History
Before the Second World War
Before the Second World War, the Bera property was a large, relatively anonymous agricultural enterprise that grew and sold grapes. Sisto Bera and his older brother Giuseppe belonged to this farming generation. Sisto remained closely attached to the family hill between Neive and Neviglie, where vineyards surround the manor house that became the estate headquarters.
The late 1970s: an estate label
The family’s viticultural tradition reaches back for centuries, but estate vinification, bottling and direct sale under the Bera label began only at the end of the 1970s. During the same period, the business improved the quality of its production and made a defining commitment to Moscato. Valter and Alida were responsible for establishing estate bottling during this period.
Expansion and modernisation
Responsibility subsequently passed through Valter and Alida. Since Luigi Veronelli’s early description of the family and property, the vineyard holdings and wine range have expanded, the cellar has been modernised, and the estate has grown beyond Neviglie into neighbouring communes. It now comprises 30 hectares, more than 23 hectares of them under vine.
The next family generation
Umberto and Riccardo later joined the business. Valter and his two sons continue to centre the estate on Moscato for Asti and Moscato d’Asti and on Nebbiolo for Barbaresco, Langhe Nebbiolo and Sassisto. Dolcetto and Barbera remain part of the range, while Chardonnay and Pinot Nero were introduced for Alta Langa Bera Brut made by the traditional method. A new residence and a new cellar were also built below the historic manor house on the family’s vineyard-covered hill.
Terroir
The estate is based at Neviglie in the Langhe, on the right bank of the Tanaro between Alba and Asti. The village is enclosed by the communes of Barbaresco, Neive, Mango and Treiso. On the road climbing from Neive to Neviglie, the family property occupies a gently sloping, vineyard-covered hill: the historic manor house stands at the top and centre, while a newer residence and cellar lie lower down.
The vineyards described around Neviglie stand at 320–380 metres above sea level and face south to south-west. The contours of the hills keep the area ventilated. Soils are pale, friable, clayey-tuffaceous and rich in limestone, with a predominantly clay-loam texture. This texture retains water even in the hottest months.
Some confined sectors have especially shallow soil. There, water accumulates and evaporates quickly, and vines can show stress during long rainless periods. Even under those conditions, the fruit reaches maturity each year. The soil’s high carbonate content favours aromatic development, particularly in naturally aromatic grapes. Both white and red varieties are cultivated, with Moscato, Dolcetto and Freisa especially prominent and Barbera occupying smaller areas.
Winemaking
The family directly supervises vine cultivation as the first stage of a production chain that continues through grape transformation and bottling. Vineyard conditions shape the work: the clay-loam component retains moisture through hot periods, while isolated shallow-soil sectors can suffer rapid water accumulation and evaporation and show vine stress during extended drought. Even so, the grapes complete ripening each year.
Moscato, Dolcetto and Freisa are the most prominent varieties in the Neviglie terrain description, with Barbera on smaller surfaces. The broader estate programme also includes Nebbiolo, Chardonnay and Pinot Nero. The latter two varieties support the family’s traditional-method Alta Langa project.
The family follows the complete production cycle directly, from cultivation and grape processing through bottling. Estate bottling and direct sale under the Bera label began at the end of the 1970s, replacing the earlier model in which the property chiefly grew and sold grapes.
The cellar has since been modernised and a new winery constructed below the manor house. Moscato is processed for Asti and Moscato d’Asti, while Nebbiolo is used for Barbaresco, Langhe Nebbiolo and Sassisto. Chardonnay and Pinot Nero are used for Alta Langa Bera Brut, produced by the traditional method. The portfolio also maintains Dolcetto and Barbera as wines tied to the local territory.
Philosophy
The estate’s guiding principle is respect for the traditions of its territory and for established working practices. The family links quality to direct oversight of the entire process—from the vineyard through grape transformation to bottling—and to sustained work and personal commitment.
Moscato remains the emotional centre of the estate through Asti and Moscato d’Asti, while Nebbiolo provides its principal reference point for Barbaresco, Langhe Nebbiolo and Sassisto. Continuing Dolcetto and Barbera preserves a connection with local wine traditions; introducing Chardonnay and Pinot Nero for traditional-method Alta Langa represents the family’s forward-looking side.