Crissante Alessandria (Piedmont, La Morra) DOCG Barolo and DOC Barbera and Dolcetto d’Alba

ALBERTO ALESSANDRIA

Alberto Alessandria is what might be referred to as "an old soul." He was just 22 when he took over the family business. Yet he talks like he'd been doing this for 50 years, showing off his work with purpose and pride, and stopping routinely to answer questions and go off on tangents about winemaking, grape growing, and where to eat a good dinner.

Alberto is now the 8th generation at the helm of the Crissante Allesandria winery. His grandfather was first to exploit their family's 2 hectares into bottled wine in the 1950s. Then, his father kept the status quo until Alberto's arrival on the scene in 2008. And over the past 15 years they have made significant investments to their land and facilities.

His attention to detail is fully on display, and the results clearly show in the finished product. There are no rusty old tanks here, or crusty and gross barrels, or mold growing on the walls (of which there are A LOT in Langhe). Instead, Alberto's two winemaking buildings are clean and organized, kind of 'un-Italian' actually, and as we tasted wines from barrel, while standing in the cellar, we actually could smell and taste fruit, an often impossible task in a dank Langhe cellar.

The family owns vineyards surrounding the frazione of Santa Maria and just below the pretty hilltop village of La Morra, a well-known address for Barolo lovers. There are a total of 6 hectares spread among 5 different parcels, all creating distinctly wonderful and delicious wines.