Location: Priocca, Roero, Italy

Based in the small village of Priocca, home to vineyards and hazelnut trees, Bricco Ernesto aka. Renato Vezza is making tiny amounts of great wines from his grandfather’s vineyards. Back in the day “Ernesto “ refused to sell the vineyards because he wanted to leave them to his grandson, which is why the wine is called Bricco Ernesto. Renato is a former sommelier (he worked at Marco Pierre White and other spots in London) which has allowed him to develop a keen sense of taste and very goal-oriented way of producing wine.

The approach is straight-forward: Do the cleanest possible work in the vineyard and cellar. The vineyards have been well-kept and are situated on top of a hill with plenty of wind, sun, and cool nights which keep the vines very healthy. Fermentation is in cement with indigenous yeasts, and aging is done in used barriques. One of the most energetic and lively expressions of Nebbiolo coming out of Piedmont at the moment.