2018 Boniperti Rosa di Sera Rosé

Region: Alto Piemonte > Colline Novaresi > Italy 

Grapes: Nebbiolo

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: organic farming, clay, sand and gravel soils, from just 1 hectare of vines, hand picked, 24 hours on skins, fermented in stainless steel, rests in stainless steel barrels, bottled in March after the vintage and rested in bottle for two months, Lightly filtered. Minimal SO2; 12% ABV 

Winemaker: Cristiano Garella  

Cristiano Garella is known as the boy wonder of the Alto Piemonte. A region that was forgotten after World War II – literally, vineyard plantings are just 5-10% of what they used to be - it is just now coming back into fashion and drawing the interest of the global wine community. Cristiano, who grew up in the area, became fascinated as a kid with the old, un-farmed vineyards he would stumble across while walking his dog. Flash forward to 2020, by which time he has made wine from nearly all of the DOCs in the area and worked with all of the indigenous varieties, from Croatina to Uva Rara – a remarkable feat considering he is barely 30.  

He's famous for the big-boy Barolos, but we're partial to his lovely Rosa di Sera rosato (which means rosé of the night) made from Nebbiolo –  the grape of Barolo, and generally reserved for producer's top wine. But recognizing its attributes (light pigment, high acid) he pulled some fruit to make a rosé, which turns out to be a killer food wine with those alluring red Nebbiolo fruit notes coupled with some grip.  Beautiful light pink with garnet highlights and flavors of watermelon and pomegranate, this wine is more serious than your poolside pink, but we'll happily crush a bottle with some salty cheese or roast chicken!