Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
Pira is a historic vineyard in Castiglione Falletto and has been a Roagna monopole since its acquisition by the family in 1989. Facing south-east on the Serralunga and Perno slope, it developed from the geological breakdown of the Rocche di Castiglione. The upper part is protected by the Rocche, while woodland and a stream descending from Bussia di Monforte influence the lower sector.
The marine-sedimentary soils date to the Helvetian era of the Tertiary period. Alternating strata include white limestone, grey marl, blue marl and sand, with a significant mineral component that includes iron. Six micro-plots have different vine ages and soil compositions, ranging from limestone rock near the Rocca to bluish marl.
Pira comprises seven hectares of vines and four hectares of woodland. The vines are exclusively of massal origin, propagated with wood collected while pruning old Pira vines. The oldest planting dates to 1937.
Grapes
Nebbiolo. Barbera and Chardonnay also grow within the wider Pira property, while Nebbiolo occupies the largest area and forms the basis of its Barolo wines.
Ageing
The wines in the Vecchie Viti collection average five years in wood and concrete. Pira generally reaches its expression after 3–4 years in large oak casks, with geographical-mention wines released five years after harvest following slow maturation in oak and concrete. Handmade casks are made with wood seasoned for up to ten years; the staves are bent with steam and receive no toasting. Bottling takes place in summer at full maturity. The extended ageing leaves the wine naturally clear, with no filtration or fining required.
Technical data
Production is approximately 2,000–3,000 bottles annually, with the exact total recorded on each label.
Tasting profile
Purity and elegance characterize Pira's stylistic expression.
Label / history
The vineyard was once owned by the aristocratic Falletti family and later by the Zocha family, now called Zotta, and was historically connected to the castle by a private road. Roagna acquired it in 1989. A dedicated old-vine selection was introduced with the 2007 vintage.
