Cascina Ballarin Winery Review
Slipping low on the horizon by 4pm, the Autumn sun in Barolo gives us it’s golden rays as we arrive at Cascina Ballarin, just off the SP3-bis in La Morra.
We’re immediately charmed.
Terracotta tiles and red bricks adorn the winery, tasting room, and guest accommodation buildings.

Entrance to the tasting room. Photo: Willunga Wino
We are joined by possibly the friendliest wine cat that we encountered. Utterly charming with her pink nose, without hesitation she hopped atop our car and purred happily at our pats.

Wine kitty at Cascina Ballarin. Photo: Willunga Wino
Owner operator of the family run winery, Giovanni E Giorgio Viberti, greets us warmly, grabs a hat and some maps and invites us to walk in the vineyard.
First we pass Luna, the winedoggy, who is extremely friendly and a bit sorry for herself as she was a little unwell.

Wine dog Luna, she’s a sweetie. Photo: Willunga Wino
Up the driveway, past the hazelnut plantation. With Ferrero making most of the world’s nutella right here, there is a huge demand for the “large, sweet and soft” hazelnuts of Piedmont.
A new vineyard has been recently planted on the left.
Operations are conducted organically, as most vineyards and wineries do in Barolo, though minus expensive and cumbersome certificcation. There is enough of that with the DOC, DOCG, and classification for the special wines of the region.

Baby vines in the Piedmontese sunset. Photo: Willunga Wino
Cascina Ballarin’s vineyards sweep up the hill towards the township of La Morra, like a dancer, which is their namesake.

The Autumn sun sets on La Morra, on the hill behind Cascina Bellarin. Photo: WIllunga Wino
Giovanni spreads out a Piedmont map on the cobbles, and places cobbles on the map to show where Barolo and La Morra are in this context.
Such a novel, simple, and visual way to share a sense of place. It was very special.

A topographical map – a great way to orient yourself in the vineyard. Photo: Willunga Wino
Next a map of Barolo was spread on the cobbles, so that Giovanni could point out the individual vineyards owned by the family.
Again, using small stones to mark out their vineyards, describing the characteristics of each area.

Every single vineyard in Barolo is on this map. Photo: Willunga Wino
Despite it being busy in the winery, they are bottling today, Giovanni invites us to sit and taste the Cascina Ballarin wines, in the tasting room that doubles as the breakfast room for the agriturismo.
Disappearing momentarily, he returns with cheese, charcuterie, olives and ubiquitous Piemontese grissini bread sticks. Generous and unexpected.
We also meet Giovanni’s son, a wine student, who was about to embark on a journey to the Barossa Valley for vintage 2016 Down Under.
First we sampled the Cascina Ballarin Langhe Bianco 2013 (€8.50).
Honeydew and French perfume leaps out of the glass. Rich, mouth coating, viscous, full body on the palate is almost like a dessert wine. Flavours are honeyed, with a gentle, soft acid.

Cascina Ballarin Langhe Bianco 2013
Next we sampled the Cascina Ballarin Barbera d’Alba Giuli 2012 (€18, sold out), made from 60 year old vines, with the wine aged for 18 months in oak.
Ruby at the edged, and with a nice dark purple colour, this wine had a dark, rich fruit and spice on the nose, with a slight hint of dustiness. Those flavours followed through on the palate, and this wine reminded us of the Vietti Barbera D’Alba Vigna Vecchia Scarrone Cru 2012.
Cascina Ballarin Barbera d’Alba Pilade 2011-12 (€9) is sourced from younger vines, and the wine sees only 6 months oak. This results in a lighter style, with a touch more restraint.
Time then to try the barolo’s!
Describe barolo wines?
Effortlessly powerful.
Barolos carry flavour, but have a tightly woven structure, with fruit which holds it together.
Each of the Cascina Ballarin barolos is single vineyard, reflecting the terroir in which it was grown.
The Cascina Ballarin Barolo Tre Ciabot 2011 (€22) is aged half in large format Slovonian barrels, and half in modern barriques. The nose is porty, with sweet dried fruit and plenty of spice. Mouthfeel is medium, with dry but soft tannins, and a hint of new-car-smell on the aftertaste.

Inside the Cascina Bellarin tasting room. Photo: Willunga Wino
The Cascina Ballarin Barolo Brussia 2011 (€31) is from the vineyards on the highest south facing peaks. It spends 26 months in 75% old barriques. On the nose and in the mouth is chocolate Christmas cake. The medium-full body has nice tannins, and juicy finish.
Last in the line up, the Cascina Ballarin Barolo Bricco Rossa 2011 (€31) is aged in Slovenian large format, traditional barrels. Preserved orange sings through on the nose, with fruit cake spice on the palate, and softer tannin than the previous two barolos.
Cascina Ballarin is a true family affair, with comfortable accommodation or even camping offered. With stunning views up to La Morra township, and convenient but quiet location just ten minutes from La Morra and also Barolo town, it should be on your must visit list while in the Piedmont.
Best La Morra Barolo Winery Cascina Ballarin Cellar Door
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Comments make my day – so tell me – What did you like the sound of most at Cascina Ballarin? Have your say below!
Beautifully written. What a charming place.
Thank you Nicole 🙂 It is a special place, so different to cellar doors here, at Cascina Ballarin you were welcomed into their home