13/11/2024
Domenico Clerico’s journey began modestly with Dolcetto vines, today 75-year-old Dolcetto, but his commitment to innovation soon expanded his vineyard holdings to four distinguished crus: Bussia, Ginestra, Mosconi, and Bricco San Pietro. Just outside of Monforte, in the Baudana Cru, Domenico’s last vision was to create elegant Barolo in Serralunga. This dream led to the creation of Aeroplanservaj—“wild airplane”—a homage to his adventurous spirit.
Every grape, even for the Langhe Nebbiolo Capismee, originates from the four Monforte sites with vines averaging 25 years of age. Known as one of the original “Barolo Boys,” Clerico embraced green harvesting, shorter macerations, roto fermentors, and barriques, setting the stage for a generational shift in Barolo winemaking.
Today, the winery has evolved beyond this style, using techniques like parcel division, delicate extractions, and a range of wood vessel sizes to highlight each vineyard’s character and Monforte’s terroir. Barolo today is more approachable in its youth, and Clerico’s wines are especially vibrant, crisp, and expressive. While Barolo deepens with age, Clerico’s wines hold a unique promise of both drinkability and ageability, combining youthful allure with long-term potential. Oscar Arrivabene, who joined Clerico before his passing, continues this vision, affirming, “Domenico was the artist; we are the artisans.”