Winery: Ca' del Baio
Region: Piedmont
Locale: Treiso (Barbaresco)
Appellation: Barbaresco
Designation: DOCG

In a few words: Beautifully complex and structured, this wine is deserving of your full attention.

Site: Vineyards of Gray marl, limestone, and sand, planted between 2008-2009. Harvest in early October. The first Autinbej harvest was in 2014, a year generally considered difficult in other parts of Piemonte and Italy, but successful in the small enclave of the Barbaresco denomination thanks to very favorable climatic conditions that year.

Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo 

Fermentation and Aging: Traditional red vinification of stemmed grapes, with maceration on the skins from 9 to 15 days in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures. The resulting wine matures for 24 months in large Slavonian oak barrels (boti) followed by aging in bottles for at least four months before release.

Notes: Autinbej evokes an era when such wines were the union of Nebbiolo grapes from the best, sunniest parts of different crus. The name is a tribute to Giulio Grasso’s late father, Ernesto, who often used the Piemontese word to describe the best vineyard exposures.

The color is a deep garnet red with reflections of soft pink. The nose is reminiscent of raspberries, jam, and violets that give an ethereal feeling accompanied by sweet spicy notes and hints of cocoa. In the mouth, Autinbej is warm, persistent and slightly tannic with a long finish abundant with fruity notes. In addition to the traditional Barbaresco pairing with red meat, Autinbej’s structure and the fruity intensity makes it an ideal pairing with duck or pork, grilled or fried, and also with sweet and sour or spicy sauces.

Versatile and appealing, Autinbej expresses its great personality as early as 3 years after the harvest and can age beautifully for 10-15 years in the cellar.