The cru Lazzarito
There are no certain sources about the origin of the name, that someone ascribes to the presence, in ancient times, of a lazaretto. The name “Lazzarito” can be found in the register of landed properties in 1610. The farm that dominates the vineyards eas property of the “Opera Pia Barolo” ( Barolo Charitable Association) as from the inventory compiled for this association in 1859.
The “cru Lazzarito” is a big vineyard of almost 20 piedmontese “giornate” (less than 8 Hectares). The alitude varies from 350 m to the 400m a.s.l. The soil is similar, for its characteristics to the other parts of the hill, it’s maybe a bit less compact and they can observe red sandy granules.
Seen from the village “I Vei”, the Lazzarito can be seen like a beautiful basin, natural continuation of the vineyard Delizia of the “cru Paraclafa”, with expositions that go from South to West crossing South-West. It’s opportune to underline that the western part is very well considered because the basin is very well reapred from the wind.
The calcareous soil doesn’t allow great production of grapes but their quality is unquestionable. Lazzarito, has always been considered a first class cru able to offer great quality Barolo suitable for long conservation.
(Texts drawn from “Atlante delle vigne di Langa” Slow Food Editore)
The vineyard Lazzairasco
The lower part of the Lazzaritto, separated from that part of the vineyard by a country road started from the “Borgata I Vej”, is traditionally recognized as vineyard Lazzariasco.
This small vineyard (less than 2 hectares), situated between 300m and 350m a.s.l. of altitude has the same extension of the Lazzaritto, has a great quality thanks to its position (south/south-east) and to the best climate for the growth of Nebbiolo grapes. Protected to the winds by the highest part of the hill, in the middle of a basin where in summer the weather is boilng hot , this cru concentrate in himself all the characteristics of a great nebbiolo vineyard.
Lots of witnesses drawned among the old vine dressers of this area agree saying that from the Lazzariasco vineyard has always produced a good Barolo and that this small bit of the vineyard has always been considered excellent.
(Texts drawn from “Atlante delle vigne di Langa” Slow Food Editore)
The vineyard Santa Caterina
The small area placed after the Lazzarito towards Serralunga, is called Santa Caterina. Only part of this vineyard, that takes its name from the homonymous farm, is cultivated with Nebbiolo and it’s the part exposed to south-west.
The vines go down from the state road on a fresh soil that tends to be richer than the soil that is exposed to a stronger sun.
The value of this kind of vineyards is linked to the ability of the vines to produce excellent wines even during dry years. The small area is only 5 piedmontese “giornate” big (less than 2 hectares)and stands between 390 meters a.s.l. and 340 meters a.s.l. of altitude.
(Texts drawn from “Atlante delle vigne di Langa” Slow Food Editore)