The second vintage of the two single-MGA labels highlights the different expressions of Nebbiolo within the municipality of Novello
Novello, September 2026 – Merenda Sinoira (link) presents the new vintage of Barolo DOCG Ravera (link) and Sottocastello di Novello (link), two single-MGA labels that highlight the distinctive vineyard identities within the commune of Novello. Produced in around 1,300 bottles each, the two 2022 Barolos show distinct characters, shaped by vineyards that lie close to one another yet differ profoundly in altitude, exposure and soil composition.
The decision to vinify the grapes of the two MGAs separately dates back to the 2021 vintage and marks an important step in the winery’s journey. Merenda Sinoira has been producing Barolo since 2015, the year Kidì was born: a classic interpretation of Nebbiolo from Novello and the first expression of the winery’s vision for this appellation. With the experience gained harvest after harvest and the creation of its own cellar in the center of Novello, the project has evolved naturally, giving Ravera and Sottocastello di Novello two separate vinifications and two distinct labels, each able to express the identity of its MGAs with greater precision.
“We strongly believe in the identity of Novello, whose MGAs have gained significant international recognition in recent decades,” explains Federico Alessandria, Agronomist and Winemaker at Merenda Sinoira.“With these wines, we want to show the distinct personalities of Ravera and Sottocastello di Novello: two sites that lie very close to each other, yet express profoundly different characteristics.”
TWO MGAs, TWO READINGS OF NOVELLO
The Sottocastello di Novello vineyard lies at around 450 metres above sea level, among the highest elevations in the Barolo denomination. The steep slope and the south-east exposure favor ventilation and freshness, while the calcareous-clay soil, crossed by light sandy veins, contributes to the wine’s structure. The resulting Barolo shows good acidity and marked polyphenolic concentration, alongside an aromatic profile recalling undergrowth, dark spices and balsamic notes.
Ravera, on the other hand, is born at an average altitude of around 350 metres, in a basin with gentler slopes. The soils, belonging to the Sant’Agata Fossili Formation, are composed of calcareous marl, clay and silt; they retain water well and are particularly rich in active limestone. The wine stands out for its longevity, mineral freshness and a dense tannic texture, destined to become silkier with age. On the nose, citrus nuances emerge at first, gradually giving way to menthol and liquorice.
For both labels, the Nebbiolo grapes are harvested by hand. Vinification involves a small percentage of whole clusters with stems, alcoholic fermentation and extended maceration in temperature-controlled vertical stainless steel tanks. Ageing continues for around 24 months in large oak barrels.
THE UNEXPECTED BALANCE OF THE 2022 VINTAGE
The 2022 vintage was marked by a mild winter with almost no rainfall, followed by an early spring and a summer of intense heat and prolonged drought. Limited water availability contained vegetative growth and resulted in bunches with smaller berries and concentrated pulp. Rainfall between late August and early September supported the final ripening phase, while the Nebbiolo harvest took place early, during the last two weeks of September.
Given the intense heat and prolonged drought, the vintage initially suggested particularly muscular, concentrated wines. During ageing, however, the tannins gradually softened, and Nebbiolo’s natural freshness brought balance to the high level of ripeness, resulting in deep, harmonious wines that already show remarkable elegance.
«Every harvest brings its own emotions – that’s the beauty of making wine», continues Federico Alessandria. «In Ravera, what moves us is the mineral note, probably linked to the presence of active limestone, which gives the palate a vibrant freshness. Sottocastello di Novello, on the other hand, is striking for its unique polyphenolic concentration, encouraged by the diurnal temperature range that comes with altitude.»
