principles in their recently renovated cellar, minimizing mechanical intervention in the winemaking process.
The Veglio family maintains a hands-on approach throughout the production cycle, from pruning to bottling, reflecting their commitment to quality over quantity. Their viticultural practices emphasize environmental responsibility, including cover cropping between rows and minimal chemical intervention, though they do not hold formal organic certification.