Nebbiolo is the king of northwest Italian red wine grapes, the signature of Piedmont and Lombardy. In the vineyard, Nebbiolo looks unimpressive, characterised by almost wild canopy growth, the berries range in colour from light to deep red. Grapes mature late in the season with low sugar and high acid levels. Following the harvest, fruit is crushed and transferred to tank for inoculation and eight days of vinification. Ferments are pumped over regularly to maintain consistent temperatures and to aid extraction from skins. Upon completion the batches are pressed into old French oak barrels for eighteen months maturation, before assembling into the final wine, stabilizing and clarification.