Barolo & California: California institutions and producers guest in the Langhe during the Truffle Fair

November 24-26, 2023 – Three days of joint initiatives for a delegation of California producers and institutional representatives hosted in the Langhe: the program includes a Michelin-starred dinner, an international conference on water conservation and soil health strategies, a masterclass, and a producer friendship dinner

On the occasion of the 93rd edition of the Alba International White Truffle Fair, the Strada del Barolo e grandi vini di Langa and the Alba International White Truffle Fair Authority are promoting an internationally renowned initiative, in collaboration with the Barolo & Castle Foundation, the Regional Barolo Wine Shop, and the Alba Langhe and Dogliani Barolo Barbaresco Protection Consortium: From November 24 to 26, 2023, a delegation of institutions and winemakers from Sonoma and Napa Valley, two of California’s most important wine-producing areas, will be guests in the Langhe to take part in a series of high-level activities, with the aim of strengthening knowledge and collaboration between the two famous territories, known worldwide for producing the highest quality wines.

«Over the last two years we have started important collaborations with the French wine-growing regions of Champagne and Burgundy – explains the Director of the Barolo Road Daniele Manzone – and this year we decided to propose a similar initiative, again together with the Truffle Fair Authority, inviting a delegation of producers and institutions from California, the stronghold of the greatest American wines, where some of the best wines in the world are produced, which is also the birthplace of winemaking in the United States. This operation is fully in the spirit of our association, which is to create knowledge, relationship and friendship with other territories, with which we share the same values of excellence. Barolo producers are particularly interested in establishing relationships and sharing experiences with other producers. We, as an association for the promotion of the area, aim to create relationships between organizations and institutions and therefore hope for the beginning of an effective collaboration both in the oenological and high-level wine tourism fields engaging with international partners on how to promote wine intelligently and how to attract tourists in an innovative and experiential way».

The California delegation will be led by Wine Institute Vice President Honore Comfort, along with Deborah Parker Wong, who contributes to Slow Wine Guide USA, The SOMM Journal, The Tasting Panel, and other industry trade publications, including Wine Business Monthly, teaches wine studies at several California colleges, and is an Approved Program Provider (APP) for the Wine & Spirits Education Trust. The other members of the delegation will be Cathy Corison, owner of Corison Winery in Napa Valley; Alan Ramey, co-chair and co-propiretary of Ramey Wine Cellars Winery in Sonoma County; David Cilli, producer at Promontory Winery in Napa Valley; Ted Lemon, owner of Littorai Winery in Sonoma County; and Barbara Fitzgerald, Italian Wine Ambassador, owner and founder of Apri La Creative Consulting.

Upon their arrival on Friday, November 24th, guests will be greeted by representatives of the Strada del Barolo and the Truffle Fair Authority at Roddi Castle for a welcome toast with a glass of Alta Langa DOCG. A truffle hunting session with the dog is scheduled to follow. In the afternoon, the delegation will take part in a presentation of the Langhe wine-growing area, followed by a tasting of Barolo at the Enoteca Regionale del Barolo. At 5:30 pm, a guided tasting of Californian wines is planned, aimed at wine producers and interested operators, led by Deborah Parker Wong. In the evening, a California & Barolo Gala Dinner will be held at the Castello di Roddi, curated by Michelin-starred chef Massimo Camia, who will offer a menu with Alba White Truffle, designed specifically for the occasion and served in combination with various labels of Barolo and wines from the producers of Sonoma and Napa Valley: tickets are on sale at fieradeltartufo.org.

On Saturday, November 25, 2023, following the delegation’s welcome at the Alba Town Hall, an international conference is scheduled on the theme “Earth and Water: Natural Elements to Protect for Vines and Truffles. Water conservation and soil health strategies between the Langhe and California” in the “Temple of the Wine Tourist”, at the WiMu – Wine Museum in Barolo. 

In the early afternoon of Saturday, the Californian delegation will visit the World Truffle Market and at 5:00 pm, again in the “Temple of the Wine Tourist”, at the WiMu – Wine Museum in Barolo, the Masterclass “Barolo meets Sonoma and Napa Valley” will be held, led by Maurizio Rosso and Deborah Parker Wong. Tasting two Sonoma Chardonnays, two Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons and a selection of four Barolo Docg Crus:

• Littorai B. A. Thieriot Vineyard Chardonnay 2021 (Sonoma Coast)
• Ramey Westside Farms Estate Chardonnay 2021 (Russian River Valley)
• Corison Kronos Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (Napa Valley)
• Promontory Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Napa Valley)
• Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Docg San Lorenzo di Verduno 2019 (Verduno)
• Mauro Molino Barolo Docg Conca 2019 (La Morra)
• Rocche Costamagna Barolo Docg Rocche dell’Annunziata 2017 (La Morra)
• Ettore Germano Barolo Docg Cerretta 2016 (Serralunga d’Alba)

Tickets for the Masterclass are on sale at fieradeltartufo.org.

In the evening, a friendship dinner is planned at the Ca’ del Re restaurant in Verduno, with representatives from California and a group of Barolo producers presenting their wines alongside the various courses.

On Sunday, November 26, Californian guests will be guided on a tour of the Barolo crus and will visit some wineries associated with the Barolo Road. The tour will conclude with a visit to the MUDET – Alba Truffle Museum.