Castello di Bagnolo ‘SET’ Vino da Tavola Rosso 2018

North of Cuneo, tucked up in the foothills of Monte Viso, Castello di Bagnolo was originally a much larger castle in the 12th century which helped guard the Savoy dynasty, is home to historic frescoes, and became a hiding place for Jews during WWII.

Today it is gently patinated by time, and primarily run as an agriturismo that also makes a small amount of wine. Hilario Isola is the current generation of the estate, having trained first with Elio Altare in Barolo, he has reclaimed 2 hectares of the familys old defunct vineyards that have 70-90 years of vine age.

Their house Rosso is called “Set,” the local dialect for “Sette,” (as it’s made from an Abbatucci-esque list of seven indigenous grapes: Neretta Cuneese {Freisa Grosa}, Neretto Duro {Uvad Galvan}, Avan, Avarengo, Neiret Pinerolese {Chatus}, and Valenga, along with the more widely known Barbera d’Davi, and Dolcetto).