'One of Piedmont’s new superstars… these are wines of extraordinary complexity and breathtaking richness. The spectacular offerings from Pira's vineyards in and around Serralunga d’Alba are among the more riveting examples'
Robert Parker
Today, a Luigi Pira Barolo stands as a definitive benchmark for wines that perfectly showcase the classic characteristics of Serralunga—intense darkness and remarkable power, combined with a wealth of complexities and a vibrant style. With a commitment to sustainable vineyard management for decades, Pira employs practices such as cover cropping, the use of natural insecticides, and minimal sulphur application. This rigorous attention to detail, both in the vineyard and winery, produces the distinct individual qualities of the 'Margheria' and 'Marenca' Baroli, despite their proximity to one another. When it comes to Vigna Rionda, there is no doubt that this vineyard is the grand cru of the Langhe. Its altitude, exposure, and unique soil profile are critical factors that contribute to the wine's quality. Unsurprisingly, Vigna Rionda is Luigi Pira's flagship wine.
Current Pira family custodian Gianpaolo Pira, once a bold modernist in the early 2000s, now focuses on amplifying the site characteristics through a more nuanced approach in the cellar. His wines are impressively approachable for Serralunga, with the previously aggressive oak tannins now firmly subdued, even in new releases. The wines are expressive, delivering sweet and spicy fruit upfront, along with a tannin structure that unmistakably reflects their unique origins in the commune and vineyard.