Producer Portrait · Italy
Roberto Sarotto
Seven generations in the Langhe, and the largest wooden barrel in the world.
Get to know Roberto Sarotto
In 1820 Giuseppe Sarotto came over from Barbaresco to Neviglie. Seven generations later, Roberto Sarotto runs the estate together with his wife Aurora and their children Enrico and Elena. He is a trained oenologist, graduated in Alba in 1984, and still makes the wines himself today. Around 90 hectares of the estate's own vines are spread across Langhe, Monferrato and Gavi.
From diploma to his own Barolo
The turning point came in 1991: Roberto Sarotto bought a 20-hectare property in Barolo. By now this has grown to around 90 hectares, all owned by the family, with sites in Barolo, Novello, Neive, Mango and in Gavi. Two wineries process the harvest. About one million bottles are produced each year, four-fifths of which go to export.
Ai Fondatori, the largest wooden barrel in the world
On 2 July 2022, Guinness World Records certified a barrel of Slavonian oak with a capacity of 47,800 litres as the largest wooden wine barrel in the world. It was first filled with Barolo Riserva 2016. It bears the name «Ai Fondatori» in honour of Roberto's parents, Angelo and Maria. The new ageing cellar holds 63 further barrels ranging from 50 to 100 hectolitres.
Wines bearing the family's names
The Barbera is called «Elena», after the daughter born in 1998. The Langhe Rosso is called «Enrico I°», after the firstborn son. The Barbaresco Riserva from the Currà site has consistently received three red stars from Veronelli since the 2010 vintage. In the vineyard, the estate practises integrated pest management, though it is not certified organic.
Facts about the estate
- Country & Region
- Italy · Piemont
- Family since
- 1820 in Neviglie, seven generations
- Vineyard area
- Around 90 hectares in own possession
- Sites
- Barolo, Novello, Neive, Mango, Gavi
- Special feature
- World's largest wooden wine cask, 47,800 litres
Grape varieties
- Nebbiolo
- Barbera
- Dolcetto
- Moscato
- Arneis
- Cortese
«Caring for the vineyards is one of our highest goals, for we are convinced: good wine is made in the vineyard and matures in the cellar.»
Wines from Roberto Sarotto
Personally tasted and selected, direct from our warehouse in Ramsei, delivered throughout Switzerland.
Curious about Italy as a wine country?
History, grape varieties and regions: told concisely in the stories of the wine countries.