In the 19th century, wine producers in Barbaresco made a bid to join the neighboring—and more prestigious—Barolo zone. When their overtures were rejected in 1894, local enologist Domizio Cavazza founded the Barbaresco region’s first winery cooperative. It ceased operations sometime after World War I but was reborn in 1958 as the Produttori del Barbaresco. Today, focusing exclusively on Nebbiolo grown in the commune of Barbaresco, this model co-op has also been well-served by a long line of homegrown leadership; current director Aldo Vacca, whose grandfathers were founding members, succeeded his father as the group’s director. This classic blended Barbaresco earned its highest rating to date in the stellar 2021 growing season.

95 Jeb Dunnuck