Valfaccenda

Roero has spent years living in the shadow of Barolo and Barbaresco despite producing some of Piedmont’s most distinctive wines. Valfaccenda feels entirely uninterested in playing the comparison game.

Founded by Carolina Roggero and Luca Faccenda, the estate focuses exclusively on Roero, farming steep sandy vineyards planted mainly to Nebbiolo and Arneis. The aim is not to imitate neighbouring regions but to show what makes Roero different in the first place.

The wines tend to emphasise perfume, freshness and finesse. Nebbiolo here often shows rose petals, red berries, herbs and fine tannins rather than the heavier structure associated with Barolo. Arneis brings citrus, texture and mineral character, particularly from the region’s sandy soils.

There is a strong sense of place running through the entire range. Roero remains front and centre, both in the vineyard work and in the style of the wines themselves. Nothing feels designed around trends or international expectations.

Piedmont contains far more than its most famous appellations. Valfaccenda is one of the clearest examples of why looking slightly beyond the obvious names often pays off.