Gian Piero Marrone

Agricola Marrone: It’s a family affair!

Gian Piero Marrone
Owner & Winemaker
Agricola Marrone
La Morra, Italy

Gian Piero Marrone continues a long-standing family tradition of winemaking, started by nonno Pietro Marrone nearly six decades ago. As the current owner and winemaker of Agricola Marrone, Gian Piero continues to produce remarkable handcrafted, naturally farmed wines that demonstrate the intense flavors of the region. Steeped in tradition, with a number of the vineyards dating back sixty years or more, Agricola Marrone vineyards cover over 18 hectares (almost 45 acres) producing a range of grape varietals

Agricola Marrone consistently grows wines of an exceptional quality. The family’s vineyards are situated throughout the hills of the Langhe region in Annunziata, Cuneo, just outside the village of La Morra in northwestern Italy. Due to wide-ranging soil composition, the family’s vines produce a marvelous assortment of wine. The secret is in the soil: on the South side of the Tanaro River the clay-based soils give structure to the vines and allow for the production of excellent Barolo and Barbaresco wines; the sandy soil on the North side of the Tanaro River produces more simple Nebbiolo d’Alba and Roero wines.

In 37 years of winemaking, Gian Piero has only made three reserve wines — the 2001 Barolo is part of the Farmstead Wines collection. When the quality is outstanding enough for a reserve, the wine is made with strict adherence to the traditions of Barolo. This means only big wooden casks, natural fermentation, and natural filtration – the same process that nonno Pietro used. Harvesting is all done by hand. Pesticides would only hurt the soil content and are never used.

Gian Piero’s wife and three daughters are intimately involved in the family operation. In carrying on the family tradition, daughter Denise recalls a Marrone family value: “my father has always insisted that wine is the only product he knows which initially creates friendship, then business.”

the farmstead wines collection

Agricola Marrone 2006 Langhe Arneis Tre Fie
Rich, full flavored with green apple notes, minerality, crisp acidity and a long finish.

Agricola Marrone 2004 Chardonnay Memundis
Rich, sur lie, ripe tannins, wood is integrated, good acidity, and a lengthy finish. Mouth feel is round without being fat.

Agricola Marrone 2001 Barbera d’Alba La Pantelera
Full bodied, good structure with cola and hints of cherries, well balanced acidity.

Agricola Marrone 2003 Barolo Pichemej
Rich, powerful tannins and balanced acidity- easily put away for five years: integrated wood, supple cassis, cinnamon notes and a long finish.

Agricola Marrone 2001 Barolo Pichemej Reserva
Edges are beginning to lighten, good acidity (further aging potential), tannins round, sweet spice notes, dried fruits, leather; finish is long with alcohol present, but changes to sweetness and vanilla notes.

Agricola Marrone 2006 Moscato d’Asti Soleil d’ Oro
Fruity aromas, crisp clean acidity, pleasant aromatic nose, well balanced with a tinge of frizzante and only 5% alcohol.