A journey of research to authentically express both the appellation and the winery’s signature style
Tenuta Carretta, the historic winery based in Piobesi d’Alba, continues its commitment to elevating Piedmont’s great appellations with a dedicated project focused on Nizza DOCG. This initiative strengthens the Miroglio family’s vision of investing in the region’s most prestigious wine-growing areas, building on the estate’s historic vineyards in Langhe, Roero, Alta Langa, and, since 2012, Nizza, bringing Tenuta Carretta’s expertise to the appellation that embodies the highest expression of Barbera’s quality. Nizza DOCG has been the focus of a meticulous research and winemaking journey at Tenuta Carretta, one defined by precision, patience, and a conscious, tailored approach. The result is the release of two distinct labels: Nizza DOCG Bricco Manera 2021, which highlights the appellation’s fresher, more immediate character, and Nizza DOCG Riserva Mora di Sassi 2020, emphasizing its depth, complexity, and aging potential.
“For Tenuta Carretta, entering the Nizza DOCG appellation meant embarking on an extensive study to fully understand the potential of each vineyard,” explains Paolo Scaiola, Technical Director and winemaker at Tenuta Carretta. “We have dedicated years to getting to know this territory, identifying the most suitable plots among our 40 hectares of vineyards, for a total of 7 hectares. The next step was to define a style that respected both the typicity of the appellation and the identity of our winery. Nizza is an appellation that is gaining increasing recognition and value, and we are proud to contribute to its growth with two wines that express different nuances of excellence.
THE NIZZA APPELLATION
The story of Nizza DOCG is rooted in decades of research and selection, beginning in 2002 with the creation of the “Nizza” subzone within the Barbera d’Asti Superiore DOCG appellation. The goal was clear: to highlight the most authentic and expressive side of Barbera by focusing on a more defined, high-potential growing area. A pivotal moment came in 2014, when Nizza officially became its own DOCG. With this recognition came a strict production code designed to protect its identity and reinforce its deep connection to the land. The regulations significantly narrowed the production area to just 18 municipalities – compared to the 169 permitted for Barbera d’Asti – and imposed lower yields per hectare.
“Nizza is the pinnacle of Barbera,” explains Paolo Scaiola. “It’s the result of a long, carefully considered journey to elevate the variety, deeply rooted in a territory with a strong sense of identity. By regulation, vineyards must be planted on hillside slopes with exclusively southwest or southeast exposures. Yields are strictly limited to a maximum of 70 quintals per hectare – an essential factor for Barbera, a naturally high-yielding variety that requires significant thinning and meticulous vineyard management to reach its full potential.”
