VINEYARDS
Driving down from La Morra towards Alba, the road bearing right leads to Frazione Annunziata. Just before the square on which the former San Martino di Marcenasco Benedictine Abbey stands lies a white house.
This is Azienda Aurelio Settimo‘s home.
The gravel road leads around the building into the estate vineyards:
5.67 hectares (14 acres) growing Nebbiolo, and 0.97 hectares planted with Dolcetto.
Nebbiolo is the variety from which Barolo wine is produced, and 3.42 hectares of the estate’s nebbiolo lie facing south – south-west on what is considered to be one of the area’s very finest crus: the celebrated Rocche dell’Annunziata.
Here the vineyards looking out over the Torriglione hamlet – in the shelter of a “hollow” lying between the hills of San Martino and Cerequio-Brunate – are “kissed” by the sun from early morning till late in the afternoon.
CHARACTERISTICS
The rich, clayey–calcareous soil of the Rocche combines with the altitude (approx. 270 m. a.s.l.) and position (south – south-west) allows us to produce a barolo which is full of body, yet soft and very fragrant.
A standard Barolo DOCG is also produced from the remaining 2.25 hectares of Nebbiolo, planted on slopes facing south-east.
The vineyards have been planted at different times, so the vines range in age between 9 and 60 years. The traditional Guyot vine-training system is used, with a planting density of 4,500-5,000 vines per hectare. The maximum yields per hectare, regulated by law, are normally those: Barolo DOCG, Barolo DOCG Rocche dell'Annunziata and Langhe Nebbiolo: 8,000 kg of grapes per hectare; Dolcetto d'Alba: 9,000 kg of grapes per hectare. With pruning to 8 - 10 buds, the quantity is then controlled again with thinning in summer (June - July), and not in all years the company manages to produce the maximum allowed.
"THE GREEN EXPERIENCE":
AN INTEGRATED AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT
Since 2017 vintage we are a part of "THE GREEN EXPERIENCE” project : a Piedmont network of more than 100 producers who practice a green , reconsidered and sustainable.
As far as treatments in the vineyard to combat major vine diseases – such as downy and powdery mildew – are concerned, integrated pest management has been adopted by the estate for many years, in accordance with past EC regulation 2078, now 214 measure, regulating the use of chemicals and encouraging the use of natural, environmentally-friendly products.
With this program, supported by the Region of Piedmont, a specialist vine-growing technician keeps tabs on conditions by means of meteorological stations, and advises growers on the best time to carry our treatments.
10 RULES:
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Eco-friendly and sustainable viticulture and productions
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Protection of biodiversity and of the natural environment
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Aesthetic protection of the natural and anthropic landscape
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Priorities to agronomic solutions and respect for the soil
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Elimination of chemical weeding in vine-rows
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Sowing of herbal and floral essences in the vineyard
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Dissemination of useful pollinating insects
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Location of nests for birds functional to cultivation
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Respect and honesty towards consumers
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Traceability of controls and external certification
CERTIFICATION SQNPI “National Quality System of Integrated production“
The constant focus on promoting biodiversity and implementing eco-friendly farming practices has led us, in recent years, to achieve, in addition to "The Green Experience" certification, also the certification SQNPI "National Quality System of Integrated production" EU-recognized (in accordance with Reg. EC 1974/2006.).
The aim of this certification is to enhance the value of agricultural products grown in compliance with regional integrated production protocols.
This approach combines effective agronomic techniques with the responsible use of fertilizers and treatments, thereby ensuring environmental sustainability, consumer safety, and the full traceability of the entire cultivation process."
The SQNPI provides:
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The definition of National Guidelines which represent a guiding tool aimed at an ever greater harmonization of the regional "Technical Standards", in compliance with the climatic/environmental, cultural and phytosanitary peculiarities that distinguish the various agricultural areas of the Italian territory.
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The adoption of regional integrated production specifications (approved by MIPAAF) and the implementation of a rigorous traceability system aimed at demonstrating that the certified products come from farms that apply the aforementioned specifications
