2024 San Barnaba Langhe Freisa – Piedmont, Italy – Rare Italian Red Wine

🍷 A CRACKING ALTERNATIVE VARIETY! ONE OF PIEDMONT'S MOST UNDERRATED RED GRAPES – AND AN ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING WINE!

2024 San Barnaba Langhe Freisa – Piedmont, Italy

RRP $86 | Rare Indigenous Italian Red | An Outstanding Discovery

If you love discovering extraordinary wines from rare and almost forgotten grape varieties, the 2024 San Barnaba Langhe Freisa is a wine you absolutely need to experience.

This is a cracking alternative variety.

Beautifully fragrant, wonderfully energetic and full of the wild red fruit, floral perfume, savoury spice and distinctive tannin structure that makes the indigenous grape varieties of Piedmont so fascinating.

And the story behind the wine is every bit as compelling.

Freisa is one of Piedmont's oldest red grape varieties, closely related to the legendary Nebbiolo.

Yet despite its extraordinary heritage, it remains relatively unknown outside Italy.

While Nebbiolo has become internationally celebrated through the great wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, Freisa has quietly remained one of the region's hidden treasures.

And what a treasure it can be.

Think wild strawberries, red cherries, raspberries, violets and dried rose petals, complemented by liquorice, wild herbs and beautifully integrated savoury spice.

The palate is wonderfully vibrant, with refreshing acidity, fine yet assertive tannins and a long, savoury finish.

There is a fascinating combination of elegance and rustic character.

It is fragrant, energetic, beautifully structured and completely different from the usual Italian reds.

The producer is equally exciting.

San Barnaba is a relatively new project bringing together brothers Roberto and Giovanni Pasquero with Francesco Rocca, son of the legendary Barbaresco producer Bruno Rocca.

Together, they are producing some fascinating wines that celebrate the extraordinary diversity of Piedmont.

At $86 a bottle, the 2024 San Barnaba Langhe Freisa is a brilliant opportunity to discover one of Italy's most intriguing indigenous red varieties.

San Barnaba – An Exciting New Generation of Piedmontese Winemaking

San Barnaba is a young, ambitious wine project based in Serralunga d'Alba, one of the most celebrated villages in the Barolo region.

The venture brings together three friends with an extraordinary connection to Piedmont.

Brothers Roberto and Giovanni Pasquero have spent years working in the region's vineyard and property markets, developing an intimate knowledge of the extraordinary landscapes of Barolo and the wider Langhe.

Their friend Francesco Rocca brings an exceptional winemaking pedigree.

Francesco is the son of Bruno Rocca, whose family estate is recognised as one of the great names of Barbaresco.

The Bruno Rocca winery has developed an international reputation for producing beautifully refined, expressive Nebbiolo from some of Barbaresco's most celebrated vineyards.

Francesco has grown up surrounded by this extraordinary winemaking heritage.

But San Barnaba is not simply another traditional Piedmontese winery.

The project is driven by a desire to explore the full diversity of the region, including indigenous varieties that have often been overlooked in favour of Nebbiolo.

Freisa is one of the most exciting examples.

The philosophy is based on careful vineyard selection, indigenous fermentations and winemaking that preserves the individual character of each variety.

San Barnaba is exactly the kind of producer we love discovering at Liquid Vibe – small, independent, deeply connected to its region and producing wines of genuine individuality.

Freisa – One of Piedmont's Most Fascinating Indigenous Grapes

Freisa is one of the great hidden treasures of Italian wine.

It has been cultivated in Piedmont for centuries and shares a close genetic relationship with Nebbiolo.

In fact, genetic research has identified a parent-offspring relationship between the two varieties.

This is particularly fascinating because the similarities are immediately apparent in the glass.

Like Nebbiolo, Freisa can possess beautiful floral perfume, vibrant acidity and distinctive tannin structure.

But Freisa has a personality entirely its own.

The fruit profile is often wonderfully expressive, with wild strawberries, raspberries, cherries and delicate floral notes.

There can also be a fascinating savoury dimension, with liquorice, dried herbs, pepper and earthy spice.

The tannins are particularly interesting.

Unlike many modern reds designed to be soft and immediately approachable, traditional Freisa can possess a firm, energetic structure that makes it especially appealing with food.

And that is part of its charm.

Freisa is not trying to be Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo or anything else. It is a distinctive, historic Piedmontese variety with its own extraordinary personality.

For serious Italian wine enthusiasts, that makes it a particularly rewarding discovery.

High-Altitude Vineyards Near Santo Stefano Belbo

The fruit for the 2024 San Barnaba Langhe Freisa comes from high-altitude vineyards near Santo Stefano Belbo, in the wider Langhe area of Piedmont.

This is a fascinating landscape of rolling hills, historic vineyards and extraordinary viticultural heritage.

The elevation of the vineyards is particularly important.

Higher-altitude sites can experience cooler temperatures, particularly at night, helping grapes retain natural acidity and develop aromatic complexity.

For Freisa, this is especially valuable.

The variety is celebrated for its freshness, perfume and tannin structure.

The cooler conditions of elevated vineyards can help preserve these characteristics while allowing the fruit to achieve flavour ripeness.

The result is a wine that combines expressive fruit with remarkable energy.

This is one of the great attractions of the Langhe – the ability to produce red wines with genuine flavour concentration while retaining beautiful freshness and elegance.

Wild Strawberries, Violets, Liquorice & Savoury Spice

The 2024 San Barnaba Langhe Freisa is a wonderfully distinctive red wine.

The aromatics are immediately appealing.

Wild strawberries, raspberries and red cherries combine with delicate floral notes of violet and dried rose petals.

There is a fascinating savoury dimension.

Liquorice, wild herbs and gentle spice provide additional complexity.

The palate is bright, energetic and beautifully structured.

Fresh red-fruit flavours provide an attractive generosity, while lively acidity gives the wine wonderful tension.

The tannins are firm and grippy, adding definition and a distinctive rustic edge.

This is one of the characteristics that makes Freisa so interesting.

Rather than offering only soft, polished fruit, the wine possesses genuine structure and personality.

The finish is persistent, refreshing and savoury.

It is a wine that combines fragrance, freshness and a beautifully traditional Piedmontese tannin structure.

For anyone who appreciates red wines with genuine individuality, this is a fascinating experience.

Traditional Winemaking – Indigenous Yeasts & Minimal Intervention

The winemaking behind the 2024 San Barnaba Freisa is designed to preserve the distinctive character of the variety.

Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in barrique.

This approach allows the natural yeast populations associated with the grapes and winery to participate in fermentation.

The objective is to produce a wine that expresses the fruit and vineyard without unnecessary manipulation.

The wine is bottled without filtration, helping preserve its natural texture and character.

This is particularly important for Freisa.

The variety possesses a distinctive combination of floral perfume, lively acidity and tannin structure.

Excessive winemaking intervention could easily obscure these qualities.

Instead, San Barnaba focuses on producing a wine that remains faithful to its origins.

The result is a wonderfully authentic expression of Freisa – fragrant, energetic, savoury and full of personality.

Beyond Barolo & Barbaresco – Discover Another Side of Piedmont

When most wine enthusiasts think of Piedmont, they immediately think of Barolo and Barbaresco.

And understandably so.

These are among the greatest red wines in the world.

But Piedmont has an extraordinary collection of indigenous grape varieties that deserve far more international recognition.

Freisa is one of the most fascinating.

It shares a close relationship with Nebbiolo but produces wines with a different balance of fruit, perfume and structure.

Where Barolo can be powerful, deeply tannic and built for decades of ageing, Freisa often offers a more immediate expression of vibrant red fruit and aromatic energy.

Yet it retains a wonderfully traditional Piedmontese character.

The acidity is lively.

The tannins are distinctive.

And the savoury complexity makes the wines particularly rewarding with food.

For serious wine lovers, discovering Freisa is like opening another chapter in the extraordinary story of Piedmont.

And San Barnaba is a wonderful producer through which to explore it.

🇫🇷 A Fascinating Alternative to Pinot Noir & Nebbiolo

For enthusiasts of elegant Pinot Noir, fine red Burgundy and beautifully fragrant Nebbiolo, Freisa can be a revelation.

It shares certain attractive characteristics with these varieties.

There is delicate red-fruit perfume, floral complexity and a wonderful sense of freshness.

But Freisa also possesses a firmer, more rustic tannin structure that gives it a distinctive identity.

The combination can be absolutely captivating.

It is the kind of wine that rewards attention.

The more time it spends in the glass, the more its savoury and aromatic complexity can emerge.

If you enjoy exploring unusual grape varieties, traditional Italian reds or wines that offer something completely different from the mainstream, this is a brilliant discovery.

A Magnificent Food Wine

Freisa is one of those red wines that truly comes alive at the dinner table.

Its vibrant acidity and distinctive tannin structure make it particularly well suited to traditional Piedmontese cuisine.

Think charcuterie, salami, prosciutto and beautifully prepared antipasti.

The wine would also be magnificent alongside mushroom risotto, pasta with a rich ragù, roast chicken and grilled pork.

Its savoury character makes it a wonderful partner for braised meats, slow-cooked beef and dishes featuring wild herbs.

Aged cheeses are another excellent match.

The acidity helps refresh the palate, while the tannins provide structure and balance.

This is a red wine that deserves to be enjoyed with great food, preferably around a table with friends.

Enjoy Now or Follow Its Development

The 2024 San Barnaba Langhe Freisa is already attractive for its vibrant fruit and floral perfume.

However, the wine's acidity and tannin structure suggest that it may also benefit from some additional bottle age.

With time, youthful strawberry and cherry characters can develop towards dried flowers, savoury herbs and more complex earthy notes.

For those who appreciate traditional Piedmontese reds, this evolution can be particularly rewarding.

But there is no need to wait.

A little time in a decanter or a generous glass should help the wine reveal its aromatic complexity.

This is a wine that offers genuine pleasure today, with the potential to develop further over the next few years.

Why We Love This Wine at Liquid Vibe

At Liquid Vibe, we absolutely love discovering wines that challenge expectations.

And the 2024 San Barnaba Langhe Freisa is exactly that kind of wine.

First, there is the grape variety.

Freisa is one of Piedmont's oldest and most fascinating indigenous reds, closely related to Nebbiolo but possessing a completely distinctive personality.

Then there is the producer.

San Barnaba brings together the Pasquero brothers and Francesco Rocca, combining extraordinary regional knowledge with a genuine passion for producing authentic Piedmontese wines.

And then there is the wine itself.

Wild strawberries. Raspberries. Violets. Liquorice. Savoury herbs. Vibrant acidity. Beautifully structured tannins.

There is fragrance, freshness, complexity and wonderful individuality.

This is not a wine designed to taste like everything else.

It is a wine that celebrates the extraordinary diversity of Italian viticulture.

And that is exactly why we love it.

At $86 a bottle, the 2024 San Barnaba Langhe Freisa is a fascinating opportunity to experience one of Italy's most underrated indigenous red varieties from an exciting new Piedmontese producer.

A cracking alternative variety. A brilliant young producer. A wine full of character and personality.

If you love discovering something genuinely different, this is a wine you absolutely need to try.

Wine Details

• Producer: San Barnaba

• Wine: Langhe Freisa DOC

• Vintage: 2024

• Region: Langhe, Piedmont, Italy

• Grape Variety: Freisa

• Vineyard Origin: High-altitude vineyards near Santo Stefano Belbo

• Producer Team: Roberto Pasquero, Giovanni Pasquero and Francesco Rocca

• Winery Base: Serralunga d'Alba, Piedmont

• Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts in barrique

• Filtration: Unfiltered

• Alcohol: 13.5%

• Style: Fragrant, vibrant, savoury and beautifully structured dry red

• Aromatic Profile: Wild strawberry, raspberry, cherry, violet, liquorice and dried herbs

• RRP: $86 per bottle

• Food Pairing: Charcuterie, mushroom risotto, roast chicken, grilled pork, braised meats and aged cheeses

• Serving Temperature: Approximately 15–17°C

• Drinking Style: Enjoy now or cellar for further development