By Tony Margiotta
In the heart of the Langhe hills, where the mist drapes the vineyards in the early morning and the Nebbiolo grapes bask in the warm Piedmont sun, lies a winery that has quietly risen to prominence. This is the story of Gianluca Battaglio, a Barbaresco producer whose commitment to tradition, innovation, and the land itself has made it one of the best in the region today.
Chapter 1: The Roots of a Dream
Years ago, in a small village near Neive, a young man named Gianluca Battaglio inherited a modest vineyard from his grandfather. The vineyard, nestled in one of the prime locations for Nebbiolo cultivation, had been in the Battaglio family for generations. Yet, it had never been more than a source of local pride, producing wines that were loved by the village but unknown beyond the valley.
Gianluca, however, had a dream. He had spent years studying oenology in Alba and working in some of the most prestigious wineries in Italy. He knew that the land he now owned held the potential to produce world-class Barbaresco. But Gianluca also understood that realizing this potential would require more than just knowledge—it would require passion, patience, and an unwavering commitment to quality.
Chapter 2: The Turning Point
The turning point for Battaglio came one autumn, when a particularly challenging vintage threatened to ruin the year’s harvest. Heavy rains had dampened the vineyards, and many local winemakers decided to cut their losses and produce a simpler, less ambitious wine. But Gianluca saw an opportunity where others saw only adversity.
He decided to employ a technique he had learned during his travels—a meticulous grape selection process that involved hand-picking only the ripest, most perfect grapes. It was a labor-intensive task, one that required Gianluca and his small team of only family members to spend days in the vineyards, carefully sorting each cluster. But Gianluca believed that this was the only way to ensure that the true character of the Nebbiolo grapes would shine through.
When the wine was finally made, it was clear that Gianluca’s gamble had paid off. The Barbaresco that emerged from the cellar was unlike anything Battaglio had produced before. It was elegant, with layers of flavor that spoke of the terroir and the care with which it had been crafted. Word began to spread, and soon, Battaglio was being talked about not just in Neive, but across the region.
Chapter 3: Innovation Meets Tradition
Gianluca knew that to elevate Battaglio to the ranks of the great Barbaresco producers, he would have to balance innovation with tradition. While he was committed to preserving the time-honored methods of winemaking that his grandfather had taught him, he was also keen to incorporate modern techniques that could enhance the quality of the wine.
One of the key innovations Gianluca introduced was the use of both smaller French oak barrels for aging, but more so the Slovenian casks that were traditionally used in the region. This allowed the wine to develop more nuanced flavors and a softer, more refined tannin structure. However, he was careful not to let the oak overwhelm the natural characteristics of the Nebbiolo grape. Gianluca also works with a technique called "assemblagio" or "assembly" which is the separation of vineyard sections and blending the grapes from each section after vinification to create a quasi blend even though the wines like Barbaresco are monovarietals. The technique is artistic in nature requiring the taste of the winemaker to shine through. The result was a Barbaresco that was both traditional in its expression and modern in its finesse.
Chapter 4: The Rise of a New Star
As the years went by, Battaglio’s Barbaresco began to garner acclaim from wine critics and enthusiasts alike. Each vintage seemed to surpass the last, with the wines consistently praised for their balance, elegance, and depth of flavor. What set Battaglio apart, however, was not just the quality of the wine, but the philosophy behind it.
Gianluca believed that great wine was made in the vineyard, not in the cellar. He spent as much time among the vines as he did in the winery, carefully managing the canopy, monitoring the soil, and ensuring that the grapes were harvested at the perfect moment. His approach was one of minimal intervention—allowing the grapes to express the unique characteristics of the land, without being overshadowed by winemaking techniques.
This philosophy resonated with a new generation of wine lovers who were seeking authenticity and a connection to the land. Battaglio’s Barbaresco became a symbol of this movement, celebrated not just for its flavor but for the story it told—a story of a family’s dedication to their land, and of a winemaker’s quest to create something extraordinary.
Chapter 5: Recognition and Legacy
The pinnacle of Battaglio’s rise came when their Barbaresco was awarded one of the highest honors in Italian wine—a Tre Bicchieri from Gambero Rosso, Italy’s most prestigious wine guide. This accolade confirmed what many in the wine world had already recognized: that Battaglio was now among the elite producers of Barbaresco.
Even more recently, Gianluca Battaglio's Barbaresco Riserva Serragrilli single vineyard cru won a gold medal at the Merano Wine Festival; the olympics of wine in Italy.
But for Gianluca, the recognition was secondary to the joy of seeing his family’s vineyard thrive. He was proud of what Battaglio had achieved, but he remained humble, always crediting the land and the team that had worked alongside him. He continued to innovate, to experiment with new techniques, and to push the boundaries of what Barbaresco could be. Yet, he never lost sight of the traditions that had guided him from the beginning.
Today, Battaglio is not just a winery—it’s a beacon of excellence in the Barbaresco region. Gianluca’s wines are celebrated for their purity, their expression of terroir, and their ability to age gracefully. Collectors seek them out, sommeliers recommend them, and wine lovers savor them, knowing that they are experiencing something truly special.
Epilogue: The Future of Battaglio
As Gianluca looks to the future, he sees endless possibilities for the Battaglio Family Estate. He dreams of expanding the vineyard, of experimenting with different clones of Nebbiolo, and of continuing to refine his winemaking techniques. But most of all, he dreams of passing on his passion to the next generation—of teaching them the values that have made Battaglio what it is today.
In every bottle of Battaglio Barbaresco, you can taste the history, the innovation, and the dedication that have gone into making it one of the best in the region. It’s a wine that tells a story—a story of a man, a vineyard, and a dream that has come to fruition in the rolling hills of Piedmont.