Cascina Castlèt

The ancient stone walls of Cascina Castlèt protect the wines, which slowly age in great oak casks. They coexist with the contemporary soul of the wine: modern rooms for raisining, ageing and bottling, state-of-the-art technology. And then there’s the infernòt, the most private of places: 20,000 classic bottles; a place for special tastings.

The Borio family has lived in these hills for generations. They grow local grape varieties: Barbera, Moscato and Nebbiolo. And they’ve saved the Uvalino, a variety used to make bottles that were traditionally given to the priest and the doctor. Over the years they have added Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, the first Piedmont rows of which were planted by Count Filippo Asinari in the Castelletto area, which gives the winery its name.

The vineyards are a concert of twittering and wingbeats: hundreds of nests are home to birds which control the insects that prey on the vines. And along with the nests, there are roses: a plant at the start of every row, the old way to stop powdery mildew.