Francesco Versio 2020 Barbaresco

The Wine

This wine is 100% Nebbiolo from 4 different plots in Neive (San Cristoforo, Currà, Starderi and Albesani). As always, Francesco deployed Native yeast fermentation, but this vintage called for a long maceration followed by aging in neutral Stockinger Slavonian oak botti (large casks).

This traditionally-crafted Barbaresco offers signature aromas of dried blue flowers, orange zest, forest floor and a touch of juicy berries, all framed by firm but finely grained tannins.

The Winery

Born and raised in Piemonte's scenic hilltop town of Neive, Francesco Versio is one of Barbaresco's youngest and brightest rising stars.

Graduating from the Winemaking School of Alba in 2005 he built on his foundation with graduate studies at the University of Turin in 2009, focusing on both viticulture and winemaking. Francesco then landed the opportunity of a lifetime - working as Cellar Master for Bruno Giacosa, gaining the opportunity to learn from one of the Langhe region’s most iconic Maestros. Francesco reports that, of all the lessons he took from his time there, the most formative for his future was learning how to identify, combine and transform the unique characteristics of Barbaresco's various soils and vineyards coaxing them into unique expressions of wine. 

In keeping with the tenets of traditional artisanal wine growing, Francesco ferments all his grapes using native yeasts, varying macerations based on the vintage’s characteristics, and using only large Slavonian oak for aging to allow the fruit and soils to take center stage in the glass.