Everywhere in Piedmont, Nebbiolo is considered the most important and ‘noble’ red grape variety (think: Barolo; Barbaresco; Gattinara; Ghemme; Boca etc…)
Not here in Nizza.
In this tiny ‘enclave’ within the ‘Barbera d’Asti’ DOCG the main star is indeed Barbera, the same grape who plays ‘second fiddle’ to Nebbiolo anywhere else.
This grape variety has been cultivated in this sub-area for over 500 years and is considered the highest expression of the denomination and the leading grape variety grown.
This peculiarity was made official in 2014 when a ‘Nizza DOCG’ status was awarded to 18 municipalities due to the specially favourable microclimatic conditions.
Roberto De Silva dreamt about Monferrato all his life..
He learned about Monferrato as a child growing up: this was the land his grandfather came from – an incredible land, hand-worked by big and strong characters.
And it is here that he imagined himself one day, like his grandfather before him, working the land and producing high quality wines.
The dream came true in 2007 with the acquisition of 15 hectares in his beloved Monferrato, in the heart of what will become the DOCG Nizza.
Following his passing in 2012, wife Diana De Silva took charge of the estate with the help of an all-female team and an unexpected moral support:
that of a little mongrel (or “botolo” in local dialect), found on the farm at the beginning of the adventure.
Its sympathy and generosity conquered everyone, and it was repaid with the name of the winery.
Il Botolo – both mascotte and company- might be small, but they have a great character that will leave its mark long after you experience it.
