Pio Cesare: A pioneer of Piedmontese excellence
The Pio Cesare winery, a family-owned and operated estate, has been a cornerstone of the Piedmont region since its establishment in 1881. Founded by Cesare Pio, an entrepreneur with a vision to produce exceptional wines from the hills of Barolo and Barbaresco, the winery quickly became synonymous with quality and a deep respect for the terroir. Cesare Pio was among the first to champion the potential of these regions, prioritizing quality over volume in his winemaking philosophy.2 His dedication extended to promoting his wines throughout Europe in the early 20th century, laying the foundation for the winery’s international recognition.
Cesare’s son, Giuseppe Pio, inherited a thriving vineyard and continued his father’s passion, investing in cellar expansions and further establishing Pio Cesare as a benchmark brand for Piedmontese wines. The legacy continued through subsequent generations, each contributing to the winery’s growth and reputation. Notably, Pio Boffa, the fourth generation, led the business for over 40 years, further elevating its status on the global stage. Today, the winery is led by the fifth generation, Federica Rosy Boffa and her cousin Cesare Benvenuto, who continue to honor the family’s commitment to quality and tradition, while also embracing innovation, such as exploring Nebbiolo plantings in the Alta Langa region.
Pio Cesare is known for his classic Barolo DOCG, a wine that embodies the elegance, structure and aging potential of the Nebbiolo grape. This Barolo is traditionally produced using grapes from various prestigious family-owned vineyards in the Barolo area, including Serralunga d'Alba (Ornato, La Serra, Briccolina), Grinzane Cavour (Gustava, Garretti), La Morra (Roncaglie), Novello (Ravera) and Monforte (Mosconi). This approach of blending fruit from different terroirs allows for a Barolo that showcases the unique characteristics of the different vineyard sites.
Pio Cesare's winemaking follows a traditional style, emphasizing long skin contact and maceration periods of around 25-30 days in stainless steel tanks. The wines are then matured to develop their complexity and finesse. Their Barolo is known for its excellent structure, harmony, soft tannins and balanced fruit, making it accessible in its youth while still having significant aging potential.
Pio Cesare's vineyards are strategically located in some of the most highly regarded areas of Piedmont, totaling over 70 hectares (180 acres). These vineyards are situated in prime locations with excellent exposures, allowing the Nebbiolo grapes to achieve optimal ripeness and complexity. The family's philosophy is to blend the distinct characteristics of each vineyard and region to create wines that represent the overall terroir of the appellation rather than focusing solely on single-site expressions.
Pio Cesare's wines consistently receive high praise from wine critics and publications. Their Barolo DOCG in particular has garnered numerous accolades, with recent vintages receiving scores in the low to mid-90s from esteemed reviewers such as Wine Spectator, The Wine Advocate and James Suckling. These results reflect the winery's unwavering commitment to producing high-quality wines that are among the best in the Barolo region.
A distinctive feature of Pio Cesare is its enduring legacy as one of Barolo’s original pioneers, combined with its continuous pursuit of excellence over five generations. The winery’s ability to preserve its traditional winemaking philosophy while adapting to modern challenges, such as sustainability in vineyard management, underscores its commitment to both heritage and innovation. The “Barolo Pio” designation on their label serves as a tribute to the late Pio Boffa, a testament to the family’s deep roots and lasting impact on the world of Barolo.
