Azelia is still something of a wine lover's secret. Though the estate is not a high-profile one, proprietor Luigi Scavino is the cousin of Enrico Scavino of the renowned Paolo Scavino estate, and shares ownership of the famed Fiasco hill in Castiglione Falletto with him.

Luigi, his wife Lorella and son Lorenzo Scavino own and maintain 16 hectares of vines in Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d'Alba (including Cru Barolo from Margheria, San Rocco and Voghera Brea) and Montelupo Albese producing wines with beautiful fruit and aromatic purity.

Today's offer of the Azelia Dolcetto d'Alba "Bricco dell'Oriolo" is a truly special example of the sometimes forgotten variety. In a region famous for Nebbiolo, the varieties of Barbera, Fresia and Dolcetto are typically planted on the regions' less desirable sites. The very best placements with ideal sun exposure and aspect are reserved for the noble, late ripening Nebbiolo. However, in Montelupo Albese which is just outside of the Barolo DOCG, the Scavino family tends to one particularly beautiful vineyard of Dolcetto.  

The Bricco dell' Oriolo hails from a perfectly situated south facing vineyard in front of the Modonna dell' Oriolo Church. This vineyard comes from Luigi's mother's side of the family and holds a special place in his heart. At 600 meters it is one of the highest vineyards in the Langhe. The vines themselves are over 45 years of age. The vineyard receives exactly same treatment as the family's Barolo vineyards. Luigi hand prunes all of the vines himself. No chemical fertilizers are ever used and manure is applied only to the very poorest parcels every third or fourth year to encourage the vine roots to dig deep for water and nutrients. Grasses are allowed to grow between the rows to compete with the vines at the surface. Two green harvests are done every vintage; the grapes are picked by hand and sorted bunch by bunch in a rigorous selection process to include only the best possible fruit.  

The result is something truly unique - hand crafted, meticulously cared for, old vine fruit that is shocking value. This is gorgeously aromatic, silky, elegant Dolcetto that over-delivers in every possible way.