The producers we work with are very happy with the 2006 harvest. Winter was cold with snow, spring was rainy: this determined a good water reservoir for the vines that did not suffer hydric stress. In nearly all areas it was hot from mid June throughout July. August was in general cooler with a few rains. Weather was good and warm in September and October. All producers reported that it is an incredible vintage for Dolcetto: very intense colour and super structure. The forecast for 2006 wines is definitely good, but as malo-lactic fermentation is not over yet, we will write another report at the beginning of 2007 with more detailed information.

Castiglion Falletto “…harvest went extremely well, we picked without interruptions…Dolcetto and Barbera are very good, Nebbiolo is well balanced, acidity is good, beautiful colour, very elegant and pleasant. 2006 is more a vintage for elegant and pleasant wines than for structured wines. ..We had no problems with fermentation. We picked white grapes at the end of August, first two-three days of September, Dolcetto 8-10 September, Barbera 25-28-30 September, Nebbiolo was picked from beginning of October (harvest of this varietal lasted for 15-18 days)…….” (Enrico Scavino owner of Azienda Agricola Paolo Scavino)

Monforte ”..I cannot remember such a good harvest as this one. It was excellent for all varietals: flawless and ripe clusters.Well-structured Dolcetto with good alcohol percentage and good colour. Considering the harvest, 2006 should be a great vintage, although we have to see how the wine evolves…Dolcetto was picked on the 10th of September, Barbera on the 20th of September and Nebbiolo starting from the 5-6 October…” (Riccardo Seghesio co-owner of Azienda Agricola Aldo e Riccardo Seghesio) ”…great vintage. All varietals were of high quality: ripening was even, good balance. Even ripening and good alcohol percentage equals good structure. At the beginning of August we thought that 2006 would be similar to 2003, but the rest of August was cool (colder at night) so that ripening of clusters evened out. Due to the diverse climate the last four vintages were all good, but very different one to the other… We started picking Dolcetto on the 8th of September, followed by Barbera and Nebbiolo. We finished on the 11th October” (Massimo Conterno assistant to Domenico Clerico owner of Azienda Agricola Domenico Clerico).

La Morra: ”…harvest was good. Wines are well structured, complex, acidity is not too high, pleasant (although we have to see how they evolve). Incredible vintage for Dolcetto: super colour and structure. Also Barbera is exceptional, especially Barbera made from the older vines. We started on the 8-9 September with white varietals, followed by Dolcetto, Barbera and Nebbiolo. We finished on the 6-7 October…” (Matteo Molino son of Mauro owner of Azienda Agricola Mauro Molino)

Barolo “…harvest went very well. We picked from the 28 till the 30th of September. Quality is excellent, wines are complex with good polyphenolic content. Harvest was a bit early, ripening of clusters was very balanced. Super results for Dolcetto and Barbera…” (Chiara Boschis owner of Azienda Agricola E. Pira & Figli).

Serralunga “…it was a good harvest. We picked a bit early. I have never seen such Dolcetto! Rains of mid September balanced acidity in particular of Barbera and Nebbiolo after the high temperature of July and September. Fermentation was without problems. Excellent forecast for the 2006 vintage (similar to 2005)….” (Giampaolo Pira of Azienda Agricola Pira Luigi & Figli) ”…excellent vintage! Even ripening, although harvest was early. Fantastic Dolcetto. Fermentation without problems, good colours. Barbera: good colour. Nebbiolo for Barolo: good alcohol percentage, good colour. We started picking Dolcetto the 5-6 September, Barbera and Nebbiolo end of September, beginning of October…” (Paolo Manzone owner of Azienda Agricola Paolo Manzone)

Barbaresco “…we are very happy. Production was about 25% less than the total potential: we carried out green harvest 3-4 times. It was a fast harvest, normally one person picks one ton of grapes a day, this year each person picked 2 tons. This because clusters were large and after green harvest only the clusters that were to be picked remained on the vines. From mid August and during September there was temperature range between day and night (warm during the day and cool at night) which favoured acidity and aromas in wines. ….Ripening of clusters was excellent and at harvest the grapes were flawless. The wines are very pleasant, with beautiful colours, very well balanced. Excellent forecast, although it is still a bit early. Dolcetto: we never had a vintage like this one! ..Barbera is similar to the 2005 and 2004 vintages….” (Sergio Minuto owner of Azienda Agricola Moccagatta)

Neive “..excellent harvest. It was warm (without excessive heat) during the summer. After mid August there was some rain, with cooler temperatures at night that encouraged development of aromas and ripening of Nebbiolo. It was a straightforward harvest without holdups, except for a couple of rainy days between the harvest of Barbera and the one of Nebbiolo. Fermentation was very regular and even. Forecast: good vintage with well-structured wines, good aromatics and suitable for long ageing. Dolcetto and Barbera: good alcohol percentage. Nebbiolo always has a good alcohol percentage due to green harvest…”(Rino Sottimano, owner of Azienda Agricola Sottimano)

Castagnole delle Lanze, Costigliole d’Asti, Grinzane Cavour, Neive, Treiso: “…it was an extraordinary harvest for the reds, that will go down in history, the wines have beatiful colour, are very structured, have a good alcohol percentage, and will be suitable for long ageing……..”(Pinuccio Gatti of Azienda Agricola La Spinetta)

Roero: The summer in 2006 was very warm and dry and warmer than 2005. Grape yield was average. Ripening time was also average. This vintage has a very high potential for all varietals…Ripening of clusters was even. Beautiful colours for Nebbiolo. The harvest of Arneis was very positive: the wines have a good alcohol percentage and good acidity. We started picking Arneis at the beginning of September, Barbera on the 20-21st of September and we finished Nebbiolo on the 7-8th of October..” (Luca Rostagno Cellar Master of Azienda Agricola Matteo Correggia)

Romagnano Sesia (Ghemme DOCG) “….beautiful harvest. The grape yields were the following (we carried out green harvest): Nebbiolo for regular Ghemme 5 tons/hectare, Nebbiolo for the single vineyard Ghemme 4,5 tons/hectare, Vespolina 5 tons/hectare, Nebbiolo (for Nebbiolo Colline Novaresi) 7 tons/hectare. Alcohol percentage was good, beautiful colours, Vespolina and Barbera have particularly intense colour… We had snow in winter, few rains in summer. In June and July it was hot, August was fresh with rain at the end of the month and at the beginning of September and this balanced the ripening of clusters. September and October were warm. Our area is quite ventilated and it is protected by the Alps. We started picking on the 27th of September and we finished on the 11th of October.” (Giorgio Ioppa of Azienda Agricola F.lli Ioppa)

Gattinara “…. We had cool weather in May till the 15th of June. From mid June till the beginning of August it was hot without rain. The climate changed in August and the temperature never went over 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). The first ten days of September were hot. The climate influenced production (that was 10-15 % lower than in 2005), but not quality that was high, ripening of clusters was even. We produced all wines of the range with good results. 2006 wines have a good alcohol percentage, a good and complex nose, beautiful colour….” (Alberto Zoppis of Azienda Agricola Antoniolo)

Dogliani “…It was a warm year without much rain. We covered the vineyards with nets so that we did not have any damage due to hail. Dolcetto has good alcohol percentage, it is very structured and has an intense colour. Also Barbera has a good alcohol percentage. We are very satisfied….” (Mario Boschis of Azienda Agricola Francesco Boschis)

Diano d’Alba “… The weather was dry during the harvest. The warm climate from mid August throughout September balanced the ripening of grapes, so that it was complete, even and there was no rot. Perfect clusters!…It was an extraordinary vintage for Dolcetto, that will go down in history….Very intense colour, good alcohol percentage, very structured. Excellent results for Barbera and Nebbiolo, this vintage is similar to 2004 and 2005. …Very good forecast for the 2006 wines. Dolcetto was picked starting on the 20th September, Nebbioli starting on the 8-10 October… (Claudio Alario (Azienda Agricola Alario)