The wines of Cascina Corte

Cascina Corte is a small organic winery in Dogliani, in the south of the Langhe in Piedmont. The estate was founded in 2001 by Sandro Barosi and Amalia Battaglia, who breathed new life into a dilapidated farmhouse with neglected vineyards. Cascina Corte is best known for its Dogliani: wines from the Dolcetto grape, which here become more powerful and serious than elsewhere in Piedmont. Some of the wines mature in terracotta amphorae.

In 2001 Sandro and Amalia had the chance to buy a large farm with vineyards, fields and woodland in the San Luigi hills, a few kilometres from the small town of Dogliani. The eighteenth-century farmhouse had stood empty for more than thirty years, and the previous owner had leased the vineyards to a tenant. The couple left the city to live in the countryside and make a living from wine and from renting out guest rooms.

Sandro and Amalia restored the old farmhouse in its original style, using natural materials. On an old map from the mid-eighteenth century they discovered that the farm had originally been called Cascina Corte, and they decided to restore the name. In the first years Sandro and Amalia worked mainly on restoring the vineyards and building the cellar. During that time they made their wine in the cellar of their oenologist in Dogliani. After four years they finally had a cellar of their own.

In 2003 they planted two new vineyards right in front of the house, on a well-situated slope where the vines had been grubbed up a few years earlier and replaced by sunflowers. They chose Barbera and Nebbiolo, grapes that have always grown here. Later came Freisa, a fragrant, little-known grape related to Nebbiolo.

Cascina Corte lies on the San Luigi hill, one of the best spots in Dogliani for the Dolcetto grape. While in Barolo, just to the north, Nebbiolo is the main grape, in Dogliani it is Dolcetto. This grape is known for soft, fruity wines. Here they become more powerful and tannic while keeping their fruit. The name Dogliani is now so closely linked to the grape that winemakers no longer need to put the word Dolcetto on the label.

Cascina Corte covers just over 15 hectares, of which some 5 to 7 hectares are planted with vines. The soil consists of compact tuff and limestone. The vineyards surround the farmhouse and include 3.5 hectares of old Dolcetto, planted between 1946 and 1955. Besides Barbera, Nebbiolo and Freisa, there are small amounts of Pinot Noir, Riesling and Nascetta.

Sandro works organically and partly biodynamically. His vineyards are certified organic. In the cellar he intervenes as little as possible. Some of the wines ferment and mature in stainless steel tanks; others mature in large wooden casks or in terracotta amphorae.

The winery's calling card is its three Dolcetto wines. The Dogliani San Luigi is a selection from several plots: floral, silky and charming. The Dogliani Superiore Pirochetta Vecchie Vigne comes from the La Pirochetta vineyard, planted in 1946, which has always produced exceptional wines. Sandro harvests these grapes last and leaves them longer on the skins, for a full, deep wine. From the same vineyard he also makes a version matured in amphora.

If you are ever in the area: Cascina Corte also has guest rooms. It is a beautiful region and Sandro is a hospitable, passionate host. In short, we warmly recommend a visit.

If you want to know more about this winery, here you will find the link to the website of Cascina Corte.