Description
The name derives from the traditional farming system to "Maggiorina" formed by four screws that extend along the four cardinal points. The system, which has existed for centuries, was actually completed by the designer of the "Mole", the architect Antonelli, born in Maggiora, belonging to the town of Boca DOC production area. This system is no longer compatible with the changing needs of farming, but to which we remain connected, grateful for the quality and charm that has always aroused.
Serve at:
14 -16 °C.
Longevity:
05 - 10 years
Decanting time:
1 hour

- Start up year: 1998
- Oenologist: Christoph Künzli
- Bottles produced: 70.000
- Hectares: 10
In the nineties, the vinologist Alexander Trolf and the vintner Christoph Künzli showed enthusiasm for the forgotten wine region of Boca and its great wines. They were convinced that this would be the right place for a high-class wine property. At that time they became acquainted to Antonio Cerri, one of the last wine- growers to produce the typical and outstanding Boca wine. His vineyard »Campo delle Piane«, with an area of 0.6 hectares, was situated above the village and meanwhile had been surrounded by a forest. Cerri produced approx. 2'500 litres of wine every year, until 1991. The site is planted with Spanna grapes, aged more than 50 years.
In view of his advanced age of more than 80 years, Antonio Cerri decided to retire, and he offered to sell his vineyard to Alexander Trolf and Christoph Künzli. They took their chance and step-by-step they acquired further small plots. Like a puzzle the property grew together and became the new wine property »Le Piane« with a vineyard area of 6.5 hectares with a possibility for extensions.
The purchased grounds were cleared and newly terraced, in cooperation with the authorities of the nearby natural reserve of Monte Fenera. The restored vineyard areas were planted with Nebbiolo vines and other vines specific to the region.
Unfortunately Alexander Trolf did not live to see this successful development of the vineyard as he died in a tragic road accident His ideas and dreams however will remain in the vineyard »Meridiana« which he replanted. The prominent yellow house therein has become the society's logo and thus symbolizes the new beginning. Read more


Name | Le Piane La Maggiorina 2022 |
---|---|
Type | Red still |
Denomination | VdT |
Vintage | 2022 |
Size | 0,75 l |
Alcohol content | 13.5% by volume |
Grape varieties | 50% Nebbiolo, 40% Croatina, 5% Uva Rara, 5% Vespolina |
Country | Italy |
Region | Piedmont |
Vendor | Le Piane |
Story | Here, this ancient, thousand-year-old heritage of Novara wine-growing is kept alive, probably dating back to before the Romans, a system of planting that is found in Pliny the Elder's 'Natural History' (23-79 AD). For hundreds of years, the traditional 'Maggiorina' system was the only known way of cultivation: three vines spread out at the four cardinal points forming the 'Maggiorino' square. All of the vines that survived the collapse of the 1950s, planted between 1910 and 1920 (post phylloxera) are still productive and in good health today, their fruit is of great quality even if small in quantity. Over the centuries there have been various modifications, in Roman times the trees were used to support the vines, today chestnut poles harvested from the surrounding forests. The most recent modification by the architect Antonelli, designer of the Mole Antonelliana, the Boca Sanctuary and the San Gaudenzio Dome, was to span the poles outwards to create a counterweight to the weight of the grapes. The combination of these variations in the layout made it perfect for manual labour. Past generations have left us this sustainable legacy that is kept healthy. Pruning away from the roots prevents pathogens from attacking them, the old shoots, which need at least 5 years to renew themselves, curb the vigour of the plant by putting leaf and fruit in perfect harmony, the sun reaches the leaves at every point and the plant by its construction is also partially protected from hailstorms. Today the Maggiorina teaches us that, although it is considered by modern agriculture to be an obsolete system, we can also work rows of vines by hand, preserving the historicity of those who have worked. |
Origin | Vineyards in the town of Boca and Prato Sesia |
Climate | Altitude: 400 - 450 m. a.s.l. |
Cultivation system | Breeding "Maggiorina", the old system that we work only by hand because machines not passable. |
Yield per hectare | 50 q. |
Harvest | early October. |
Production technique | Fermentation and maceration on the skins 5-6 days in open vats or closed stainless steel 20hl with pumping 3 times a day. |
Wine making | After the press stay in steel vats for a year after bottling. |
Total acidity | 5.5 gr/L |
Allergens | Contains sulphites |