Vezza d’Alba, Piedmont

Marco lives and breathes Roero, his passion for his project and the wider region is palpable despite his limited English. Luckily my partner was on hand to translate his words, though his animation was clear to see.

His wine education began early, attending high school with an oenological focus before starting work in vineyards and cellars across Roero in 2006. After 11 years working for others, he initially set out to pursue his other great passion - beekeeping. Yet wine quickly drew him back. In 2018 he planted his first vines, and by 2021 - after three years of organic and holistic vineyard work - Marco Pezzuto released his first vintage: just 1,400 bottles.

An opportunity to rent additional vineyards in 2023, including parcels planted in 1950 and 1980, allowed him to expand thoughtfully. Production now sits at approximately 13,000 bottles annually, with no intention of growing further. Marco is driven by detail and precision; while he accepts that perfection is unattainable, he strives constantly towards it and fears losing control through expansion.

Stylistically, his wines stand apart from those of the Langhe. Marco is committed to expressing Roero’s sandy, calcareous soils with clarity and authenticity. Elegance, finesse and energy define his wines, reflecting the best of a new wave of producers reshaping the region’s reputation. This is not hands-off, lazy winemaking: meticulous maceration management is central, with gentle extraction, temperature management and consistent tasting. There’s patient élevage; Nebbiolo is aged in large oak and cement, while Arneis sees a combination of stainless steel and old wood, always handled with exacting care and uncompromising standards.