Bruno Giacosa

History

Bruno Giacosa, born in 1929 in Neive, Piedmont, began his winemaking career at the age of 13, working in the cellar with his father and grandfather. He joined the family business at 15, representing the third generation of his Langhe winemaking family. Giacosa's early years were spent sourcing grapes for his family's business and later for other wineries in the region, honing his discerning standards and ability to recognize the best vineyards.

In 1960, Giacosa started his own company, Casa Vinicola Bruno Giacosa, and soon became famous for his golden palate and ability to recognize superior vineyards. He introduced single-vineyard bottlings of Barolo and Barbaresco, a pioneering move in the region. His first single-vineyard wine was a Barbaresco from the Santo Stefano cru in 1964.

Giacosa continued to source grapes until 1982, when he finally acquired his first vineyard, Falletto di Serralunga. Over the years, he expanded his holdings to include Asili and Rabaja in Barbaresco. Despite his success, Giacosa was known for his strict standards, often relegating subpar vintages to bulk wine and reserving his best wines with red labels, making them highly collectible.

Bruno Giacosa passed away in 2018, but his legacy continues through his daughter Bruna, who has upheld his winemaking philosophy and ensures that each distinguished site produces unique and articulate wines.

Terroir

Bruno Giacosa's wines are deeply rooted in the terroir of Piedmont, specifically in the regions of Barolo and Barbaresco. The vineyards he worked with, including those he eventually purchased, such as Falletto in Barolo and Asili and Rabajà in Barbaresco, are renowned for their unique terroir. The soils in these areas, particularly in Neive, have a high proportion of clay, which contributes to the powerful and structured nature of the Barbarescos. The terroir of these vineyards is characterized by a combination of limestone and clay, which allows for the expression of the Nebbiolo grape's complex and elegant flavors. This terroir, combined with Giacosa's meticulous selection of fruit and traditional winemaking methods, has resulted in wines that are highly regarded for their intensity and sense of place. The specific terroir of each vineyard site is accentuated in Giacosa's single-cru bottlings, making each wine a reflection of true terroir.