Oddero, Poderi Colla
Summary
Poderi Colla is a family-owned Piedmontese estate with 25 hectares across three distinct terroirs in Barolo, Barbaresco, and Alba, focusing primarily on Nebbiolo grown on limestone-rich marl soils at varying elevations. Their winemaking balances tradition with precision through sustainable farming, extended macerations, and aging in large Slavonian oak casks rather than small barriques, with separate vinification of each vineyard parcel to preserve authentic terroir expression.
Heritage & Leadership
Poderi Colla was established in 1994 when Tino Colla and his niece Federica acquired three distinct properties in Piedmont's Langhe region. The winery represents the continuation of a significant winemaking legacy, as Federica's father, Beppe Colla, was one of Piedmont's most influential winemakers during his tenure at Prunotto from 1956 to 1994. The Colla family's winemaking history extends back to 1703, documented through family records maintained in the Alba region. Today, the estate is managed by Tino Colla who oversees business operations, while Federica Colla directs the winemaking program. Pietro Colla, Federica's son, joined the family business in 2007, representing the next generation of this winemaking family. In 2015, the estate marked a significant milestone with the completion of their modernized cellar facilities in Alba, enhancing their production capabilities while maintaining traditional winemaking methods.
Vineyards & Wines
Poderi Colla's 25 hectares of vineyards span three distinct properties across Piedmont's premier growing areas. The Cascine Drago estate in Alba comprises 12 hectares planted primarily to Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, and Barbera at elevations between 250-350 meters above sea level on calcareous-clay soils. In Barbaresco, their Tenuta Roncaglia vineyard covers 5 hectares in the Roncaglia cru, featuring 30-50 year old Nebbiolo vines growing on southeast-facing slopes at 230-320 meters elevation. Their most prestigious holding is the 3-hectare Dardi Le Rose plot within Barolo's renowned Bussia cru in Monforte d'Alba, where Nebbiolo vines averaging 45 years of age grow at 300-350 meters on limestone-rich marl soils with western exposure. The estate produces a focused range of wines including Barolo Bussia Dardi Le Rose, Barbaresco Roncaglie, Nebbiolo d'Alba Drago, Barbera d'Alba Costa Bruna, Dolcetto d'Alba Pian Balbo, and a Langhe Pinot Noir. Their production remains deliberately limited at approximately 90,000 bottles annually to maintain quality standards.
Philosophy & Practice
Poderi Colla adheres to traditional Piedmontese winemaking methods while implementing precise vineyard management techniques. Their approach begins with sustainable farming practices, including green harvesting to control yields and manual harvest with rigorous grape selection. In the cellar, fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with extended maceration periods—typically 15 days for Barbaresco and up to 30 days for Barolo. Their aging protocols follow traditional parameters: Barolo matures for 24 months in large Slavonian oak casks (30-50 hectoliters), while Barbaresco sees 12-18 months in similar vessels. The estate avoids small French oak barrels for their flagship wines to preserve varietal character. Final bottle aging extends 12 months beyond minimum DOCG requirements before release. Intervention during vinification is minimal, with no filtration applied to their Nebbiolo-based wines. The Collas maintain a philosophy of expressing site-specific characteristics, demonstrated by their separate vinification of each vineyard parcel and commitment to preserving the distinctive attributes of their three terroirs.