Description
High in Novello, the Ravera cru forms a broad amphitheater of southwest facing slopes where compact calcareous marl, interlayered with clay and sandstone, balances quick drainage with enough moisture retention to carry Nebbiolo through warm spells. Persistent airflow and elevation temper the extended sunlight exposure, helping preserve a long ripening cycle in a dry year such as 2017. Work in the vineyard is hand intensive and sustainability minded, with strict yield control and canopy decisions tailored to the season’s pace and the site’s open aspect. Parcels are harvested separately and fermented in stainless steel, and maceration is adjusted to the structural parameters of the vintage rather than applied as a fixed regimen. Maturation proceeds mainly in large oak casks with a portion in barrique, allowing lots to develop on their own timeline before they are brought together. In Vietti’s single vineyard Barolo program, Ravera continues to serve as a focused reading of Novello, translated through detailed viticulture and a calibrated cellar approach.