A descendant of one of the most famous Langhe families, Virna Borgogno is the first woman in Italy to complete a degree in oenology and oenological techniques. In 1988, she joined her father Lodovico in managing the cellar.
The Borgogno vineyards date from 1720, while the modern estate was founded in 1950 by Enrico Borgogno.
Nowadays, Virna and her sister Ivana have taken the reins of the estate wholly in hand, with Ivana looking after the administrative and marketing side of the business. In 2001, the estate was rebranded with the new “Virna” logo to reflect the major role played by women in the business.
Terroir
The estate comprises about 25 acres in Barolo’s most prestigious areas; the Cannubi, Sarmassa and Preda vineyards are in Barolo proper, while the estate’s classic Barolo wine «Noi» comes instead from parcels in Novello, Monforte and La Morra townships.
Virna Borgogno winery respects The Green Experience discipline in the exercise of sustainable and eco-friendly viticulture.
It is a method to preserve the biodiversity and natural resources of the soil, to protect the value of Piedmontese production methods, and to safeguard the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato viticultural environment.
Green Experience vintners care for their vineyards through innovative and eco-friendly methods such as the diffusion of pollinating insects, planting of herbaceous and floral essences, and elimination of chemical weeding in the vineyards.
Wines
Virna’s wines adhere for the most part to the traditional Langa method, with élevage in large oak casks for the Barolo «Noi» and in both large casks and tonneaux for the two Cannubi and Sarmassa crus.
In addition to Barolo, the estate produces two Barbera d’Alba wines; one of these, the San Giovanni cru, comes from the Monforte township. The estate also makes Langhe Nebbiolo DOC, a Langhe rosso, a Langhe Arneis and a rosé wine.
Sisters Virna and Ivana Borgogno
Sarmassa vineyard
Sisters Virna and Ivana Borgogno