11 Sep Winery on Lake Maggiore
The only winery on Lake Maggiore
It’s not easy to find the “nano winery” (as Alberto, the co-owner, calls his gem) Cascina Piano near Angera.
A narrow road, several junctions where it is not entirely clear which way to go, but after a final steep, narrow driveway we find the small parking lot of Francesca and Alberto’s winery.
Francesca’s father Franco Berrini started growing the famous Nebbiolo grape variety here again in 2003, one of the finest grape varieties in Italy, which thrives particularly well on the barren southern slopes of the Varese region.
The name Nebbiolo comes from the Italian word Nebbia – fog, which is often found here at harvest time.
The beautiful, almost black grape is famous for its special storability, which is particularly pleasing to collectors of fine wines.
As a rule, the wine is stored in barrels for at least two years and can then continue to mature in the bottle for a further four to 20 years without any problems.
Such old wines from the Nebbiolo grape variety achieve top prices worldwide.
But back to Angera: after Francesca, the founder’s daughter, had worked at her father’s winery for many years out of pure joy and conviction, she decided to take over the winery together with her husband Alberto.
The two of them actually lived in Milan, Francesca worked as an architect and Alberto as a programmer.
But now they are completely happy here in Angera on their mini-vineyard in the shadow of the castle.
“Yes, you need a lot of patience when you grow Nebbiolo,” says Alberto during the tour, which he has planned especially for my friend Brigitte and me.
“Fortunately, I can still do a bit of programming from here, so we don’t have too much pressure.”
They show us every nook and cranny of their production facility, explain the different production and storage methods of the seven wines – four red and three white – and insist that we taste them extensively.
We don’t need to be told twice, but I have to hold back a little so that I can maneuver my jeep back up the steep path undamaged.
However, a crate of the delicious San Quirico ends up in the trunk – for later!
Francesca and Alberto are happy to welcome visitors – with prior notice – and also offer guided tours for individuals.
So that nobody feels obliged to buy anything, you pay 25 euros per person including a tasting of the four best wines.
I think that’s a fair deal!
If you simply want to buy a few bottles from this special winery, the best place to go is Enoteca Bottazzi, one of the most renowned enotecas in the Varese region.
Contact: Web (also in English): www.cascinapiano.it
info@cascinapiano.it
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