Bruno Rocca took charge of the family business when his father died in 1978. Previously, Bruno had been working at Ferrero Rocher in Alba, as the family farm, which was selling its grapes, could not support more than one family.
Bruno started bottling the wine and soon established a name for himself as one of the finest producers in Barbaresco, thanks in no small part to his vineyards on the prized hill of Rabaja. Today, Bruno runs the estate with daughter Luisa and son Francesco. Total production is around 65,000 bottles. Stylistically, Bruno is a consummate modernist, making wines (from his now 15 hectares of vineyard) with great intensity of fruit while retaining the structure and elegance of the Langhe at its best. Bruno was inspired to look at Asti for a Barbera for the reason that, whereas the best sites in Alba are planted with Nebbiolo, the best vineyards in the Monferrato grow Barbera and therefore have the potential for quality that he is looking for. Anyone who thinks that Barbaresco is lighter and more 'feminine' (as the old books say) than Barolo should try Bruno's wines. Due to low yields from a fabled slope like Rabaja, the wine has a wonderful intensity and balance. The 2012 'Rabaja' is approachable yet elegant and, while drinking well now, is capable of ageing beautifully over the next decade. The Barbera d'Asti grapes come from one of the vineyards that Bruno bought recently in Vinchio, which is one of the best areas for the variety. His Barbera d'Alba, made from 50 year old vines, is complex and structured. The grapes for his Barbaresco come from younger vineyards, some of which are on sandier soil, resulting in a wine that is more forward and perfumed. It is superb for drinking now..
