Ercole Piedmont Rosato 2023 1L
We have 11 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
Piedmont—Italy’s northwestern crown jewel—is framed by the Alps to the north and west and cradled by the Apennines to the south, creating a protective amphitheater for viticulture. This is a land of fog and sun, where altitude, diurnal shifts, and varied soils converge to produce wines of clarity, character, and structure. While red wines may dominate its global reputation, Piedmont is quietly home to some of Italy’s most charming, mineral-laced rosati—made in small quantities and rarely seen beyond its borders.
In the Monferrato hills, southeast of Turin, a patchwork of calcareous-sandy soils nurtures two of the region’s most beloved red grapes: Barbera and Dolcetto. Here, these varieties take a lighter turn, transformed into a rosato that captures the playful, aromatic essence of Piedmontese summer. It’s a region steeped in tradition, yet always capable of surprise.
The Wine
The 2023 Rosato is a vibrant blend of 65% Barbera and 35% Dolcetto, two workhorse grapes of Monferrato reimagined here with a playful, sun-soaked twist. After a gentle pressing, the juice rests on the skins for just a few hours, giving the wine its delicate pink hue and bright, fruit-forward personality. Fermented and stabilized in stainless steel, this is a clean, precise expression—bursting with notes of watermelon rind, wild strawberry, and crushed rose petals, all lifted by a zippy, refreshing acidity. It’s crisp, dry, and totally unpretentious—built for picnics, patios, and long afternoons that roll into evening.
The People
Behind Ercole is a cooperative of small growers, many of whom farm old vines between 30 and 50 years of age. They work the land with care, following sustainable practices rooted in lotta integrata(reasoned struggle), with minimal copper and sulfur use and no synthetic treatments. Their fruit is not commodified but honored—transformed with minimal intervention and bottled with full traceability and vegan certification.
Ercole—named after Hercules—is a tribute to these unsung viticultural heroes. Spearheaded by The Piedmont Guy, whose singular focus on Piedmont has connected global drinkers with the region’s deep well of tradition and talent, this wine represents more than value—it represents authenticity. In every liter, you get not only a vibrant rosato, but also an honest representation of the land, legacy, and labor that brought it into being.
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Piedmont, framed by the Alps in northwestern Italy, is a land of rolling hills and carefully cultivated vineyards. The continental climate, with its cold winters and warm summers, creates prime conditions for the Nebbiolo grape, which dominates much of the region's red wine production. The Langhe area is home to Barolo and Barbaresco, structured red wines known for their complex aromas, firm tannins, and aging potential. While Nebbiolo is the dominant grape of Piedmont, the region also makes interesting white wines like those from Arneis and Timorasso. Alto Piemonte is a separate region in the north with its own distinctive expressions of Nebbiolo, alongside other red grape varietals.
Italy - Piedmont
Piedmont's 2nd red grape behind Nebbiolo, Barbera is easy to enjoy and versitile with its low tannins and fleshy fruit. High acidity also makes it food-friendly, and flavors range from tart red berries to exotically ripe purple fruits.
Barbera
Practicing Organic vineyard farming involves growing grapes using organic methods—avoiding synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides—but without formal certification. Wineries adopting this approach prioritize environmental health, soil vitality, and biodiversity, using natural practices such as composting, cover cropping, and manual pest control. Many small wineries opt for practicing organic methods rather than pursuing official organic certification, primarily due to the significant cost, paperwork, and time commitment involved in certification processes. As a result, practicing organic is a popular choice among boutique and artisanal producers who remain committed to sustainable agriculture while managing budgetary constraints.
