Day 2 in the Langhe led us to Serralunga d’Alba, to the estate of Enrico Rivetto, joined by his wife and daughter. Theirs is the first Demeter-certified biodynamic winery in the Langhe — a place where the vineyard is not a machine, but a living system. Every gesture here follows the rhythm of the earth. As we walked through the rows, Enrico explained his agroforestry project: new nebbiolo vines are planted alongside fruit trees, which provide shade and help regulate the soil temperature during summer.
Among the vines wander three donkeys — the sweetest, Filippa, seems to know every visitor by heart.
Animals, cover crops and trees are all part of a single, breathing organism that sustains itself.
The training garden and biodynamic practice In his experimental garden, Enrico studies how to treat plant diseases using only natural and biodynamic methods.
He works with preparations 500 and 501, which nourish the soil and guide the leaves toward the sun. It’s a kind of dialogue between energy, patience and observation. Wrapped in thick fog, we entered the Crutin, the underground cellar carved in tuff where the wines rest quietly in darkness. The highlight was the Barolo Briccolina 2019 — silky, balsamic, deeply structured. We also tasted the 2010, 2014 and 2018 vintages, each revealing a different characters: power and longevity for the 2010; slim Siluette for 2014 and a more floral touch. Then came a nebbiolo fermented in terracotta amphorae, vivid and pure, and a classic-method sparkling wine aged 60 months on the lees, full of depth and freshness.
