VIGNA DEL PARROCO — Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG

Vineyard and terroir

The fruit comes from a 1.4-hectare vineyard. The grapes ripen around mid-September, developing a rich, sweet aroma at full maturity.

Vinification

The wine is made using traditional red-wine vinification methods.

Ageing

It undergoes no oak ageing and is intended to be enjoyed young.

Tasting profile

Soft and appealing, with a highly aromatic bouquet and a pleasant, refined character.

Label / history

The wine traces its origins to Giacomo Cauda, a priest from Cisterna d’Asti who arrived at the local church in 1964 and restored several neglected nearby vineyards. His first experimental vintage yielded 28 bottles. He called the wine “Ruche del Parroco” and placed an angel with outstretched wings on the label.

For many years, the grape was associated with this wine alone. Interest among producers increased during the 1980s, when plantings expanded rapidly. Cauda later entrusted the work to his parishioner Francesco Borgognone, who subsequently passed it to the young producer Luca Ferrari. “Vigna del Parroco” was conceived as a tribute to the village priest.

Decanter included it as the best wine under €55 in its “Most Exciting Wines of 2017.” Cauda attributed his success not to himself but to divine inspiration.