The landscape of the Bormida valley is characterised by a wide dale with a gradually sloping ridge on the eastern side. The western side is much steeper.

It even has a cliff at the level of the village Monesiglio, the Roccabianca.

Above it is a landscape of man-made terraces overlooking the northern and southern part of the valley. This terraced landscape was recently declared UNESCO cultural heritage.

The vineyard lies in a landscape basin. It is flanked on the left and right by ridges, while the wood situated higher up acts as a windshield.

This basin provides a protected microclimate.

In the early spring there is hardly any night frost, unlike down in the valley. The vineyard catches the warmth of the sun from the first sunbeams of the morning.

Afterwards it benefits from the cooler evenings when the sun sets behind the mountain where Mombarcaro is situated, also known as the Vetta delle Langhe (the highest point of the Langhe).

In the light of the current effects of climate change, the vineyard is favourably located at a height of 600 metres above sea level, which benefits the maturing of the grape.

In 2012 we decided to plant three types of grape – Barbera, Dolcetto and Pinot Noir – to see which would prosper most at this altitude.

After three years the Pinot Noir proved to be the most adapted to the site. In 2015 the vineyard was laid out with an initial stock of 1,000 Pinot Noir plants.

We are keen to treat the vineyard as a natural phenomenon and to leave it to its own devices as much as possible.

We have therefore opted for a method of cultivation that enables the minerals in the soil to benefit the stems best. We do not turn the soil.

The various grasses and wild herbs that appear provide a haven for useful insects. We have also chosen a few host plants to limit the presence of natural pests.

A biological cultivation of the vines strengthens natural resistance and promotes a good circulation in the rhizosphere of the roots.

The active organic processes in the soil reinforce the plant and render it less vulnerable to familiar diseases such as mildew.

Sand&Berg have chosen a landscape layout for their garden in which the vineyard plays its part alongside the rowan, rose, mulberry, hazel and hornbeam in an ecological whole.

With our Pinot Noir we prefer a small production.

At a time when everything is supposed to be bigger and bigger, more and more, we want an optimal wine that can receive all the attention it deserves in the vineyard and in the bottling.

It seems only logical to us to let nature take its course with a natural product.

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