Barolo: two seabeds, west to east
From La Morra across the Barolo valley and Castiglione Falletto to Serralunga, with the Miocene seafloor cut open beneath. Tap a layer to read it.
Swipe the plate sideways to see the whole section.
Schematic. Formation boundaries follow the published west-to-east sequence (ISPRA Carta Geologica d'Italia; Consorzio summary) but are hand-placed, with the beds drawn dipping gently west. The Diano sandstone is dated differently by different sources. Ground from AWS terrain data along La Morra to Serralunga. Rocche dell'Annunziata sits on the line; Arborina, Pugnane and Castelletto are projected from up to 2.6 km away, and Bricco delle Viole and Gramolere from about 3.5 km south. Line: 44.640 N 7.930 E to 44.600 N 8.020 E. MGA pins are approximate, and the dashed parcels lie off the line, so the ground drawn under them is only a guide; check against the Masnaghetti/Consorzio maps.
5 layers, youngest at the top
Single vineyards we pour from. Tap one on the plate.
What moves a Barolo from silk to grip
- West of the valley, Tortonian marl: softer, siltier, more water held, more perfume.
- East, Serravallian Lequio marl and Diano sandstone: harder, poorer, drier, more tannin.
- South- and south-west-facing slopes (sorì) ripen first; height and north faces give freshness.
- Cold air drains to the valley floors at night, so the mid-slopes stay warmer and the floors are left unplanted.
Did you knowThe Tortonian marl is named after Sant'Agata Fossili, a village near Tortona, where its fossil-rich beds were first described. The stage itself, Tortonian, is named after Tortona.
Pas Mal wines on this ground
La Morra: Rocche dell'Annunziata and Annunziata
- Barbera d'AlbaRenato Corino
- Barolo RiservaRenato Corino
- Barolo Rocche dell'AnnunziataRenato Corino
- Barolo del Comune di La MorraRenato Corino
- Dolcetto d'AlbaRenato Corino
Bricco delle Viole and Pugnane
- Barbera d'Alba Vigna PugnaneM. Marengo
- Barolo Bricco delle VioleM. Marengo
- Dolcetto d'AlbaM. Marengo
Monforte: Castelletto and Gramolere
- Barolo Castelletto DOCGCastello di Perno
- Barolo DOCGCastello di Perno
- Langhe Nebbiolo GramolereCastello di Perno
Sources: Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani, geology summary; ISPRA Carta Geologica d'Italia 1:100,000; Alessandro Masnaghetti, Barolo MGA (summaries); Berry Bros & Rudd on Rocche dell'Annunziata soils; winewithseth.com MGA pages; AWS Terrain Tiles.