Rocche Dei Manzoni
Summary
Rocche Dei Manzoni is a 15-hectare family estate in Monforte d'Alba's Barolo region, focusing on Nebbiolo from their prized Manzoni Soprani and Mosconi crus, where calcareous marl and clay-rich soils at 300-400 meters elevation shape their distinctive wines. Their winemaking balances traditional methods with thoughtful innovation, featuring extended aging protocols that exceed DOCG requirements while maintaining the pioneering spirit that led to Langhe's first traditional method sparkling wine in 1978.
Heritage & Leadership
Rocche Dei Manzoni was established in 1974 by Valentino Migliorini in the commune of Monforte d'Alba within Italy's Piedmont region. Migliorini, originally from Tuscany, acquired the property with a vision to produce wines that would showcase the distinctive terroir of the Langhe. The winery takes its name from the Manzoni Soprani cru where the estate is situated. Following Valentino's passing in 2007, his son Rodolfo Migliorini assumed leadership of the estate, continuing the family's winemaking tradition while implementing his own refinements to production methods.
Under Valentino's direction, Rocche Dei Manzoni pioneered several winemaking approaches in the region, including the introduction of barrique aging for Nebbiolo in the 1970s and the creation of Langhe's first traditional method sparkling wine in 1978, the "Valentino Brut." The estate maintains its family-owned status today, with Rodolfo overseeing all aspects of production from vineyard management to bottling.
Vineyards & Wines
Rocche Dei Manzoni encompasses 15 hectares of vineyards distributed across several prized sites in Monforte d'Alba. The estate's holdings include parcels in the Manzoni Soprani and Mosconi crus, both recognized for producing Barolo of distinctive character. The vineyards sit at elevations ranging from 300 to 400 meters above sea level, with predominantly southern and southwestern exposures that maximize sun exposure in this cool climate region.
The soils in the estate's vineyards vary, with the Manzoni Soprani cru characterized by calcareous marl with high limestone content, while the Mosconi vineyard features more clay-rich soils. These soil differences contribute to the distinct expressions in their wines. The estate cultivates primarily Nebbiolo for their Barolo production, alongside Barbera, Dolcetto, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Their oldest Nebbiolo vines date back to the 1970s.
The winery produces several notable wines, including their flagship "Barolo Vigna Madonna Assunta La Villa" from a single vineyard planted in 1978, the "Barolo Big 'd Big" from the Mosconi cru, and their pioneering sparkling wine "Valentino Brut," made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir using the traditional method.
Philosophy & Practice
Rocche Dei Manzoni's winemaking philosophy balances respect for tradition with technical innovation. In the vineyard, they practice low-yield viticulture with manual harvest of all grapes. Each vineyard parcel is vinified separately to preserve its unique characteristics before potential blending decisions are made.
For their Barolo production, the estate employs extended maceration periods ranging from 15 to 30 days depending on the vintage. Aging protocols vary by wine, with their Barolo receiving 24 months in French oak barriques followed by a minimum of 12 months in bottle before release, exceeding the minimum requirements of the DOCG regulations.
The estate's sparkling wine production involves whole-bunch pressing, primary fermentation in stainless steel, and secondary fermentation in bottle with extended aging on lees for a minimum of 36 months. This meticulous approach to traditional method sparkling wine was pioneering for the Langhe region when introduced in the late 1970s.
Temperature control during fermentation is precisely managed using modern equipment, allowing for the preservation of aromatic compounds while ensuring complete extraction of phenolic compounds. The winery's facilities, partially built into the hillside, provide natural temperature regulation for aging wines.