Barolo MGA vineyards

The Barolo appellation consists of 181 individual MGAs, the official designation for cru vineyards in Italy. Each MGA has its own identity, shaped by soil, altitude, exposure, microclimate, and the winemaker's craftsmanship. It is precisely this combination that makes Barolo so exceptional: within one small region, wines emerge with a surprisingly diverse character.

What is an MGA, and what is it not?

MGA stands for Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva, literally an "additional geographical mention". These are officially defined areas within the Barolo appellation. Since the 2010 harvest there have been 181 of them. Eleven are municipal MGAs, which you recognise on the label as, for example, Barolo del Comune di Barolo or Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d'Alba.

• If an MGA appears on the label, at least 85% of the grapes must come from that MGA.
• For yield, ageing and alcohol, the same rules apply as for any other Barolo.
• An MGA is not a quality class. Unlike the grands crus of Burgundy, the name says nothing about rank. A Barolo with a vineyard name is therefore not by definition better than a Barolo without a name or with a fantasy name. In practice, however, the MGA Barolo is usually a winery's most prestigious wine.

Vigna: a plot within the MGA

A producer may go one step further and name a specific plot within the MGA, preceded by the word Vigna. An example from our range is Scarzello's Barolo Sarmassa Vigna Merenda: the Merenda plot within the Sarmassa MGA. In Barolo, Vigna may only appear on the label together with the MGA, and stricter rules apply: a maximum of 7.2 tonnes of grapes per hectare instead of 8, and at least 13% natural alcohol in the grapes.

How to recognise all these names on a bottle is explained in our guide reading a Barolo label.

The absolute top of the appellation is found in municipalities such as Serralunga d'Alba, Castiglione Falletto, Barolo, Monforte d'Alba and La Morra. Many of the most refined and sought-after Barolos come from here, not only because of the quality of the producers, but especially because of the unique soil composition and favorable positioning of the vineyards.

Iconic vineyards

Within Barolo are a number of MGAs that capture the imagination worldwide. These are the vineyards where the most prestigious and expensive Barolos come from.

Cannubi - The world-famous vineyard near Barolo itself, with a rich history and an impressive list of top producers, including Francesco Rinaldi, E.Pira (Chiara Boschis), Sandrone and Fenocchio.

Vigna Rionda - A legendary MGA in Serralunga with Barolos from, among others, Luigi Pira, Germano Ettore, Massolino, both Oddero houses and Guido Porro.

Brunate: situated in Barolo and La Morra; producers include Francesco Rinaldi, Boggione and Marengo

Monprivato: in Castiglione: almost entirely owned by the legendary Giuseppe Mascarello

Bricco Boschis: in Castiglione: producers Rocche Viberti and Cavallotto

Francia: (Serralunga) fully owned by Giacomo Conterno since 1978, where the legendary Barolo Monfortino is only produced in the best years

Lazzarito: (Serralunga) including Germano Ettore, Boasso and Guido Porro

Monvigliero: (Verduno) Paolo Scavino, Fratelli Alessandria and Burlotto

Other crus not to be underestimated:

Rocche di Castiglione (Castiglione Falletto)
Villero (Castiglione)
Margheria (Serralunga)
Gabutti (Serralunga)
Rocche dell' Annunziata (La Morra)
Ravera (Barolo/Novello)
Cerretta (Serralunga)
Marenca (Serralunga)
Mosconi (Monforte)

All MGAs at Barolo & Co

We have created a dedicated page for every MGA we sell a Barolo from, with its precise location, soil, and altitude.

Barolo: Cannubi, Boschetti, Bricco delle Viole, Sarmassa, Terlo, Brunate, Ravera

La Morra: Brunate, Bricco Rocca

Serralunga d'Alba: Vigna Rionda, Margheria, Gabutti, Marenca, Lazzarito, Boscareto, Cerretta, Prapò, Teodoro

Monforte d'Alba: Bussia, Ginestra, Le Coste di Monforte, Mosconi, Perno

Novello: Ravera

We have made our own (work-in-progress) Google Maps map, with help from Vinous, of the MGA vineyards and the positions of the wineries we work with.

You can find them all via the map below.

Rare complexity and diversity

Barolo counts 181 MGAs and around 300 producers who make one or more Barolos. That explains the enormous richness of styles, aromas, and structures that make this appellation so unique. From powerful and structured to refined and ethereal: Barolo offers a broad palette that can even vary within a single cru from plot to plot.

That is precisely where the magic of this wine region lies. Barolo is not one style, but a collection of great terroirs. Every combination of cru and winemaker tells its own story, and that is exactly where the appeal of Barolo lies.

The typical grey marl from Serralunga d'Alba