Barolo del Comune di La Morra 2019

Agricola Ellena Giuseppe is located in the prized commune of La Morra. The property is 15 hectares with five under vine and eight hectares of hazelnuts. From 1966 through the mid-2000s the Ellenas sold fruit to local co-ops. That all changed when young Matteo took over the property with his father in 2009. Today, three generations work side by side weaving tradition and innovation. Matteo worked for both Elio Altare of La Morra and Giacoma Bologna of Rocchetta Tanaro, bringing a bit of style from both of these producers and fusing modernity with classic. In 2023, Matteo was named the President of the Cantina Comunale di la Morra, the official consortium of La Morra producers established in 1973. This is a big honor, as Matteo follows in the footsteps of Lorenzo Accomasso, a true Barolo legend.

The viticulture is quite traditional and was the first thing Matteo went to work on upon taking over the reins from his father. They have converted the vineyard to practicing organic viticulture, with manual weed management and practicing sexual confusion in the vineyard, curtailing savage moths from destroying the vineyard.  Low yields are obtained through multiple shoot thinnings, intensifying the fruit when necessary. In the cellar everything is vinified the way it should be.  The younger wines are given soft handling with higher temperature ferments and shorter time in oak, if it sees wood at all. The Baroli are macerated for 60+ days on the skins and held traditionally in botti with a bit of barrique. Primary and malolactic ferments are carried out with indigenous yeasts and the rackings are limited in order to lessen the use of sulfur dioxide.

If there was one story to tell about Ellena Giuseppe, it would be one of accessibility. Ellena Giuseppe represents some of the best value you can find in Barolo today, and the Giuseppes should be proud that their family legacy continues in Matteo’s very capable hands.