PODERE SAN ROCCO DEGLI ALERAMICI

- CASTELNUOVO CALCEA -

The Podere San Rocco degli Aleramici is located in Castelnuovo Calcea (Province of Asti) and represents the eastern boundary of the Terre Imperiali estates and the only one in the Province od Asti. More specifically, it lies in the central part of the Nizza DOCG production area, on the summit of a hill (the so-called “sorì”), with a predominantly southern exposure, ideal for producing a wine particularly rich in tannins. Within the estate there is an old ciabot currently being converted into a small family votive chapel, while at the foot of the property stands the Church of San Rocco, from which the estate itself takes its name.

The coat of arms representing this estate is that of the House of the Palaiologoi, descendants of the Aleramici and Lords of Monferrato. The lineage of the Aleramici, founders of Monferrato, thus passed through the House of the Palaiologoi, then to the House of Gonzaga, and subsequently to the Gonzaga-Nevers branch, where it became extinct as an autonomous and direct title in 1707. The line of descent, however, passed to the House of Lorraine and from them to the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty, then to the Princes of Montenuovo, followed by the Counts Wielopolski-Gonzaga, and finally to the Counts Tarnowski and, from them, to the Counts Savasta Fiore Tarnowski. Indeed, one of the two vineyards that make up the estate is dedicated to Count Juliusz Tarnowski.

Accordingly, at the time of the transfer of ownership of the estate, its name changed from Podere San Rocco to Podere San Rocco degli Aleramici, as it had returned “to its origins,” that is, to the direct descendants of Aleramo, first Lord of Monferrato, by appointment of Emperor Otto I.

With regard to agronomic aspects, the Podere San Rocco degli Aleramici lies in the central belt of the area traditionally suited to the cultivation of Barbera d’Asti DOCG, in its highest expression, namely Nizza DOCG, within the Gavelli Cru (MGA). More specifically, this belt of territory runs from west to east, starting in Agliano Terme, passing through Castelnuovo Calcea, and reaching Nizza Monferrato.

This area, so distinctly dedicated to viticulture, was in fact included in the core zone of the UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 2014 (see map underneath).

Here under, the Podere San Rocco degli Aleramici in comparison with the Gavelli Cru, located in the Municipality of Castelnuovo Calcea.

Within the Podere San Rocco degli Aleramici are located (sse map here under):

• Vigna Comes Juliusz Tarnowski (known as “Il Conte”), Nizza DOCG – Gavelli Cru (in blue)

• Vigna Bricco di San Rocco, Nizza DOCG – Gavelli Cru (in red)

From a geological standpoint, the Podere San Rocco degli Aleramici can be located within the “Central Sector – Bricco di Nizza”, composed mainly of sandy marls and clays. This sector is common to all three municipalities with the highest concentration of Crus, indicating the maximum level of expressiveness that this area imparts to Barbera d’Asti destined to become Nizza DOCG.

In fact, the Central Sector is further subdivided into the following subzones:

• Moasca – San Marzano Oliveto

• Bricco di Nizza

• Vinchio and Vaglio Serra

• Boidi Mombaruzzo

• Agliano Terme

The Podere San Rocco degli Aleramici is located in the Bricco di Nizza Subzone, as defined in the map “I Cru di Enogea – Nizza” (Alessandro Masnaghetti Editore), which is described as a “famous and highly sought-after area” and as a zone characterized by “rapid changes in exposure”, producing “wines of substance and balance.”

In turn, the Bricco di Nizza Subzone is composed of several Crus, specifically:

• Gavelli Cru (with the San Rocco microzone)

• Castello – La Corte Cru

• Bric del Marchese Cru

• Vialta Cru

• Vallarasca Cru

• Bricco di Nizza Cru (with the microzones Bric di Santa Margherita and Bric Ghezza)

• Cremosina Annunziata Cru

Yet all these technical and historical descriptions fail to convey the sense of peace that this vineyard imparts: with its 360-degree view, it stretches as far as Mount Monviso—the mountain of the Piedmontese—which serves as a constant point of orientation wherever one may stand and can be seen from the various properties of the Terre Imperiali Estates.