Azienda Agricola Ronchi traces its roots to the late 19th century in Barbaresco, when Carlo Rocca—great-grandfather of current owner Giancarlo Rocca—began cultivating the prized Ronchi cru, an amphitheater-shaped hillside on the appellation's eastern edge that would become the family’s lifeblood. His son Giacomo expanded the vineyards, selling premium Nebbiolo to local wineries, while grandsons Alfonso and Albino split operations in the 1960s; Alfonso boldly began estate-bottling, earning early acclaim in 1975 when his Barbaresco was selected as a national prototype at Alba’s AIS Congress. Today, fourth-generation Giancarlo Rocca farms 16 hectares sustainably across Ronchi and nearby sites, vinifying only estate fruit with hands-on care—no herbicides, minimal tillage, and a nod to amphora trials—preserving the UNESCO-protected Langhe terroir of limestone marl and clay that cradles their home and cellars.

The 2022 Barbaresco “Ronchi” channels this legacy from 50-year-old vines hugging the family farm at 250 meters, southeast-exposed for dawn warmth and diurnal cooling amid the drought-challenged vintage. Hand-harvested Nebbiolo undergoes 12–15 days of native fermentation and maceration in steel, then rests 22–24 months in large Slavonian oak casks (standard Ronchi) or a barrique-botti mix for select lots, yielding a vivid, balanced expression of Ronchi’s compact marl: floral lift, red cherry, and herb-inflected finesse with ripe tannins and surprising freshness despite 2022’s heat.

Why You'll Love It

• Ronchi cru pedigree from vines circling the Rocca family home delivers classic Barbaresco silk—rose petal, wild strawberry, and balsamic herbs—with 2022’s concentration tamed by amphitheater cooling for early appeal.

• Fourth-generation soul shines in sustainable, hands-off winemaking: native yeasts, extended cask aging, and no fining yield pure Nebbiolo transparency, mid-90s potential in a “surprising” vintage.

• Value anchor for collectors: Ronchi’s limestone-clay depth rivals pricier neighbors like Rabajà, built for 10–15 year evolution yet vivid now, embodying Langhe history without flash.

How to Enjoy It

• Decant 2–3 hours or uncork overnight to unlock florals; serve at 60-64°F alongside braised veal, wild boar ragù, or aged Pecorino for tannin-fruit harmony.

• Approachable young through 2028 with a decant, but cellar undisturbed through 2040

• Pair autumnal Piedmontese plates: risotto ai funghi or tajarin al ragù—its sappy acidity cuts richness while grippy structure lingers.