E. Pira & Figli 2021 Barbera d'Alba Superiore Barolo, Italia

Region: Piedmont
Appellation: Barbera D'Alba Superiore DOC
Country: Italy

Grape: Barbera
Vegan: Yes
Organic: Yes
Low Intervention: Yes

From organic Mosconi, Ravera, and Gabutti vineyards in Monforte d’Alba and Serralunga, and a mix of clay lime marls around 350m, this was fermented in stainless, and aged 12 months in French barriques. Purple florals, blueberries, and blackberries are carried with tart bright currant acidity, and framed with fine, softly plush tannins. Shining freshness throughout this young Barbera makes it feel far lighter on its feet than the 14.5% would suggest. A charmer.

Chiara Boschis has an incredible story. In a region where women winemakers are exceptionally rare, she has built a collection of wines that is the envy of many, becoming a full-fledged member of the highly respected Barolo Boys.

E. Pira e Figli estate was passed from father to son for centuries, until the late 1980’s when Luigi Pira passed away. At that time his sisters felt that they could no longer maintain the estate. Hoping to keep the tradition alive they sold the estate to Chiara Boschis, whose family had long been friends of the Piras.

Chiara now has eleven hectares of vines under cultivation in the communes of Barolo, Serralunga and Monforte d’Alba. She retains the honor of the first female winemaker in the Langhe, an honour she worked hard to achieve back in the 1990s. She is, by necessity, of unquestionable confidence, determination, patience and charm. She ran the estate essentially by herself for twenty years, consistently producing stunning, highly lauded, and ageworthy wines. In 2010, her brother Giorgio, his wife Daniella, and their three daughters joined Chiara at E. Pira, which provided not only a welcome division of labor, but also a next generation of female successors., Beatrice, Elena, and Vittoria Boschis, Giorgio and Daniella’s daughters, are all working in the winery with Chiara.

Hers was the first estate in Cannubi to convert to organic farming, and she has since worked tirelessly over the last few years to convince the rest of the growers in the district to become organic as well.

E. Pira & Figli - Chiara Boschis was awarded the Wine Advocate's Green Emblem in recognition of Chiara’s sustainability efforts.