SOLE E ROCCIA 2023

Sole e Roccia 2023 – Carema Nebbiolo between stone, sun and historic pergolas

Overview

The Sole e Roccia 2023 is a 100% Nebbiolo wine that expresses the most authentic and structured soul of Carema, one of the most iconic territories of heroic Piedmont viticulture. The wine comes from vineyards cultivated on steep terraces using the traditional “topie” system, pergola training structures supported by characteristic stone pylons called pilun. It is a deep and material expression of alpine Nebbiolo, where sun and rock define the identity of the wine. Vinification combines traditional techniques and long macerations to extract complexity and structure. The result is an intense, vertical and age-worthy wine. The wine contains sulfites.

Origin and identity of the wine

Sole e Roccia comes from the heart of the Carema vineyard recovery project, a territory where viticulture is strictly linked to the preservation of the historical agricultural landscape. The vines are trained on traditional structures that define the agronomic and visual identity of the appellation. The name refers to the two fundamental elements shaping this wine: the intense Alpine sunlight and the rock supporting the terraces. It is a wine that tells a landscape more than a vintage, strongly connected to rural culture and identity.

Vineyard philosophy

The vineyard philosophy is deeply rooted in Carema’s tradition and its manual viticulture on extreme slopes. Nebbiolo is cultivated through a respectful and sustainable approach, where every intervention is carefully calibrated to preserve vine balance and vitality. The topie system allows a complex yet perfectly adapted canopy management for the alpine microclimate, ensuring optimal exposure and natural ventilation. Rocky soils contribute to the wine’s mineral and tense profile. Yields are low and aimed at maximum expressive quality.

Winemaking and varieties

The wine is made from 100% Nebbiolo, with 30% of whole-cluster grapes to enhance structure and aromatic complexity. Maceration lasts about 40 days in stainless steel, providing depth and extraction. Aging continues for 22 months in third-use barriques, allowing evolution without excessive oak influence. The wine then rests for 4 months in bottle before release. The approach aims for balance between power, elegance and territorial identity.

Tasting notes

Color: deep ruby red with garnet reflections, indicating strong extraction and maturity.
Nose: complex and layered, with ripe red fruits, balsamic notes, sweet spices and mineral hints.
Palate: structured and enveloping, with dense yet elegant tannins, long persistence and a savory, rocky finish.

Food pairing

Ideal with braised meats, game, rich red meats and structured Piedmontese dishes. It also pairs well with aged cheeses and long-cooked recipes.

Technical sheet

• Appellation: Nebbiolo
• Wine name: Sole e Roccia 2023
• Producer: Carema project / Viano
• Vintage: 2023
• Region: Piedmont
• Grape: 100% Nebbiolo
• Whole clusters: 30%
• Maceration: 40 days in stainless steel
• Aging: 22 months in third-use barrique
• Bottle aging: 4 months
• Bottle size: 0.75 L
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Serving temperature: 16–18°C
• Sulfites: contains sulfites

Monte Maletto CAREMA (TO) – HEROIC VITICULTURE IN NORTHERN PIEDMONT

Carema Winery – The return of heroic mountain viticulture

History of the territory and the winery

Carema, in Northern Piedmont, is one of the most extreme and fascinating expressions of Italian mountain viticulture, where heroic viticulture is not a marketing definition but a daily working condition. Vineyards are planted on steep terraced slopes built with dry stone walls, shaping a fragile balance between man and mountain. In recent years, the area has experienced a revival thanks to young winemakers such as Gian Marco Viano and estates like Monte Maletto, who have helped restore abandoned vineyards. These interventions saved ancient plots that were at risk of disappearing. The recent history of the winery is therefore a story of agricultural and cultural rebirth. Today, Carema is again recognized for its authentic mountain wines and extreme terroir expression.

Vineyard philosophy

The vineyard philosophy is based on a clear principle: restore, preserve and interpret the landscape without forcing it. All vineyard work is fully manual due to steep slopes and complex terraces. Yields are intentionally low, resulting in highly concentrated and expressive grapes. Respect for soil balance and biodiversity guides every agronomic decision. Viticulture here is an act of resistance as much as production, where every cluster reflects the hardship of mountain farming. Nebbiolo finds a unique expression of minerality, tension and alpine character that cannot be replicated in flatter areas.

Winemaking approach

In the winery, the approach is consistent with vineyard work: minimal intervention, long timelines and respect for natural evolution. Fermentations are carefully managed but not intrusive, allowing the grape variety and terroir to fully express themselves. Aging is carried out in vessels that preserve rather than mask identity. The goal is not standardization but vintage and vineyard transparency. Human intervention is subtle and observational rather than corrective. This results in wines that directly reflect the vertical and tense character of Carema’s mountain terroir.

Identity and production vision

The estate currently works on about 0.5 hectares in Carema, plus a small parcel of Erbaluce in Parella. Production is extremely limited and focuses on two wines representing freshness and depth. The vision is not volume growth but territorial identity. Each wine is a precise interpretation of a micro-terroir. The project remains fully artisanal, where human scale is central. All wines contain sulfites.