In the foothills of the Biellese Alps, above the town of Biella, lies the unique Castello di Montecavallo vineyards. These vineyards, now under the care of Tomaso and Martina Incisa della Rocchetta, produce exciting wines with minimal intervention, preserving the classic beauty of the grape. The family's history is intertwined with the vineyards, with their mother, Maria Chiara Reda, resurrecting the vineyards and their family building the Neo-Gothic castle in 1830, which has remained in the family. The growing region of Coste della Sesia, though only recognized in 1996, has a history dating back to the Romans and was written about by Pliny the Elder. The family grows Nebbiolo, Vespolina, and a touch of Neretta Cuneese on about 3 hectares of land, each grape variety contributing to the unique character of the wines.

​What started in the late 1800s as Italy's best-known
and the most prominent vineyard area today is microscopic.

'Alto Piemonte", the hills leading to the Alps on the northeastern part of Piedmonte, produced breathtaking wines on the 40,000 hectares of vineyards it once bragged about having. Today, there are less than 40K hectares in all of Piedmonte, with under 1000 belonging to the once-grand Alto Piemonte area. So what happened? The perfect storm- phylloxera hit hard in the late 1800s, and many of these terraced vineyards were denounced as financial losses for the poor farmers who once worked the land. Concurrently, the economic boom in Torino assisted in making the farmer change gears- Fiat was the place to work and make money. Finally, add to the increased production in the Langhe to the southwest. In the early 20th century, a surge in output in Langhe- Barolo and Barbaresco areas was the new thing. The combination of these denoted the unfortunate passing of Alto Piemonte. Over the last two decades, the Alto Piemonte has experienced a renaissance, with the next generation discovering a newfound passion for the countryside and its wines. Currently, a small amount of Artisan families remain. In the past 30 years, the Alto has been experiencing a reawakening- including the next-gen setting the bar higher, new blood capturing old lands, and the chatter of 'what once was' buzzing in the ears of Oenophiles​. While Alto will probably never go back to what it was, what remains is some terrific juice-terroir-driven, handcrafted wines ​running the stylistic gamut from classical to contemporary, rustic to refined. Which brings us back to Castello di Montecavallo-

"Wine is an expression of terroir."

This proclamation is where the siblings begin. The position of Castello di Montecavallo is crucial to their fruitful vineyards. The hill sits 450 meters above sea level, and the proximity to the mountains ensures cool nights even during the summer. These cooler nights guarantee the extraction of the aromas of small fruits; the sandy soil, combined with the vineyards' slope, allows rapid water drainage, which translates into a greater concentration of flavors and minerals in the wine. Finally, the sharpness of the earth gives it peculiar freshness and elegance. The natural integration of these elements gives the wines a perfect balance between body, harmony, and flavor; consequently, their hands in the winery can be light, though their steadfast focus remains. They are guardians of the land, and with that comes a considerable obligation to bring forth their commitment to make some of the finest wines of Alto Piemonte.

WHO:
Tomaso and Martina Incisa della Rocchetta

WHERE:
Vigliano Biellese, Biella • Piedmont, Italy (in the area known as “Alto Piemonte”)

FOUNDED:
Restored in the early 2000s

LAND:
Three + hectares, 450 meters above sea level

VARIETALS:
Nebbiolo + Vespolina

APPELLATION:
Coste della Sesia DOC

VITICULTURE:
Organic - Natural

HARVEST:  
By hand

Annual Production: 

ABOUT THE COSTE DELLA SESIA DOCG :

History: Established as a DOC in 1996
Vineyard Area: 100 ha / 247 acres (2018)
Production: 2,490 hl / 27,670 cases (2018)
Principal White Grape Varieties: Erbaluce
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Croatina, Nebbiolo, Vespolina

• Bianco (Wh): 100% Erbaluce

• Rosato (Ro): Minimum 50% Nebbiolo (locally Spanna) + OANRG (other authorized nonaromatic red grapes)

• Rosso (Rd): Minimum 50% Nebbiolo + OANRG

• Croatina (Rd): Minimum 85% Croatina + OANG

• Nebbiolo or Spanna (Rd): Minimum 85% Nebbiolo + OANG

• Vespolina (Rd): Minimum 85% Vespolina + OANG

It’s the law:

• Vineyard elevation: Minimum 200 m (660 ft); maximum 600 m (1,970 ft)

• Minimum alcohol level: 11.0% for Bianco, Rosato, Rosso, Croatina, and Vespolina; 11.5% for Croatina and Vespolina with vineyard designation and for Nebbiolo; 12.0% for Nebbiolo, also with vineyard designation

• Aging: No minimums specified

Via per Chiavazza, 30,

13856 Vigliano Biellese BI, Italy

+39 333 434 8405

[links + doc info credit: italianwinecentral.com]