Cascina Grillo Igiea Barbera 2007

Igiea is 100% Barbera from Cascina Grillo's estate vineyards near the village of Gamalero in Monferrato, Piedmont. The vines are 35 years old at time of harvest and grow in sandy, fast-draining soils on a plateau at around 350 meters above sea level. The continental climate at this site brings warm days and cool nights, concentrating fruit while preserving Barbera's naturally high acidity.

Winemaking follows a no-intervention approach: fermentation with indigenous yeasts, a 40-45 day maceration on skins in large wooden vats, and aging in large wood. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal added sulfur (16 mg/L total SO2). Guido Zampaglione intentionally holds these wines for many years before release, typically 8 to 15 years after harvest.

The 2007 vintage was released well over a decade after harvest. Time in bottle has softened the structure and deepened the secondary character: dried earth, forest floor, mushroom, and dried herbs sit alongside a core of bright wild cherry and red plum. The acidity remains vivid throughout.

Named for Guido's wife Igiea, after the ancient Greek goddess of health. The wine is vegan, unfined, and unfiltered.