Elvio Cogno

Elvio Cogno first came up with the idea to produce wine at the Ristorante dell’Angelo in La Morra, between tables and hungry patrons. Class of 1936 and originally from Novello, Elvio Cogno’s family had been cultivating grapevines for generations, but no one had thought of turning that work into a job.

The wine that the Cogno family began to produce did more than serve diners at their restaurant; it soon distinguished itself as a product of excellence.

It was so successful that by the end of the 1950s, with the support of a business partner and the growing prestige of his wines, Elvio Cogno decided to leave the restaurant business and produce wine full time. He began by collaborating with the Marcarini winery, who managed splendid vineyards in Brunate in the township of La Morra, cultivating nebbiolo destined for Barolo.

Elvio’s work became ever more oriented towards higher quality production and developing the incredible potential of the wines of the Langhe.

The first Barolo that the Cogno family bottled was the great vintage of 1961. Just three years later in 1964, far ahead of his times, Elvio Cogno decided to write the name of the vineyard on the label: Brunate. It was a sign of pride and knowledge of the uniqueness of his wines and of the terroir that helped to create them.

The period between 1970 and 1990 was a “golden age” for Barolo.

In these years, the “King of wines” secured its position on the market and — with the help of several stupendous vintages – entered in the category of great, red international wines.

The winery Cogno-Marcarini expanded and consolidated, becoming one of the principle wineries of the zone with important clients from all over the world.

At the end of the 1980s, Elvio Cogno decided to take another road. He felt that it was time to begin a more independent adventure in order to follow his dream of producing an exceptional Barolo, one that attested to the experience, care, and attention that he learned as a restaurateur and producer.

In 1990, with enormous sacrifices and courage, Elvio Cogno purchased the Cascina Nuova in Ravera. The great farmhouse is situated just below the town of Novello, whose castle and bell towers can be observed from the courtyard—like the Alps can be seen on the horizon on a clear day.

Elvio Cogno was 60 years old when he decided to start from zero. He rolled up his sleeves and began reconstruction work on the farmhouse. After acquiring the vineyards in Ravera, he began to experiment.

These were very difficult but heroic years; the work seemed infinite, yet so did the passion.

Alongside Elvio Cogno, his daughter Nadia and her husband Valter Fissore worked together, soon to enter in the business.

The Cogno production philosophy is traditional, which includes long fermentation and aging in large barrels. Their relationship with the earth, however, is innovative. They seek to understand the depths of that elusive concept of terroir, strengthening the rapport between viticulturists, vines, earth, and environment — a mix of factors that is translated into elegant, smooth, and characteristic wines.

The first nebbiolo harvest was in 1991. The wine entered the market four years later labeled as Barolo Ravera. It was the first bottle to carry the name of the vineyard and terroir, known as the menzione geografica, on its label, a practice that would not be regulated until years later.

With the vision of a dreamer and a pinch of recklessness, Cogno began to replant the vines. In 1991, Vigna Elena (named after the daughter of Nadia and Valter) was produced from a nebbiolo clone called «Rosé», noted for its subtle, fragrant aromas and light color. It was a risky choice, criticized by many; but over time, it earned prestige.

Today, Vigna Elena is the apple of Elvio Cogno’s eye, the most appreciated Barolo for its distinctive characteristics.

In 1996, Elvio Cogno passed his business to his son-in-law, Valter Fissore. Valter assumed his father-in-law’s role, continuing the work in the vineyards and earth to improve grape quality with a judicious and rational management, without straining or forcing the plants.

The winery acquired new machines and finished its reconstruction work with the granaries of Cascina Nuova.

The old vineyards were spruced up and new vineyards were bought, such as Bricco Pernice (located within the zone, or menzione, Ravera).

Elvio Cogno has the most vineyard-cultivated land within the Ravera menzione (from which he makes the wines Vigna Elena, Bricco Pernice, Cascina Nuova, and Barolo “Ravera”). Over the years, with the natural soil and climatic conditions and his attentive studies of the area’s terroir, he produced each wine with distinct characteristics, giving them unique, territorial peculiarities.

Today, after two generations of experiments and experience, Elvio Cogno continues to produce territory-focused wines with an ever more pronounced attention to sustainability in every phase of wine production. Elvio Cogno continues to develop the menzione “Ravera,” a terroir that represents the enological excellence of Novello and Barolo more than any other.

(Source: www.elviocogno.com)

The Elvio Cogno Winery produces the principle wines of the Langhe. The winery owns about fifteen hectares of vineyard property in Novello, one of eleven townships in the province of Cuneo in which Barolo DOCG production is allowed.

Elvio Cogno proceeded with vineyard management with this mindset, emphasizing the idea that true progress in the enological field coincides with agriculture and organic practices, believing that methods and interventions should be practiced in full respect of the environment, humans, and workers. Sustainability is the winery’s long-term goal.

Therefore, the winery began the conversion towards organic production several years ago for practices that will be followed once European certification is obtained.

Biological and earthworm humus are currently under study, as well as green manure made with herbaceous plants, which is useful for renewing the vigor of the vineyards; essential oils and microcrystals in place of industrial fertilizers; and non-invasive fungicides and pesticides.

For Elvio Cogno, living in a territory means respecting those who, in the future, will reap the harvest of the choices we sow.

In addition to certification, the winery ensures a healthy vineyard ecosystem and environmental biodiversity by eliminating synthetic treatments and fertilizers in the vineyards and the use of chemicals and invasive practices in the cellars.

(Source: www.elviocogno.com)

The winemaking methods use long, spontaneous fermentation, slow and never exaggerated extraction, a prudent use of submerged cap, large barrels, and the silence — mysterious and full of anticipation — of aging.

The wines of Elvio Cogno use technology sparingly, and only in support of the natural evolution of the wine, so that in every nuance, it carries the signature of the great cru of the family: Ravera.

The wines of Elvio Cogno draw their distinctive characteristics from this zone located in the township of Novello. The area has always been considered the best of its surrounding territory, and gives Elvio Cogno wines their uniqueness that, over time, has become a mark of distinction, their identifying character, and a symbol of the wisdom handed down over the generations.

Through the natural vineyard management and cellar methods, the wines reveal an elegant and graceful power, an enveloping smoothness, and an unexpected freshness accompanied by characteristic and pronounced aromas. The wines are ready to tell a new story every time, yet remain constant in their pride of their roots.

(Source: www.elviocogno.com)