REGION: Piedmont

Alessio Federico Grasso began bottling his wines in 1980, but the family have been farmers in La Morra since 1927. From 14 ha, including plots in Bricco Manzoni, Bricco Luciani and Giachini crus, Federico, with his wife and two sons, makes sophisticated, modern Barolos with a lush, easy appeal.

Andrea Sottimano and his father Rino produce wines of outstanding quality from 13 hectares in the Cottá, Currá, Fausoni, Pajoré and Basarin crus of the Treiso and Neive townships. Their approach relies on minimal intervention: organic farming, native yeast fermentations, and no fining or filtering.

At the base of the Alps in the village of Maggiora, in Alto Piemonte, low pH soil and a cooler climate imbue Vallana wines with aromatics and backbone. Giuseppina Vallana, together with children Marina and Francis Fogarty, farm sites within Colline Novaresi, including the crus of Boca and Gattinara.