Pio CesarePiedmont, Italy

Pio Cesare – Over 140 Years of Excellence in the Langhe

Few names in Piemonte resonate with such authority and heritage as Pio Cesare. Founded in 1881 by Cesare Pio in the heart of Alba, this historic estate has been instrumental in shaping the global reputation of Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera, and other traditional wines of the region. Long before the Langhe became a household name for fine wine, Pio Cesare was pioneering exports to the UK in the 1950s, laying the groundwork for Piemonte’s international recognition.

Today, the estate remains proudly family-owned and managed by the fifth generation, with Federica Boffa and Cesare Benvenuto at the helm. Their stewardship continues to uphold the house philosophy: a steadfast commitment to terroir, tradition, and crafting wines of longevity and finesse. The winery itself sits atop ancient Roman walls beneath the city of Alba, a fitting metaphor for the estate’s deep roots and enduring influence.

Winemaking at Pio Cesare: Tradition with a Modern Touch

Pio Cesare’s winemaking philosophy has always prioritised minimal intervention, allowing vineyard expression to shine. Each plot is fermented separately, with carefully judged maceration times to preserve fruit purity and structural integrity. The ageing regime blends tradition with modernity: wines mature in a mix of large casks and smaller barrels, chosen according to the character of each vintage and vineyard.

The result is a portfolio of wines celebrated for their structure, complexity, and remarkable longevity. While the classic range leans towards traditional Piemonte styles, the single-vineyard wines reveal a more precise, modern elegance, reflecting the estate’s continued evolution.

Innovation Beyond Red Wines: The White Wine Pioneer

In the 1980s, Pio Cesare became the first estate in the Langhe to plant Chardonnay, a bold move in a region so rooted in red varieties. Their Piodilei Chardonnay has since become a benchmark for the variety in Piemonte, showcasing the region’s potential for mineral, textured, and age-worthy whites.

Pio Cesare’s Enduring Legacy: Heritage, Precision, and Global Recognition
Throughout its history, Pio Cesare has remained committed to its founding principles while embracing innovation where it enhances the expression of terroir and longevity. This balance of old and new ensures the estate’s continued place at the forefront of Piemonte winemaking.

With a reputation built on consistency, quality, and authenticity, Pio Cesare’s wines are among the most respected and sought-after expressions of the Langhe. Their continued global success stems from a deep respect for heritage, a rigorous approach to viticulture and winemaking, and a belief in the timeless qualities of Barolo, Barbaresco, and Piemonte’s noble grape varieties.

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Pio Cesare Single Vineyard Wines (Best Vintages Only)

Barolo Ornato
From Serralunga d’Alba’s iconic Ornato vineyard, this Barolo epitomises the commune’s power and depth. Known for its structure, dark fruit, and age-worthiness, Ornato is crafted only in exceptional vintages to showcase its remarkable longevity.

Barbaresco Il Bricco
Sourced from Treiso’s renowned Bricco vineyard, Il Bricco captures Barbaresco’s elegance and perfume. With lifted aromatics, fine tannins, and precise minerality, it offers a more delicate yet age-worthy expression of Nebbiolo from this esteemed site.

Barbera Fides
Produced from Nizza Monferrato’s prime vineyards, Fides reveals Barbera’s potential for depth and sophistication. Expect vibrant acidity, rich black cherry fruit, and savoury complexity, balanced by fine structure and a distinctive sense of place.

Chardonnay Piodilei
A pioneering Langhe Chardonnay first planted in the 1980s, Piodilei bridges Piemonte tradition with Burgundian finesse. Barrel fermented and aged, it offers texture, freshness, and a mineral backbone, establishing new benchmarks for Italian white wine.

Barolo Mosconi
From Monforte d’Alba’s prized Mosconi vineyard, this Barolo delivers power and precision. Structured and deep, with dark fruit and earthy complexity, it reflects Monforte’s muscular style, balanced by freshness and fine-grained tannins for long ageing.