November in the Langhe: new wines and traditions to experience in the cellar
There is a moment, in the Langhe, when the hills seem suspended in time. The fog rises slowly from the valleys, wrapping around the rows of vines and, like a curtain, marks the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. After the harvest, the vineyard rests. The air smells of wood and must, and in the cellar, each bottle holds the promise of the vintage just concluded.
This year we can truly say we are satisfied: the white wines of the Langhe are fragrant, savory, and mineral, with lovely acidity and balanced structure. They have begun their long aging on the fine lees — a fundamental step to bring the identity of our terroir back into the glass. As per tradition, the Chardonnay completed fermentation directly in barrel, delivering complexity and depth.
The Piedmontese reds, on the other hand, tell the story of a vintage of elegance and power: fresh aromas, ripe and enveloping tannins, and deep colors not seen for a long time. It was a slow and gradual harvest, made possible by the happiness of the vines and the climate that allowed us to wait for perfect ripeness. We were among the last to pick the Nebbiolo for Barolo, only when every berry reached its peak.
All vinification was carried out in respect of spontaneous fermentations: we chose to work only with indigenous yeasts, carefully selecting, destemming, crushing, and filling the tanks. Then the waiting began — intense days, full of adrenaline and enthusiasm, as only the harvest can offer. A time that is never forgotten.
Saint Martin’s Day: the new wine and the end of the harvest
November 11, the feast of Saint Martin, marks the close of the ancient agricultural year. In the Piedmontese countryside, people used to say: “On Saint Martin’s Day, every must becomes wine.” It was a time to celebrate, to open the barrels and taste the new wine, in a convivial atmosphere that united families and communities. A small rural New Year, when hard work gave way to shared joy and gratitude for autumn’s bounty.
La cugnà: a treasure of Piedmontese tradition
With November also comes the time for cugnà, the grape and fruit jam that smells of ancient memories. It is prepared with must and the “rapulin ed San Martin,” the small clusters left on the vines after harvest. To these are added quinces, pears, hazelnuts, figs, and walnuts — ingredients that, when slowly cooked, become a dense and fragrant preserve.
Every Piedmontese home has its own recipe and secret, but the soul of cugnà remains the same: an act of patience and respect for the land. It is the perfect accompaniment for Langhe cheeses — Toma, Raschera, Castelmagno — and pairs wonderfully with a glass of Barbera d’Alba. November is also the perfect month to enjoy these cheeses at full maturity, alongside steaming polenta and the great classics of peasant cuisine: bagna càuda, mixed boiled meats, and red wine braised dishes.
Chestnuts and fog: autumn in the heart of the Langhe
In the woods surrounding the vineyards, chestnuts tell another side of the land. Roasted, boiled, or turned into chestnut cake, they join the wine and the warmth of the fireplace, evoking the most authentic autumn of the Langhe. Simple, sincere ingredients, capable of enclosing in their sweet notes all the taste of home.
Manure in the vineyard: energy for the soil and future harvests
Once the harvest is over, life among the rows does not stop. Taking advantage of the clear days, we completed the manuring — a gesture of deep care for the vines and for the fertility of the hills.
We use well-matured cattle manure, fully decomposed and mixed with straw. It is a living material, rich in nitrogen and organic matter, nourishing the soil without harming it. Unlike fresh manure, mature manure has completed fermentation: it doesn’t burn the roots, has no strong odors, and slowly releases energy, feeding the soil’s microorganisms through the winter.
After spreading, we mixed the manure into the soil with a light under-row disc pass, helping it integrate deeply. We also removed dead vines, which will be replaced in spring. The oldest vineyards, however, continue to gift us splendid grapes — a sign of balance and respect for the land.
Autumn at Agricola Marrone: a toast to the slowing of time
November is the month when the vigneron slows his pace. The vineyard stands silent; one waits for the real cold — the one that prepares the soil for pruning. It is a time of gratitude, of slow rebirth, when nature invites us to pause.
The fog wraps the hills like a caress; the cugnà simmers on the fire; the Nebbiolo rests in vats, refining in silence. This is November in the Langhe: a toast to time flowing gently, to work accomplished, and to what is yet to come. An invitation to savor slowness, the land, and the wine.
Come and discover November in the Langhe
November is the perfect moment to immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of the Langhe. We await you in the cellar for a guided tour and a tasting of freshly vinified wines, accompanied by traditional Piedmontese flavors such as cugnà and local cheeses. Book your experience to experience up close the magic of autumn among vineyards, fog, and unique aromas. A toast to the land, to slowness, and to genuine taste.