History
In the 1980s Corradino dal Pozzo Carrega Malabaila, together with the oenologist and agronomist Valerio Alfredo Falletti, started ageing the wines produced on the property and pursuing high quality. The grapes were vinified in the cellars of the impressive castle of the estate. In 1990 a new cellar, following an avant guarde project, was built in Cascina Pradvaj, the present headquarters. An artificial hill was made over the cellar in order to keep the temperature inside even.
The estate is now managed by Costanza Carrega Malabaila, wife of Corradino after he passed away two years ago, and her daughter Lucrezia together with Valerio Falletti whose father also worked at Malabaila. Bear in mind that Lucrezia is the 65th generation of the family!
Low environmental impact viticulture is followed in the 22 hectares of vineyard, the soil of which is typical of the Roero, sandy-marly with many fossils. Clones of Arneis, Nebbiolo and Barbera are multiplied in an old vineyard.
Great attention is given to tradition, but Lucrezia and Valerio do not want this to be a limitation: the vinification cellar is extremely modern and the wines rest in French oak barriques, tonneaux and casks.
The total production is 100,000 bottles and the range consists in Roero DOCG, Roero Arneis DOCG (also in a “passito version”), Barbera d’Alba DOC, Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC and Birbèt (a biotype of Brachetto typical of the Roero, birbante meaning “naughty” in Italian) a slightly sparkling and sweet wine. The estate ha recently released two refined Piemonte Spumante Metodo Classico DOC: one a blend of Arneis and of Nebbiolo, the other a rosato (100% Nebbiolo). All the wines are extremely elegant, the Roero with pleasant cherry, rose and violet notes, the Roero Arneis delicate and complex. Birbét and Cardunaj (a single vineyard wine), both made with Brachetto grapes, one sweet the other dry, complete the range.
Year of establishment:1986
Average annual production:100,000 (bottles)
Total vineyard extension (hectares):22
Planted varietals and extension (hectares):Arneis - 6.5 ha
Barbera - 5.5 ha
Brachetto del Roero - 1 ha
Chardonnay - 1 ha
Favorita - 1.5 ha
Nebbiolo - 7 ha
Sauvignon - 0.5 ha
Vine training system:
Guyot
Cultivation method in the vineyard:grass is left on the aisles between the rows of vines
Type of viticulture:low environmental impact (certified by Suolo e Salute). For further info click on "Type of Viticulture"
Harvest period:beginning of September/end of October
Agronomist:Valerio Alfredo Falletti
Oenologist:Valerio Alfredo Falletti supported by Andrea Paglietti