Presented in Pollenzo the collective that brings together eighteen wine producers and professionals with the goal of providing new tools to promote the territory through Nebbiolo and its geological complexity
Pollenzo, 25 November 2025 – On Monday, 24 November 2025, the official presentation of Rotaria (link) marked the launch of a new cultural project bringing together a representative group of eighteen Roero producers. The initiative introduces a transversal and shared interpretation of the territory and of Nebbiolo, placing at its core the richness of the soils, the sensitivity of those who cultivate and interpret them, and the ambition to build a unified narrative of the Roero.
“Rotaria was created as an open and collaborative space designed to provide useful tools for reading and understanding the Roero” explains Nicola Pasquero-Hilberg (link), spokesperson for the project. “It is a pathway that goes beyond wine itself, embracing the broader cultural identity of the Roero and translating its biodiversity into a simple, contemporary language. The name refers to the historical roots of the area and reflects our guiding principle: creating connections and enhancing a heritage of landscapes, traditions and diversity.”
The project is based on three core pillars: enhancing geological and territorial diversity, transforming it into a narrative and commercial asset; fostering knowledge-sharing and collaboration among producers, creating a proactive environment in which each participant plays an active role; and offering concrete tools to communicate and promote the Roero, effectively engaging the various stakeholders.
“At the heart of the project is the desire to give voice to a community – producers, restaurateurs, sommeliers, wine lovers – who wish to become interpreters and ambassadors of the Roero” Pasquero continues. “Rotaria aims to be an independent observatory and platform for dialogue, supporting anyone wishing to understand and communicate the territory in all its expressions.”
The inaugural day in Pollenzo marked the operational start of the project, bringing together producers and professionals for an initial session of analysis and comparative tasting led by Master of Wine Wojciech Bońkowski (link). The outcomes of this first meeting will inform the next steps, supported by a series of practical materials designed to facilitate the understanding and promotion of the territory: tasting notes, structured wine list proposals, food-pairing suggestions and retail display tools. These are complemented by storytelling and communication resources – images, videos and artistic interpretations – created to convey the Roero in an original and engaging way.
THE TWO MAIN ASSETS: SOILS AND NEBBIOLO
Rotaria’s methodology integrates three dimensions: geological, sensory and cultural. Geology is the starting point for understanding the complexity of the Roero, through the study of formations, soils, slopes and vineyard exposures. This is followed by comparative tastings that reveal how these characteristics influence the many expressions of Nebbiolo, with producers actively involved to ensure a shared and consistent approach.
A central element of the project is the simplified geological map of the Roero, developed under the guidance of Nicola Pasquero and Edmondo Bonelli, using a scientific and visual excerpt of the “Langhe e Roero geoviticultural” map created by Alessandro Masnaghetti in collaboration with Giampiero Romana and Bonelli himself. The identification of recurring geological and natural features led to a division of the territory into three macro-areas – sand, marl and clay – enabling an immediate and accessible reading of the region and its identities. The map thus becomes a tool for orientation and interpretation, providing insights into the differences in soils, exposures and landscapes that define the Roero’s complexity.
Nebbiolo, the symbolic grape of the territory and of the great wines of the Langhe, has been chosen as Rotaria’s common denominator, as it allows for a clear understanding of how each producer uniquely interprets the same variety, highlighting nuances shaped by soil composition, vineyard exposure and agronomic choices. Sandy soils tend to yield wines with aromatic finesse and softer tannins; marl brings structure, depth and broader texture; clay enhances intensity, power and longevity.
A DIVERSE COLLECTIVE
Rotaria brings together producers with different histories, sizes, agronomic approaches and stylistic identities, all united by the desire to contribute to a shared understanding of the Roero — even when based outside the immediate area. Participation is voluntary and open to all who share its method and vision, following a collaborative and research-driven approach. The collective currently includes: Alberto Oggero (link) · Angelo Negro (link) · Bajaj – Adriano Moretti (link) · Cascina Chicco (link) · Cornarea (link) · Cordero Gabriele (link) · Deltetto 1953 (link) · Ghiomo (link) · Giovanni Almondo (link) · Hilberg Pasquero (link) · Malvirà (link) · Manuele Priolo (link) · Marco Porello (link) · Matteo Correggia (link) · Rabel (link) · Rosavica Benotti (link) · Sandrone Luciano (link) · Valfaccenda (link)
