Barolo and Barbaresco are the rock stars of Italy’s Nebbiolo grape, but as prices climb in these famous regions, savvy wine lovers are discovering incredible Nebbiolo wines outside these designations.
In Barbaresco, vineyard sites are classified as MGA, or Additional Geographical Mentions, similar to cru designations in France. Of the 66 officially recognized MGAs in Barbaresco, Montersino and Meruzzano sit within the municipality of Treiso, the highest-elevation vineyards in the appellation (1,350 feet above sea level). Here, Nebbiolo is planted on steep, south-facing slopes of pale limestone-rich soils, with dramatic gullies cutting through the landscape.
From these hills comes Orlando Abrigo, a small, family-run estate in Treiso whose Nebbiolo comes from Montersino and Meruzzano. The wines are traditionally styled, favouring perfume, structure, and transparent site expression over sheer weight or power, allowing the character of these sites to shine through. Orlando Abrigo’s 2020 Nebbiolo d'Alba shows exactly why Treiso has become such a compelling source for elegant Nebbiolo. Higher elevations and limestone-rich soils help preserve freshness and aromatic lift, even in warmer vintages.
Winemaker and owner, Giovanni Abrigo’s grandparents were winemakers who sold their grapes at the market in Alba. His father Orlando returned to winemaking in 1973, proudly welcoming the DOCG recognition in 1981. Giovanni’s first harvest was in 1986 and he hasn’t looked back. Since then, new vineyards were acquired (Montersino in 1996) and an avante garde winery was built in 2013.
For Orlando Abrigo's 2020 Nebbiolo d'Alba, each vineyard parcel was fermented and aged separately before the best lots were chosen for the final blend. The wine spent 15 months in french oak tonneau and barriques before a further 12 months aging in bottle.
Tasting Note
Fresh raspberries and wild strawberries lead the way, with hints of cedar and dried flowers adding complexity. The tannins are polished just right, present but never pushy. It's drinking beautifully now but will reward a few years in the cellar.
Food Pairing
The fresh fruit and savoury floral notes of Orlando Abrigo's 2020 Nebbiolo d'Alba are especially striking against a deeply umami dish like a mushroom and caramelized onion flatbread. The cedar note picks up on the mushrooms while the vibrant raspberry and strawberry notes keep this pairing light and summery.