Pio Cesare Ornato Barolo DOCG 2019

The profound wave of sentiment that reverberated after the passing of Pio Boffa, the revered luminary behind Pio Cesare, earlier this year, became a pivotal moment for Italian wine. It unfolded amidst the persistent emotional and economic aftermath inflicted by the coronavirus. Pio Boffa, at the age of 66, succumbed to COVID-19 on the night of April 17, 2021, concluding a two-week battle. The Italian wine community united in mourning, igniting the digital realm with heartfelt tributes, evocative photographs, and cherished recollections—coinciding with the nation's emergence from the shadows of the pandemic.

Pio Boffa was the torchbearer of the fourth generation within his family to helm Pio Cesare, an establishment initiated by his great grandfather Cesare Pio in 1881. The winery, stationed in Alba, burgeoned into one of Italy's most distinguished, boasting 70 hectares of vines and an annual production surpassing half a million bottles. Presently, these wines find their way to over 50 countries, a testament to their global significance.

His legacy shall immortalize Pio Boffa for his magnetism, his benevolence, and his profound passion for life, wine, and joviality. I can personally affirm that he was ardently invested in nurturing prospects for the burgeoning generation of wine professionals, his fervor proving infectious. Tragically, Boffa's departure coincided with his beloved company commemorating its 140th anniversary. In homage to this juncture, two special wines will grace the shelves. The initial offering is a 2000 Barolo Riserva, with a mere 500 bottles in circulation. The label features the image of a key, an adornment worn as a pendant by the family's matriarch, Nonna Rosy, who passed away last year at the age of 98.

Moving forward, Pio Cesare plans to introduce a program showcasing late-release wines, carefully curated from their storied cellars. The second tribute wine takes the form of a 2017 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba. A limited production of 1881 bottles mirrors the years since the company's inception. This vintage derives its essence from four distinct vineyard locales: Ornato, La Briccolina, La Serra, and Lirano.

Today, the mantle passes to the fifth generation, as Pio Boffa's daughter, Federica Rosy, and his nephew, Cesare Benvenuto, steer the course of the company—a torchbearer of their esteemed lineage.