Harvest began, but for Barolo it is time to present also to present the new vintages

The grape harvest has begun in the Langhe, among the vineyards on the Unesco-listed hills which inspired some of the most important pages of Italian literature, from Cesare Pavese to Beppe Fenoglio. But for Barolo, it is also time to present the new vintages. Making its debut is the first Municipal Mention of Barolo di Serralunga d’Alba 2023, one of the most prestigious Additional Geographical Mentions (Mgas), with producers gathered for “Serralunga Day” 2026. The edition No. 5 of the event took place yesterday at the Fontanafredda Narrating Village, the estate arisen from the love story between Italy first king, Vittorio Emanuele II, and Rosa Vercellana, the “Beautiful Rosina”, to whom it was gifted, and which today belongs to the Farinetti family in the heart of the Langhe (WineNews is currently in the area to gather harvest impressions for a video which will be published soon, ed). The event featured discussions with critics, industry professionals, and the media around the “Manifesto”, the portrait of the vintage, as well as with producers of another iconic Italian red wine, Brunello di Montalcino. For the first time, together they also met enthusiasts of the “king” of Italian wines.
““Serralunga Day” has grown alongside the community of producers - from Alessandro Rivetto to Angelo Negro, from Anselma to Cantina del Nebbiolo, from Cascina Adelaide to Ca’ Rome’, from Damilano to Domenico Clerico, from Ettore Germano to Ferdinando Principiano, from Fontanafredda to Franco Boasso, from Garesio to Giovanni Rosso, from Luigi Baudana to Luigi Vico, from Mauro Veglio to Palladino, from Paolo Manzone to Pico Maccario, from Podere Gagliassi to Tenuta Cucco, from Tenuta Rocca to Villadoria and Vite Colte - and, today it represents an event capable of telling the story of the territory through its wines, but also through the people and relationships which shape its identity - underlined Andrea Farinetti - the friendship with Montalcino, and specifically with Brunello, broadens this narrative by creating a dialogue between two territories which, despite their differences, share a strong identity and an extraordinary ability to look toward the future. We want to continue growing this opportunity for exchange by bringing together producers, professionals, journalists, and wine lovers, creating occasions to tell the story of the value and complexity of our wine communities beyond any single vintage. For us, it is a concrete way to contribute to the local community by encouraging encounters and wine culture through what this territory knows how to do and through its ability to open itself to those who, like us, have a clear and practical vision for the future of quality winemaking”.
Following an introduction dedicated to the history and ethical dimension of Serralunga d’Alba and the Langhe, in memory of Carlo Petrini, founder of Slow Food - arisen in Bra 40 years ago, which moved the first steps in Montalcino, ed - delivered by Luca Martinotti, vicepresident of Slow Food Italy, and Paolo Tibaldi, co-author with Petrini of the book “Vite di Langa”, the event continued with a blind preview tasting of the 2023 vintage. Guided by Master of Wine Gabriele Gorelli, alongside Master of Wine Andrea Lonardi and Canadian wine writer and critic Michaela Morris, the tasting portrayed a 2023 Barolo from Serralunga d’Alba shaped by a complex climatic season. According to the panel, the vintage offers “an unexpected freshness in the glass, accompanied by balance and savory minerality. The structure is precise, supported by remarkable juiciness and textured, crunchy tannins, while the palate reveals immediate drinkability without sacrificing depth or long-term aging potential. Energy, rhythm, savory tension, and enjoyment define a dynamic vintage capable of expressing with clarity the strength and identity of Serralunga d’Alba”.
“The fifth edition of Serralunga Day confirms the strong interest shown by the entire sector, including media, trade professionals, and consumers, in the Municipal Mentions of Barolo because they express the territory in a deep way while also highlighting its accessibility”, said Sergio Germano, president of Consorzio del Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani.
The masterclass “The potential of time: two parallel lines that converge over time” brought together two of the most important expressions of Italian wine. Fourteen Barolos from the great Crus of Serralunga d’Alba and 14 Brunello di Montalcino - from Argiano to Banfi, from Camigliano to Caprili, from Carpineto to Casanuova delle Cerbaie, from Col d’Orcia to Corte Pavone, from Croce di Mezzo to Ferrero, from La Fortuna to Palazzo, from Podere Brizio to Poggio Antico, from Querce Bettina to Tassi and Uccelliera - were presented through a succession of vintages reaching back to the 1990s, offering participants a privileged perspective on the ability of both wines to evolve over time. “The tasting highlighted, through decades of bottle history, both the differences and similarities between two geographically distant territories, united by a strong identity, deeply rooted winemaking cultures, and above all by the ability of their wines to withstand the test of time without losing their distinctive character”, The collaboration between Consorzio del Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani and Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, launched during the previous edition and further strengthened in 2026, has thus taken on a new dimension: not merely a meeting between two denominations, but a genuine journey of cultural and winemaking exchange.
The Portfolio Tasting then brought together, in a single tasting experience, the producers of Barolo from the Municipality of Serralunga d’Alba and a selection of Brunello di Montalcino producers. This year, for the first time, the event was also opened to wine enthusiasts, giving them the opportunity to meet directly with around 400 restaurateurs and wine lovers. “The joint presence of Barolo and Brunello confirmed the international character of Serralunga Day and the producers’ commitment to creating opportunities for dialogue which go beyond the boundaries of individual denominations”.
According to Giacomo Bartolommei, president of Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, “returning to Serralunga means giving continuity to a stimulating exchange and bringing together different experiences, sensibilities, and visions, all united by the same attention to terroir and quality. Montalcino and the Langhe are, in fact, two highly suited and strongly distinctive wine regions that have built, over time, a heritage recognized and valued throughout the world. Meeting again for the second consecutive year means transforming an encounter into a journey: an opportunity to interpret ongoing changes together and strengthen the ability of Italy great denominations to present themselves to international markets with authority and consistency”.
Finally, the Charity Dinner, “Serralunga Meets Montalcino in Magnum,” was held in the charming setting of Fontanafredda’s Garden del Lago. Guests enjoyed the wines of 25 Barolo producers from the Municipality of Serralunga d’Alba and 17 Brunello di Montalcino producers, all presented in magnum bottles from the 2022 vintage. The wines were paired with dishes prepared by the Michelin-starred Guido Ristorante led by chef Ugo Alciati, as well as by Osteria Tre Case and Enoteca Centro Storico, in a gastronomic journey designed to celebrate these two prestigious Italian denominations. As tradition dictates, the dinner combined fine dining and large-format wines with an important charitable objective: all proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Accademia della Vigna, a local project dedicated to the education and professional development of vineyard workers, with the aim of promoting skilled employment, independence, and social sustainability within the region.
“Serralunga Day” therefore confirms itself as a moment of reflection and dialogue which brings together territories, producers, and communities, demonstrating how wine can build relationships and, over time, tell the story of the identity of the places from which it originates.