Battaglio
Piemonte
Gianluca Battaglio loves his land. But he was taught that love from his father and grandfather. They were talented farmers that stood out for making the impossible, possible. Gianluca’s grandfather was awarded a knighthood by the Italian government because he found a way to cultivate peach trees that consistently grew quality peaches every season. A huge achievement at the time. His natural farming techniques were exported abroad. Fast forward a couple of generations and Gianluca has taken his grandfather’s natural farming talents and using them in his vineyards. And the results are worthy of knighthood!
From The Beaten Path To The Beating Heart Of Barbaresco
Why You’ll Love Battaglio
In Northwestern Italy there is a little town called Vezza d’Alba. Rich in history and culture, you can find traces of prehistoric tribes from the Stone Age to ancient Roman roads. The Romans used the area as a vacation getaway from the big cities. They found it to be a beautiful place and rich in agriculture.
The natural environment, as well as the agricultural landscape, are very varied and contrasted in the different areas of the municipal territory. Vineyards also dot the other Vezzese hills with steep slopes. In the valley floor, mixed crops of fruit and vegetables and corn prevail. The eastern area is completely different, in terms of position and crops, characterized by gentler and more prolonged hills: there are vineyards but, above all, orchards (a variety of per highly appreciated by gourmets takes its name from the Madernassa locality) and horticultural crops.
Vezza d’Alba is famous for its white truffles which are hunted down by trained dogs in the forest. It’s one of the most cherished ingredients on earth.
And above all else Vezza d’Alba is known for its noble wines. Nebbiolo, considered one of the greatest wine grapes in the world is the law of the land here.
When there are noble wines you find noble families which have been inhabiting this ancient village since Medieval times.
There’s a long history of winemaking where the indigenous Piemontese grapes grow and are well-respected throughout the world like Nebbiolo and Barbera.
It’s in this town where the Battaglio family have lived for centuries.
In the early twentieth century Giovanni Battaglio was awarded “Cavaliere del Lavoro” which is the equivalent of becoming a Knight. He was awarded this high national honor for his great work in agriculture which included wine.
His commitment to producing quality products from the land continues with his grandson Gianluca Battaglio. Gianluca is a certified oenologist who masterfully blends ancient winemaking techniques with only the modern techniques that are natural. He began his oenology studies in 1994 at the renowned and ancient “Umberto I” Agricultural Institute, specialized in Viticulture and Oenology in Alba, becoming an Oenologist in 2000. Important work experience and internships, in those years, were carried out in the vineyards of Bordeaux, in the area of Saint Emilion and Libourne in contact with productions of famous French wines such as Lalande-de-Pomerol, Lussac Saint –Emillion, Montagne-Saint-Emillion, Pomerol, etc., in the Langhe at the Marchesi di Barolo winery, an important and historic Barolo company and the Produttori del Barbaresco winery, a historic Barbaresco company. After a short time, while following the family business, he decides to develop and refine his studies at the University of Turin at the Faculty of Viticulture and Oenology. He graduated in 2006 with the important title of Enologist and in the same year he obtained the title of Sommelier at the Italian Sommelier Association. Of fundamental importance in that period are the experiences at the prestigious Az. Luciano Sadrone in Barolo and at the best known analysis laboratory in Alba, Enocontrol.
Here he begins his working career in the family business. Since 2007 he has dedicated himself to the production part and in 2009 the first international exhibitions, exports, important reviews and gratifications begin. Of fundamental importance in that period are the experiences at the prestigious Az. Luciano Sadrone in Barolo and at the best known analysis laboratory in Alba, Enocontrol. Here he begins his working career in the family business. Since 2007 he has dedicated himself to the production part and in 2009 the first international exhibitions, exports, important reviews and gratifications begin. Of fundamental importance in that period are the experiences at the prestigious Az. Luciano Sadrone in Barolo and at the best known analysis laboratory in Alba, Enocontrol. Here he begins his working career in the family business. Since 2007 he has dedicated himself to the production part and in 2009 the first international exhibitions, exports, important reviews and gratifications begin.
