Summer brings the release of the new vintages of Massolino’s most representative classic wines: Dolcetto d’Alba 2025, Barbera d’Alba 2025, Langhe Nebbiolo 2024, Barolo 2022, and Barbaresco 2023.
Together, these wines express the balance, precision, and distinctive identity of the Langhe, each offering its own interpretation of this remarkable wine-growing region.
Barbaresco Project
There are places that shape who we are. For our family, that place is Serralunga d’Alba, where our roots run deep and where we have always crafted our Barolo. Yet, a true love for one’s land never stops at the borders of a single village.
For many years, our gaze had turned beyond those hills, towards the Barbaresco appellation. We were not simply looking to expand our range with another denomination; we were driven by a profound admiration for the elegance and finesse of a wine we have always considered another outstanding expression of the Langhe. We were searching for the right vineyard, the right opportunity to embrace a new and ambitious challenge.
Sometimes, life has a way of bringing unexpected opportunities.
It all began one evening during a friendly conversation with Bernardino, a longtime friend who shares our passion for classic cars. As we talked, it became clear that our paths were about to cross. Without a family successor to carry on his life’s work, Bernardino was looking for someone who would care for his vineyards with the same dedication he had devoted to them for decades. Those vineyards lie in some of the finest sites of Neive.
One look was enough to realise that a long-held dream was becoming reality.
Just a few days later, the agreement was signed. With the 2019 harvest, the Massolino family produced its very first Barbaresco. Our debut took shape in two distinct wines: Barbaresco and our interpretation of one of the appellation’s most historic and prestigious vineyards, Albesani.
This is more than an expansion of our winery. It is the fulfilment of a dream and the meeting of two extraordinary territories that we deeply admire.
We invite you to discover this new chapter in the Massolino story.
The Whites: Chardonnay and Riesling 2024
Alongside the new vintages of our red wines, we are also pleased to introduce the 2024 releases of our Chardonnay and Riesling—two distinct yet complementary expressions of the remarkable potential of white wines from the Langhe.
We would also like to share the story behind our Chardonnay project. In the words of Franco Massolino:
“My passion for wine began in childhood, having grown up in a family whose life has always been deeply connected to viticulture. Guided and encouraged by my father, I studied oenology at the prestigious Umberto I School of Alba. During those formative years, alongside my love for our historic appellations, I developed a deep admiration for the world’s great international grape varieties, particularly the extraordinary Chardonnays of Burgundy, true icons of fine winemaking.
In 1990, after completing my studies, I joined the family winery full-time. I was twenty years old and, while deeply respecting a family tradition that already spanned more than a century, I felt a strong desire to create a project of my own—one that would fully reflect my personal vision. With the youthful determination that often challenges established traditions, I began discussing the idea with my family. In the end, my father and my uncle Renato placed their trust in me and gave me permission to produce, for the first time in the history of the Massolino family, a white wine made from Chardonnay.”
The beginning: the 1992 vintage
“I selected a small parcel of seven vineyard rows in a cool site, ideal for achieving perfect ripeness while preserving vibrant acidity. In 1992, the first two barriques were born. Although the vintage itself was not particularly memorable from a climatic standpoint, for me it represented the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.
As this was an entirely new venture for our winery, and without the guidance of external consultants, those first steps were driven by a spirit of experimentation. The inaugural vintage underwent full malolactic fermentation and was aged exclusively in new French oak barriques. The result was a wine of great structure and power, strongly marked by oak—interesting, but not yet displaying the elegance I was striving for.”
The pursuit of elegance
“From that first vintage to today, the journey has been one of continuous experimentation, learning and valuable exchanges with experienced colleagues. Over the years, we have profoundly refined our winemaking approach, gradually shaping a completely different style. Today, our Langhe Chardonnay is a wine defined by finesse, balance and freshness. It expresses remarkable elegance while retaining excellent ageing potential.
Looking back, I consider myself truly fortunate. I had the privilege of having a family who, after their understandable initial scepticism, supported me and allowed me to explore new paths. My greatest satisfaction today is seeing this wine appreciated not only by our longstanding supporters, but also by those who were once the most cautious about my ideas—first and foremost my father, who eventually came to embrace the vision of that slightly rebellious twenty-year-old driven by an immense passion for wine.”
A Look Ahead
Our next newsletter will arrive in September and will be dedicated to our Crus.
We will take a closer look at our historic vineyards, explore the different MGAs, and introduce the new vintages of the selections that best express the unique character of the Langhe’s greatest terroirs.
But that’s not all. We are also preparing a special surprise that we will unveil in our next edition—a project that is particularly close to our hearts and one we are truly excited to share with you.
See you in September,
The Massolino Team