A place to share all the latest happenings in the world of wine. The beverage, not the software.
TL;DR recommend some US Nebbiolo; my personal preferences are for high acid and tart fruit balanced with minerality/bitterness/floral character.
Barolo and Barbaresco are well known and expensive enough that the normally competitive prices of imported European wines don't apply to most fine Nebbiolo from the Langhe. While some generic Langhe Neb is pretty good, it can be hit or miss, and even Valtellina is increasing in price and decreasing in QPR.
So even though my palate tends towards the wines of Northern Italy (and Etna and Beaujolais, eg) I'm always on the lookout for domestic alternatives, especially in the context of decreasing QPR from Europe.
Are there any exciting regions and producers taking on Nebbiolo in the US? I've really only had the Clendenen Family Vineyards Nebbiolo which they make intermittently; I like it, but it isn't the exact style I'm looking for (it's a bit too fruit forward, with too ripe red fruits) and I'm always interested in new producers and regions! No real price constraints, but probably in the 35-80 dollar range is what interests me most.
Sort by:
Best
Open comment sort options
Best
Top
New
Controversial
Old
Q&A
No idea why it seems that every message here has been downvoted, but I’d second someone else’s suggestion of Aeris. I also like Idlewild for an American producer making Piedmontese varietals.
Yeah IDK what happened. Either a bot or someone's tryna keep their favorite producer secret :)
In any case, thanks for the rec.
We're looking at you Cesare xD
Not quite the US but if you’re looking to try outside of Italy try valle Guadalupe in Baja. It’s not 100% Nebbiolo as a rule but some pianrosso if I remember correctly.
I’ve also had some really interesting Nebbiolo from here. Would definitely recommend.
A couple years ago I visited valle and a winemaker mentioned that a lot of what is called nebbiolo there probably isn't. Can't remember the history unfortunately but maybe someone else can chime in.
Same winemaker also said that because mexico taxes wine based on alcohol content, most labels under state the ABV.
Field Recordings makes a 75% nebbiolo 25% barbera aged in a mix of French and Russian new/used oak called Super Gnario that's tasty. I wouldn't compare it to a barolo or barbaresco, but the acidity and tannin were there, and it was enjoyable for what it was (and $25).
This stuff is really good
Ty
Barboursville in Virginia... Zonin family is from Veneto and still produces wine.
Interesting. Definitely want to try it.
It's pretty good, but apparently someone doesn't agree with me and instantly downvoted lol. Virginia wines typically have a French, Italian, European wine making style, but there are new age winemakers that fall under the more "natural" wine movement and doing different skin contact wines, pet nats, etc.
Nah everything got downvoted. I wouldn't infer that someone disagrees :)
Yeah I love a well made natural wine for sure, and have heard good things about virginia in that regard but haven't gotten into it yet!
This is the one.
Just had this. It’s great
had an aged one from their library and it was very good.
I’ve never tasting a Nebbiolo from grapes grown in the US that came even close to the quality of (e.g.) the Langhe Nebbiolo from the Produttori, let alone one that is reminiscent of a Barbaresco or a Barolo…sorry.
Yep, seems like this is the default answer. I'd figure given the prices more and more producers might be tempted into trying.
TTBOMK, the earliest plantings of Nebbiolo in the “third wave” of California winemaking dates back to the late 1970s and Martin Brothers Winery in Paso Robles. But the clonal material was never the best, and their Nebbiolo (IMHO) never even came close to tasting like a Nebbiolo, let alone a Piedmonte classic.
Allegedly someone brought in better quality clones, but I’ve still never been thrilled with the results. Not many people are, apparently, because there are only 138 acres (55.8 hectares) of Nebbiolo planted in California as of 2022.
It’s the default answer because it’s true…find some small producers from Langhe or Alba and keep digging in Italy. Look for some importers in your state that might have hidden gems. Where are located? Maybe I can help.
Bay area
Cameron, Apolloni, Watermill, and Cana's Feast all make good PNW nebbiolo.
Thanks, will look for them.
Cameron is great. I’ll also recommend Edmund st Jon bone jolly
Redolent Wine makes a 50/50 Washington Nebbiolo/Oregon Pinot Noir that I really like.
I was reasonably surprised by Thomas Fogarty from the Santa Cruz Mountains
I live very close to them, and tbh haven't been super impressed with their wines. But will try to check it out nonetheless.
Wasn’t amazing, by any means, but good enough to save my cellar. Better than expected
Castelli, Idlewild, Haarmeyer all make great versions
It’s not a Nebbiolo but please hear me out.
I think you should try Scar of the Sea Galleano Ranch Rancho Cucamonga Alicante Bouschet.
Now you might be saying, in my experience Portuguese Alicante Bouschet is deeply concentrated, inky and alcoholic and is not what you are looking for.
This wine tho, with 100 year old vines east of LA, has been either 11.5% or 12.5% in the vintages I’ve tried. It reminds me of good, non-carbonic Beaujolais but the tannins are that Piedmont style sandy-grit.
Concentration is medium- somehow and the nose is roses.
I think it’s the closest I’ve had to a new world wine scratching the piedmont itch. Retail ~$40.
ETA: I’d drink La Spinetta Langhe Nebbiolo over it any day though
Thanks, I'll check it out.
it just doesn't work with California soils. I've yet to taste a California Nebbiolo that even hits the Langhe Rosso tier. I feel the same way with Sangiovese and my hunch about these varietals is excess vigor in the New World.
I think American wineries are largely too afraid to harvest early when these grapes should be harvested and the result is alcohol that always overshadows the flavor profiles. And the soils are a big factor as well, the only good sangioveses I’ve had from California were from very steep slopes and low vigor vines
It's a reasonable hypothesis. I feel like there are ways to keep vigor down using aspect and exposure to the ocean in CA, but maybe in spots that are being reserved for better selling varietals.
As someone who is very positive about Aus Nebbiolo it surprises me to see how poorly us nebb is taken. I've also had some excellent Sangiovese from Aus as well.
Barboursville and Sandlands for generally available.
Rogstad and Palmina for more of a search
Sounds like your preferences line up with Barolo and Barbaresco. Not sure there is anything New World that doesn’t scream New World. Castelli in Sonoma produces a nice Nebbiolo but not sure it rises above something from the Langhe. Sometimes there is no reason to leave home.
Why though
why not
Because we are all here to experience the beautiful marriage of grapes and dirt
This is what you want — Aeris - https://m.klwines.com/p/i?i=1549660
I had this at Montage Healdsburg and it gave off langhe vibes with a little extra body and red fruits.
Edit: just read your into Etna Rosso - this has nerello mascalese in it. I really think this is down your alley.
Ah, I've actually had this at a Rhys release event before! Yeah it definitely scratched that itch. I forgot that it was mostly Neb, but also remember it was a bit riper in fruit than I typically like, but definitely very good.
Didn’t Rhys release a Nebbiolo?
Looks like they did under that Aeris label. Weird, I knew they were messing around with Nerello Mascalese but somehow missed their Nebbiolo stuff. I'll definitely check it out.
I nearly bit on the offer. Love everything they do. Now I’m a little regretful.
You might try Due Vigne. Their winery is in Clarksburg but their grapes come from Sierra foothills. I tried them on a whim one weekend not expecting much, and was very pleasantly surprised. The wines were much more restrained than most of what is grown in the foothills, comparatively lower alcohol (Barbera at 13.2%) and nice acidity, and not over ripe. They produce nebbiolo, barbera, and I am particularly fond of their aglianico.
Lone Madrone and Giornata from Paso Robles both take a good crack at Nebbiolo, you definitely feel some sunshine and ripeness in the fruit but the structure and freshness are still there in both.
I know you’re asking for North American Nebbiolo— but since you mentioned Valtellina— there are still tremendous value wines available. Plozza Rosso di Valtellina is sub $15/bottle. They have a Sforzato that is around $40 that is surprisingly nice. They have a Valtellina Superiore (they call it “Red Edition”) which is somewhere in between the two in price and quality.
Back to your question: La Trinidad Fauno is a Nebbiolo based blend from Valle de Guadalupe. It’s definitely a warm climate wine, but I found it delicious on a recent trip to Mexico.
Don’t know what’s going to happen with his brands now that he has passed but Jim clendenen made some great Nebbiolo under the clendenen family vineyards label.
My wife and I really enjoy VJB Cellars in Kenwood, CA. They do Italian style wines and I am a fan of their Nebbiolo, but I am no Italian wine expert.
Ildewild - they have a tasting room in downtown Healdsburg (northern Sonoma County), but grow they source grapes from Mendocino County (further north)