When we hear the term Verduno, the first thing that might come to mind are the celebrated wines of G.B. Burlotto and Castello di Verduno in Piemonte, but few think of Cascina Massara. That is,... Read More
When we hear the term Verduno, the first thing that might come to mind are the celebrated wines of G.B. Burlotto and Castello di Verduno in Piemonte, but few think of Cascina Massara. That is, until now!
When the esteemed patriarch of Verduno, Giovanni Battista Burlotto passed away in 1927, he allocated his three prized belongings to each of his children. The castle to one son that became Castello di Verduno, his cellar to another that became G.B Burlotto, and his vineyards and land to his son Giancarlo Burlotto that would eventually become Cascina Massara. The Cascina came with a modest farmhouse and holdings in the prized crus of Massara and Monvigliero.
The inheritance suited Giancarlo well, who was a farmer first.
Over the years, most of Giancarlo's time and energy was committed to careful and conscientious work with the vines, taking the wines of G.B. Burlotto and Castello di Verduno to new heights and firmly securing their inclusion in the top tier Barolo houses. And though Cascina Massara continued to produce and bottle its own distinctive wines, they lacked the recognition of the other Burlotto properties.
Joined now by his son Gianluca, we are excited to report that a renewed focus has been brought to the winemaking, marking the beginning of a new chapter and paving the way for this esteemed family farm to take its rightful place alongside Burlotto and Castello di Verduno.
When tasting through the range we were struck by the consistency with which the terroir of Verduno clearly expressed itself, culminating with the magnificent single cru Massara. The style is best described as both rustic and transparent: the wines are raised in large botti and bottled without "corrections" or additions to facilitate the pure expression of terroir. In a word they are extremely traditional.
