Bel Colle is a winery in Verduno, the northernmost of the eleven Barolo communes, and one of the best-known names for the rare Pelaverga grape. Here you will find Barolo from the Monvigliero and Bussia vineyards, Barbaresco Gallina, Verduno Pelaverga, Alta Langa sparkling wine and a classic Barolo Chinato.
Bel Colle in Verduno: the winery on the ridge towards La Morra
Bel Colle was founded in the mid-1970s by the brothers Franco and Carlo Pontiglione together with Giuseppe Priola. The cellar sits on the ridge between Verduno and La Morra, a few minutes from Alba. For decades the house style was shaped by the oenologist Paolo Torchio, and his pupil Mario Albrito has worked at the estate since the early 2000s.
Since 2015 Bel Colle has belonged to the Bosio family of Santo Stefano Belbo, winemakers for four generations. The family has invested in buying and tending vineyards, and today the estate covers about ten hectares in Verduno, the wider Langhe and the Astigiano. Farming is sustainable, grapes are picked by hand and pressed gently.
Bel Colle Barolo from Monvigliero and Bussia, Barbaresco from Gallina
The heart of the range is Barolo made from Nebbiolo. Barolo Monvigliero comes from the site often called the grand cru of Verduno: a southwest-facing natural amphitheatre with a dry climate and calcareous clay. The wine spends a long time in large oak casks and shows red berries, cherry and dark spice such as black pepper over a silky, elegant frame.
Barolo Bussia comes from a high-lying plot in Bussia, Monforte d'Alba, facing south-southwest. It is the fuller of the two, with floral notes, small red berries and liquorice over soft tannins. Barolo Riserva 10 anni is made from two Verduno vineyards, Monvigliero and Boscatto, each aged separately for a long time in large casks before blending. The wine is released only around ten years after the harvest.
From the neighbouring Barbaresco appellation comes Barbaresco Gallina, from the Gallina vineyard in Neive. The soil is sandy and calcareous, and the wine ages 24 months in oak casks and six months in bottle. The result is a balanced Barbaresco with cherry, plum and fresh acidity.
Verduno Pelaverga, Alta Langa and Barolo Chinato from Bel Colle
Verduno Pelaverga is the estate's signature wine. Pelaverga Piccolo is an old native grape grown only in a small area around Verduno, and its DOC is one of the smallest in Italy. The wine ferments in stainless steel with a short maceration and is pale, spicy and juicy, with strawberry, cherry and white pepper. Serve it lightly chilled.
Alta Langa Cuvée Valentina is the house sparkling wine, made by the traditional method. The Brut is roughly 90 percent Pinot Noir and 10 percent Chardonnay and spends at least 36 months on its lees. There is also an Extra Brut version, a natural match for aperitifs and seafood.
Barolo Chinato is an aromatised Barolo, flavoured with cinchona bark, rhubarb root, gentian and other spices. It is drunk as a digestif or with dark chocolate. For more producers from the region, explore our wines from Piedmont and from the Langhe.
Frequently asked questions about Bel Colle
Where is Bel Colle?
Bel Colle is in Verduno in the Langhe, on the ridge between Verduno and La Morra, a few minutes from Alba. Its wines also come from vineyards in Monforte d'Alba and Neive.
What is the difference between Barolo Monvigliero and Barolo Bussia?
Monvigliero in Verduno gives a perfumed, elegant Barolo with red berries and pepper. Bussia in Monforte d'Alba brings more power, structure, liquorice and ripe fruit.
What is Verduno Pelaverga?
A light, spicy red wine from the Pelaverga Piccolo grape, grown almost only around Verduno. It is good with cured meats, pasta, poultry and well-spiced dishes.
How do you serve Barolo Chinato?
Serve Barolo Chinato after dinner in a small glass, at room temperature or slightly cool, ideally with dark chocolate.