Paolo Scavino
Paolo Scavino is one of the Barolo wines that is invariably mentioned whenever consistency, rather than flashy opulence, is discussed. Based in Castiglione Falletto, Piemonte, this winery has spent decades building its single-vineyard Barolo series from vineyards scattered across various villages within this appellation, having a track record of consistently meeting expectations with every vintage.
Enrico Scavino, who began working alongside his father, Paolo, in 1951 at the age of 11, remains actively involved in the winery's operations to this day. His daughters, Enrica and Elisa, currently work alongside him, with Enrica handling marketing and administrative duties and Elisa having studied viticulture and winemaking.
Nebbiolo is the cornerstone of this winery. The differences in the bottled wines stem not from variations in the recipe, but from the distinct characteristics of the vineyards.
History
This story begins with a minor incident that would be considered illegal today. In 1951, Enrico Scavino dropped out of school to help on the family farm run by his father, Paolo. He was 11 years old at the time.
In the Langhe in the early 1950s, it was not unusual for a farm child to work. What was unusual was how long he continued to do so. Even now, more than 70 years later, Enrico is still there, currently receiving full support from his daughters.
A turning point came in 1978, when Bric del Fiasc was bottled for the first time. Enrico owned his own plot in the Fiasco vineyard in Castiglione Falletto, and decided that it should be given a separate label, even though the concept of single-vineyard wines had not yet become widespread in Barolo at the time. Bric del Fiasc is a dialectal variation of the vineyard's name, and it remains the first wine that comes to mind for most people when they think of this winery.
Since then, the family has acquired additional vineyards in other villages within the Barolo region, growing this winery into one of the most respected in the appellation. Enrica is in charge of marketing and administration. Elisa majored in viticulture and winemaking, which clearly illustrates the direction in which the family's succession plan is heading.
The vineyards
Castiglione Falletto is the estate's headquarters, and the wine cellar is also located there. However, Paolo Scavino's vineyards are scattered far beyond that area, and this is key to understanding this wine lineup.
The original Bric del Fiasc plot within the Fiasco vineyard covers 2.2 hectares. Although small, this area is sufficient to produce the vineyard's signature wine.
In addition, the family cultivates vineyards in four villages: La Morra, Monforte d'Alba, Barolo itself, and Serralunga d'Alba, and these four villages supply the grapes for the classic Barolo bottled wine. They also source grapes from Verduno, located at the northernmost tip of the appellation where the Monvigliero vineyard is situated. Ian D'Agata has described Verduno as producing tough-as-nails Barolo and Monvigliero as the only true Grand Cru.
Spreading vineyards across so many communes offers two advantages. First, it broadens the range of authentic styles the winery can utilize, from robust Serralunga sites to more aromatic ones. Second, since hail or rain rarely falls equally across all villages, this approach helps spread the risk during challenging vintage years.
The grapes
Barolo is Nebbiolo, and Paolo Scavino's Barolos are also Nebbiolo. End. The differences between each bottled wine stem from the region where the grapes were grown, not from the blend itself.
Since Nebbiolo is a late-ripening variety with high acidity and firm tannins, young Barolo wines may feel somewhat rough; these wines reveal their true character the longer they are aged. Langhe wines tend to have a naturally high alcohol content, and Scavino's wines also fall into that higher category.
This winery also produces Langhe Nebbiolo, a lighter, early-drinking wine made from the same grape variety; the grapes for this wine are sourced from the areas surrounding Castiglione Falletto and Barolo.
The Scavino line-up
This product line is organized much like a map. There is a single lineup called Barolo produced across multiple villages, as well as a series of single-vineyard wines named after each vineyard.
- Barolo: A blend of grapes from various villages, this is the best choice to start with this lineup.
- Barolo Bric del Fiasc: Produced at the Fiasco vineyard located in Castiglione Falletto, it was first released in 1978.
- Barolo Cannubi
- Barolo Bussia Vigna Fantini
- Barolo Prapo
- Barolo Bricco Ambrogio
Monvigliero, produced in Verduno, belongs to the same single-vineyard wine series and has received high praise from critics, including Ian D'Agata and Tom Maresca. In addition to Barolos, the winery also bottles Langhe Nebbiolo, and its production range is so extensive that it cannot be fully described by the Barolo label alone.
None of these wines are meant to be drunk immediately. The single-vineyard wines, in particular, require several years of aging, and for excellent vintages, critics suggest that the optimal drinking window can span decades. You can either purchase young wine and wait, or save yourself the trouble by purchasing aged wine.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Paolo Scavino based?
In Castiglione Falletto, one of the villages of the Barolo appellation in Piemonte. The winery is there, along with the Fiasco vineyard that produces Bric del Fiasc.
Who runs the estate today?
Enrico Scavino, who joined his father Paolo in 1951, still works there, now closely assisted by his daughters Enrica and Elisa.
Which wine is Paolo Scavino best known for?
Bric del Fiasc, the single-vineyard Barolo from Castiglione Falletto first produced in 1978.
Is the basic Barolo from one vineyard?
No. It is blended from vineyards in La Morra, Monforte d'Alba, Barolo and Serralunga d'Alba, which makes it the broadest expression of the estate's holdings.
