Assembled from ancient vineyards, this hilltop estate is the life’s work of Nicoletta Bocca. In 1992 after a career in the Milan fashion world, Nicolletta began purchasing these treasured sites from farmers who had grown... Read More

Assembled from ancient vineyards, this hilltop estate is the life’s work of Nicoletta Bocca. In 1992 after a career in the Milan fashion world, Nicolletta began purchasing these treasured sites from farmers who had grown too old to work them. The oldest of these sites was planted in 1936 and the “young vines” in 1978. Dolcetto is the bulk of what she grows but there are ancient vines of Nebbiolo and Barbera as well. She converted them all to biodynamic practices, believing that this would unleash their potential. The last quarter century has proven her right!

In order to harness this potential, work in the cellar is as minimal as it gets. Fruit is de-stemmed, crushed, and then fermented in large neutral Slavonian oak vats. There is no temperature control, the old wood imparts very little in the way of oaky aroma or flavor, and no additives or commercial yeasts are added.

Fereolo has made its name on Dolcetto with very long eleveage. In Nicoletta’s cavernous cellars she ages the wines well beyond any Barolo and Barbaresco producer.