Nestled in the heart of Barolo, one of Italy’s most revered wine regions, where rolling hills are draped in vineyards and medieval villages crown the hilltops, Azienda Agricola Lalú has quickly established itself as one of the most exciting and dynamic new wineries to watch. Founded by two passionate friends, Lara Rocchetti and Luisa Sala, this young estate is making waves with its commitment to organic viticulture, thoughtful winemaking, and a philosophy that marries tradition with innovation.
THE STORY
The journey of Lalú began when Lara and Luisa met while studying at the renowned University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo. Their shared passion for wine and sustainability led to a collaborative thesis on designing a carbon-neutral winery, where they tackled the challenges of reducing emissions during fermentation, optimising energy consumption, and exploring innovative waste management techniques. Upon graduating, both ventured abroad to gain hands-on experience, working in some of the world’s most esteemed wine regions.
Upon returning to Italy, the duo joined the team at Trediberri, where they connected with the Oberto family. It was through this relationship that they acquired their first vineyard in 2015, a prized plot in the Roncaglie cru of La Morra. Further enriching their expertise, Lara and Luisa worked at renowned wineries like Reva in Barolo and Conterno-Fantino in Monforte d’Alba. Their pursuit of excellence even led them to Burgundy, where they trained under the guidance of Domaine Lafon in Meursault and Cécile Tremblay in Morey-St.-Denis. Dominique Lafon, in particular, left a lasting impact on their approach to both vineyard management and winemaking.
A FOCUS ON EXCEPTIONAL VINEYARDS
In 2019, Lara and Luisa secured a small cantina in Serralunga d’Alba, marking the beginning of their own label. That same year, they harvested their first Nebbiolo grapes for Barolo from the Le Coste cru in Monforte d’Alba. Their parcel, situated at an elevation of approximately 400 meters, is planted with vines dating back to 1999. In addition, their Barbera d’Alba hails from a 1.5-hectare plot in the southern part of the Bussia cru, while their Langhe Nebbiolo is sourced from small plots in Roncaglie (La Morra) and Bussia Bovi (Monforte). Every vineyard is cultivated organically, with grass intentionally grown between the rows to enhance soil health and biodiversity.
RONCAGLIE (Municipality of La Morra)
The vineyard, owned and planted by Lalù in 2015, is still too young to produce Barolo, so for now, they produce Langhe Nebbiolo. The soil, dating back to the Tortonian geological period, consists of Laminated Sant’Agata Fossil Marl (7 million years old) with outcrops of La Morra conglomerates (6.3 million years old). The vineyard faces east at an altitude of 400 meters, benefiting from excellent wind conditions that promote healthy vine growth and slow, late ripening. The soil is primarily a greyish-white calcareous clay loam with a shallow texture, offering good water retention. The vineyard is mainly cultivated on laminated Sant’Agata Fossil Marl, complemented by stones from the later geological La Morra Conglomerates.
BUSSIA (Monforte d’Alba)
The soil, originating from the Tortonian geological period, consists of Sandy Sant’Agata Fossil Marl, which is 10 million years old. The vineyard is situated at an altitude of 320 meters above sea level, with a west and southwest exposure, nestled between the sub-areas of Bussia Arnulfo and Bricco San Pietro. The elevation creates significant temperature fluctuations between seasons, while the combination of the valley and higher hills allows for high heat retention and limited wind influence during the summer. The vines are primarily planted on Sandy Sant’Agata Fossil Marl, a marine-origin formation characterised by marls with a higher sand content compared to other types of Sant’Agata Marl.
LE COSTE DI MONFORTE (Monforte d’Alba)
The soil, dating back to the Tortonian geological period, consists of Sandy Sant’Agata Fossil Marl, which is 10 million years old. This vineyard, located at an average altitude of 420 meters, is the highest and most southerly of the Monforte crus. Positioned between Alta Langa and parallel to Gavarini, Ginestra, and Mosconi, the elevation ensures excellent wind conditions that help prevent diseases in the vines and grapes, while promoting late ripening. The vines primarily grow on “sandy” Sant’Agata Fossil Marl, a marine-origin formation with marls that have a higher sand content than other varieties of Sant’Agata Marl.
For their first vintage in 2019, they produced around 5,000 bottles, with expectations of reaching 20,000 bottles once all the vineyards are fully productive.
A Thoughtful Approach to Winemaking
At Lalú, every wine is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, adapting to the unique conditions of each vintage. The Barbera is typically fermented in concrete tanks and aged for 8 months before release, preserving its vibrant fruit character. Nebbiolo wines undergo a combination of aging in concrete and large Austrian oak casks, while their Barolo ferments and matures exclusively in Austrian oak. Fermentations rely on native yeasts, often kick-started with a pied de cuve, ensuring a natural expression of the grapes. Depending on the year, whole clusters may be incorporated, and in some cases, destemming is done by hand to prevent any harsh tannins from the central part of the stem.
WHAT SETS Lalú APART
Lalú represents the future of Barolo winemaking—a vision best captured in Lara’s own words: ‘We wanted to create wines that reflect not just the land, but our journey and values as winemakers.’ A future that values sustainability, precision, and respect for the land. Lara and Luisa’s dedication to organic practices, coupled with their international experience and innovative mindset, is producing wines that beautifully capture the essence of their terroir. Each bottle tells a story of friendship, learning, and a relentless pursuit of quality—a journey that was recently recognised when Lalú’s Barolo received critical acclaim from respected wine critic Antonio Galloni, further cementing their place among Barolo’s rising stars.
Experience Lalú
As wine enthusiasts increasingly seek out producers who prioritise authenticity and environmental stewardship, Lalú stands as a shining example of the next generation of Barolo winemakers. Keep an eye on this rising star—their journey is just beginning, and the wines they are creating promise to leave a lasting mark on the world of fine wine.