Massolino is the family estate in Serralunga d'Alba that has made wine since 1896 and is now one of the most respected names in Barolo. Here you will find Massolino Barolo from the Parafada, Margheria and Parussi vineyards, the celebrated Riserva from Vigna Rionda, Barbaresco from Neive and the estate's Langhe and Alba wines.
Massolino: four generations of Barolo in Serralunga d'Alba
The story starts in 1896, when great-grandfather Giovanni recorded the farm's first sale of wine in his notebook. At the time it was a mixed farm with fruit, vegetables, livestock and wine sold in bulk. His son Giuseppe helped found the consortium that protects Barolo and Barbaresco in 1934, and began bottling a small share of the wine himself.
The estate then grew one vineyard at a time. Parafada was bought in 1957, and from 1956 the family pieced together parcels on the Vigna Rionda hill through inheritance, exchange and purchase, the last of them in 1990. The first Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva was released in 1982. Parussi in Castiglione Falletto followed in 2006, and in 2019 the family began making Barbaresco from rented vineyards in Neive. Today the fourth generation, siblings Franco, Roberto and Paola Massolino, runs the estate.
Massolino Barolo: Parafada, Margheria, Parussi and Vigna Rionda
Serralunga d'Alba is known for the most structured Barolo, with firm tannins and long ageing potential. Massolino works in a classic way: the single-vineyard wines spend around two and a half years in large Slavonian oak casks, so that the fruit and the site speak through the Nebbiolo.
- Barolo is the blend from several vineyards and the natural place to start.
- Parafada faces south and is sheltered by the shape of the ridge. The wine is deep and generous.
- Margheria sits at about 280 metres on sandier soil and gives a perfumed, finely built Barolo.
- Parussi in Castiglione Falletto is more restrained and approachable sooner.
- Vigna Rionda Riserva is the flagship, from a site already praised in 1879. It ages for about three and a half years in large casks, then further in bottle before release.
On our shelves you will find the Barolo from 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2022, the single vineyards in several vintages between 2017 and 2022, and Vigna Rionda Riserva 2017, 2019 and 2020. Several come in magnum, double magnum and five-litre bottles, and the Riserva Etichetta Nera 2016 in jeroboam.
Barbaresco, Langhe and Alba wines from Massolino
Since 2019 Massolino has also made Barbaresco from Neive: a classic Barbaresco and the single-vineyard Albesani from old vines. The younger reds include a Langhe Nebbiolo from vineyards inside the Barolo zone, a juicy Barbera d'Alba and a Dolcetto d'Alba fermented in stainless steel. The Langhe also gives two whites, Chardonnay and Riesling, and a Moscato d'Asti rounds off the range with gentle sweetness and a soft fizz. For more producers from the region, browse our wines from Piedmont.
Frequently asked questions about Massolino
Which Massolino Barolo should I choose?
Start with the Barolo or Parussi if you want to drink the wine within a few years. Parafada and Margheria show two sides of Serralunga, and the Vigna Rionda Riserva is the bottle for the cellar.
How long can Massolino Barolo age?
The single-vineyard wines from good vintages develop over ten to twenty years, and the Vigna Rionda Riserva often for longer. Decant young bottles for a while before serving.
Does Massolino make Barbaresco?
Yes, since the 2019 vintage, from vineyards in Neive: a Barbaresco DOCG and the single-vineyard Albesani.
What food goes with Massolino Barolo?
Truffle pasta, braised beef, game, mushroom risotto and aged hard cheeses. Langhe Nebbiolo and Barbera also suit pasta with a meat ragù.