by Chris Ryerson

The Castello di Verduno, owned by Gabriella Burlotto and Franco Bianco, is a beautiful old building at the top of the village of Verduno, on the edge of the Barolo zone. Virtually unknown outside of Italy, Castello di Verduno produces a variety of Piedmontese wines in a classic style. The label unites two cellars, one under the castle in the Barolo zone and the other near the famous ‘cru’ Rabajà, in the Barbaresco area. Wines are produced in Barbaresco and bottled and stored in Verduno. The vineyards owned by Verduno are the Barbaresco crus, Faset and Rabajà, the last being one of the best vineyards in Barbaresco, and the Barolo crus Monvigliero and Massara. All wines are vinified traditionally by Mario Andrion, the talented young enologist who took over the cellar in 2000. The estate also produces a small amount of delicious Langhe Nebbiolo, and an excellent example of the variety indigenous to Verduno, Pelaverga.

Wine maker Mario Andrion will be with us in the restaurant for dinner Wednesday, March 3, 2010.  The menu will be à la carte as usual and the following wines will be served by-the-glass and in flights:

Pelaverga Piccolo “Basadone” 2008

Langhe Nebbiolo 2008

Barolo “Monvigliero” 2000

Barbaresco “Faset” 1998

Barbaresco “Faset” 1999

Barolo “Monvigliero” 1996

510-547-5356 or reserve online