Why buy it

Choosing this wine means opting for one of the most prestigious interpretations of Barolo, crafted by a benchmark producer: Vietti.

Its single-vineyard origin, extremely limited production, and the structure characteristic of great *Riserva* wines make the 2016 Barolo Riserva Villero DOCG a true collector’s item—perfect for special occasions.

It is an ideal choice for those looking to purchase wine online with a focus on quality, terroir, and aging potential.

The History

For four generations, the Vietti family has been producing wine in Castiglione Falletto, a small medieval village located in the heart of the “Barolo zone”—one of the most privileged areas in the Langhe for viticulture.

Carlo Vietti founded the estate in the late 19th century, and in 1919, his son Mario began producing the first Vietti wines, selling the majority of the output within Italy.

Mario’s primary vision was to transform the family’s diversified agricultural estate into a dedicated wine producer. In 1957, Alfredo Currado married Mario’s daughter, Luciana Vietti. Following his father-in-law’s passing in 1960, Alfredo took the helm, steering the estate toward an uncompromising focus on high quality. He established the winery as one of the finest in the Langhe and began exporting its wines to key international markets, including Germany, Switzerland, and the United States.

The last 40 years of the estate’s history have been shaped by Alfredo Currado—an oenologist since 1952—and his wife. Together, they have worked to strengthen the reputation not only of their family estate but of the entire Barolo region. Alfredo was the first to select and vinify grapes from individual vineyards—a radical concept at the time, yet one now applied by nearly every producer of Barolo and Barbaresco. This led to the creation of the first Vietti “crus” in 1961: Barolo Rocche and Barbaresco Masseria.

Known as the “father of Arneis,” in 1967 he became the first to rediscover this nearly extinct variety, vinifying it as a single-varietal wine. Today, Arneis is the most renowned white wine from the Alba area.

Artist Labels

Since 1974, select Vietti wines have been adorned with original artworks, created specifically by an artist and inspired by the wine of that particular vintage.

The number of labels produced corresponds to the number of bottles bottled, with the first one hundred signed by the artist. Each artwork is used only once, exclusively for the wine of that specific vintage.

How the idea began

Alfredo Currado recounts: “The idea came about over a bottle of Barolo Rocche. One winter evening, while enjoying some bottles of Barolo with a group of friends—some of whom were artists—they became so captivated by the color of the wine in their glasses that they remarked how such wines deserved to be elevated by something beyond the standard label: they deserved labels created by artists. In the excitement of the moment, we drew up a list of artists, and by the following day, that vague notion had taken shape.”

Vietti Barolo Riserva Villero 2016

Vinification and Aging: The grapes are hand-harvested and selected, then fermented in steel tanks for 21 days, with cold maceration both before and after fermentation. Malolactic fermentation takes place in wood. The wine is aged in oak barrels for at least 30 months. Pairing: red meat, roast, game, braised meat, aged cheeses.

Bottles produced: 5,146 (0.75 L), 330 magnums, and 15 double magnums.

Awards and Accolades for the 2016 vintage:

• RP98
• WS98