The Cerettos: One Family’s Impact on Barolo Through Architecture
Ceretto Alba Winery
Image | Ceretto Winery
Feast your eyes on Piemonte's Langhe-Roero-Monferrato breathtaking landscape and you’ll immediately understand why this region of Italy is a protected UNESCO heritage site. You can imagine how strict the building regulations must be in a place like this, where homes and wineries must fit perfectly into the picturesque countryside.
Yet the Ceretto family—entrepreneurs of Ceretto Winery, Relanghe Hazelnuts, and restaurants (including the 3-star Michelin-rated Piazza Duomo)—have been able to integrate their love for art and culture into the Langhe with imagination and sensitivity. In many ways food and wine are art, evoking feelings and emotions which create memories and give you a sense of place. Thanks to the Ceretto family, cultural points of interest now dot the landscape, with the installation of iconic pieces of art.
MADONNA DELLE GRAZIE (a.k.a. CAPPELLA DELLE BRUNATE)
The colorful chapel, Cappella delle Brunate
Image | Ceretto Winery
In Piemonte you will see numerous old brick sheds or little chapels in the middle of the vineyards. These unconsecrated chapels were often used as shelter for the workers in case of unexpected rain or hailstorms. Understandably, the Ceretto family were sorry to see their tiny, 1914 chapel fallen into decay on a part of their property in one of the most important vineyard sites in Barolo. So they decided to bring it back to life by calling on their international artist friends David Tremlett and Sol Lewitt, known for their conceptual artwork. The artists' vision was to paint the classic chapel with vibrant colors on the exterior and calming colors for the interior. It was the first of its kind in the Barolo area. Since the chapel's revival in 1999, it has become an iconic symbol and one of the most photographed chapels in Langhe. You might expect it to stick out like a sore thumb but it fits surprisingly well into the hilly landscape—so well, in fact, that it can actually be hard to find! Following the bumpy backroads in La Morra to get there is all part of the fun!
THE ACINO (THE GRAPE DOME)
The acino grape you can walk through and enjoy the view of the vineyards at Ceretto Winery.
Image | Anna Savino
Another one of the Cerettos’ architectural contributions to the Piemontese wine country came with the arrival of The Acino (The Grape) in 2009. Unique to say the least, this clear bubble was the concept of architects Luca and Marina Deabate and was designed to look like a grape hanging over the Monsordo Bernardina vineyard in Alba. Combining art with utility, it was a creative and artistic space to host events and special wine tastings at the Ceretto winery. I would even dare to say it that it enhances the scenery in a very respectable way.
IL CUBO (THE CUBE)
Il Cubo—The Cube—at Rocche Castiglione
Image | Ceretto Winery
The Ceretto Glass Cube, also designed by the architects Deabate, is located on a hilltop in the smallest vineyard in Barolo, called Bricco Rocche in the town of Castiglione Falletto. In an area with jaw dropping views and hilltop castles, this transparent frame-free cube once again manages to complement, rather than detract from, the natural panorama. This is the Cerettos’ magic touch, which I believe also extends its power over the wines they produce. Using organic techniques since 2015, tradition is respected while skillfully incorporating artistic thinking and attention to details to their wine and to their surroundings.
The Cerettos have continued to add to the culture of the area, both by hosting important exhibitions and installing pieces of work by friends like local artist Valerio Berruti. Since the debut their architectural and artistic initiatives, others have followed, adding their own fun pieces of art to the landscape, such as the Parco d'Arte Quarelli or the giant pencil and eraser swing in Coazzolo. Local artists Ryta from Purpleryta Barolo and Pierflavio Gallina in La Morra exhibit their work at their studios, churches and can even be found on wine labels. Where there is wine, there is art!
Anna and her family at the pencil and eraser swing in Coazzolo
Image | Anna Savino
