Barolo Serendipity: Meeting Ghisolfi & the Barolo Boys Legacy
A Barolo Worth Barking About: Our Happy Accident at Ghisolfi
Jan de Weerd, Spoken Wines
This will hide itself!
Barolo Serendipity: Meeting Ghisolfi & the Barolo Boys Legacy
A Barolo Worth Barking About: Our Happy Accident at Ghisolfi
Sometimes, the best wine experiences aren’t planned—they just happen. It was the day before Mother’s Day and we were exploring Monforte d’Alba in the Barolo wine region of Piedmont, Italy. Our daughter had flown over from South Africa to join us for the week supporting our Spoken Wines Italy discovery tour finding the stories behind the wine. It was a sunny but breezy day when we stumbled upon the Attilio Ghisolfi winery. Greeted by a beaming father doing yard work and an even happier dog who made us feel like her long lost friends, we discovered more than just good wine—we uncovered a living chapter in the modern Barolo story. And, come to find out that one of our most enjoyed Barolo wines ever, was produced right here!! Fate? Maybe. Serendipity? Definitely. And all thanks to the spirit of the Barolo Boys—those 1980s rebels whose vineyard revolution reshaped the region’s destiny.
The Barolo Boys and a Family’s Turning Point
In the 1980s, Barolo found its spotlight on the world stage thanks to a rebellious group of winemakers known as the Barolo Boys. Their modern style and bold global vision sparked a renaissance. For the Ghisolfi family, the ripple effect was transformative. Until then, they’d been fruit farmers, making wine only in small quantities for personal use. But as Barolo’s reputation grew, so did their ambition. They tore out their orchards and planted Nebbiolo and Barbera instead, committing fully to the region’s wine revolution. Every year in Monforte, they celebrate with Barolo Boys in Fuorigioco, a day of soccer and wine hosted by 39 town producers—Ghisolfi proudly among them. The rebel spirit lives on—with joy, unity, and a good glass to follow the game.
Every year in Monforte, they celebrate with Barolo Boys in Fuorigioco, a day of soccer and wine
Learning from the Land—and from Dad
Winemaking at Ghisolfi is a generational conversation. Father and son—Gianmarco and Davide—work side by side. “It’s like school,” Davide told us. “I learn something new from him every day.” That grounding in tradition comes with thoughtful evolution: the winery shifted from barriques to large Botti and tonneaux to soften the expression of Nebbiolo, making space for the wine’s natural elegance to shine.
Their vineyards stretch across 8 hectares, half dedicated to Barolo production. Bussia, Visette, and the classical Barolo blend represent distinct personalities from different soils and elevations. While Montforte d’Alba provides structure and power, neighboring villages like La Morra and Castiglione Falletto bring aromatic lift and finesse. Each vintage is shaped with careful maceration, native fermentation, and patient aging.
Attilio Ghisolfi's vineyards stretch across 8 hectares, half dedicated to Barolo production, the rest mostly Barbera
Barolo with a Smile (and a Wagging Tail)
What stayed with us—besides the wine—was the joy. A winery visit often comes with a plan and a mission, but this was pure serendipity. We showed up on a breezy Saturday afternoon and were welcomed without pretense. The family dog leapt up to greet us (repeatedly), and Davide poured us through the portfolio, explaining the vineyards, why he joined his father, and production insights. The standout for us? The Barolo Bussia—it stands as a legacy of that pivotal shift by the family back in the eighties— expressive, bold, yet refined. It has a lot going on ‘Earth, Wind, and Fire’. So much so that we shipped a case home to Idaho.
Tasting the wines felt like riding a classic Italian bicycle—symbolized on the label of their classical Barolo. There's a saying in Italy: “Se vuoi partire, sali in bici e pedala”—"If you want to go, get on the bike and pedal.” That spirit of momentum—driven by heritage, passion, and a touch of rebellion—is what gives Attilio Ghisolfi wines their charm.
Here is a link to Attilio Ghisolfi website to learn more and, perhaps, try some of their wines: www.ghisolfi.com/en
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