Iollarum Monferrato Nebbiolo: Wine as an Act of Active Memory

A wine born from memory and brought into the present. This is Iollarum Monferrato Nebbiolo DOC , the newest addition to Cascina Castlèt, a Costigliole d'Asti winery, previewed at Vinitaly 2026.

Iollarum is much more than a name: it's a trace through time. This was the name given, in 1428, to the area of Costigliole d'Asti that today hosts the company's Nebbiolo vineyards. An ancient place name resurfaced thanks to the recovery of a historic street map, restored with the contribution of Cascina Castlèt and now preserved by the Municipality. A gesture that is both cultural and identity-building: bringing to light a fragment of history and returning it to the community. But this land tells an even deeper story: as early as the 19th century, the Marquis Asinari had chosen these soils to plant Nebbiolo alongside Chardonnay, sensing an extraordinary vocation and an agricultural vision capable of balancing tradition and openness.

"Iollarum was born from an act of responsibility towards our land," says Mariuccia Borio, owner of Cascina Castlèt. " It's not just a wine, but a gesture of giving back: recovering a name, a story, and reintroducing them so they can speak to new generations. I believe wine has this extraordinary role: preserving memory and at the same time making it alive, accessible, and shared. In this way, wine becomes an act of active remembrance."

A Nebbiolo between identity and vision

Nebbiolo, an ancient grape variety deeply rooted in the hills of Asti and Monferrato, is interpreted with a contemporary perspective, enhancing its authenticity and elegance. "We sought a precise balance between varietal identity and contemporary interpretation," explains Giorgio Gozzelino , winemaker. "The Nebbiolo here expresses a natural finesse that we wanted to preserve, working with a dual approach: the ceramic to maintain integrity and freshness, the wood to build structure and depth. The result is a wine that doesn't force, but accompanies, allowing the character of the terroir to clearly emerge."

The first vintage produced is 2023, from a 1.5-hectare vineyard planted in 2020, during a complex but symbolically powerful historical moment. Initial production is approximately 6,000 bottles, with a potential production of up to 12,000.

Nebbiolo Iollarum is distinguished by a 12-month refinement divided between ceramic barrels (50%) and French oak barriques (50%): a technical choice that allows it to preserve the freshness and fruity component of the grape variety, enriching it at the same time with structure, complexity and depth.

The label

Iollarum's identity is also shaped by its label, conceived as a true visual narrative. Inspired by the 1428 historical document, it presents a vortex of Latin words reminiscent of maps, paths, and stratifications.

A graphic sign that becomes a metaphor for wine itself: a journey through time, where every element—from the earth to memory—converges in a single expression.

It was created by the creative Marcello Pilone of the Gruppo Leader graphic studio in Canelli .

Cascina Castlèt: who we are

Over thirty hectares of vineyards that tell the story of a vision come true. Cascina Castlèt was born from a simple and ambitious idea: to cultivate with respect for nature, looking to the future with awareness and innovation.

The winery is located in Costigliole d'Asti, nestled in the hills bordering the Langhe and Monferrato regions, a region historically devoted to viticulture. Here, wine entrepreneur Mariuccia Borio has transformed a dream into a project, creating a business that combines deep roots with a contemporary vision.

For generations, the Borio family has cultivated native grape varieties—Barbera, Moscato, Uvalino, and Nebbiolo—an authentic expression of the terroir. Alongside these, over time, the company has also chosen to experiment with international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, in a constant dialogue between tradition and innovation.

This is how Cascina Castlèt wines are born: labels with strong personalities, characterized by evocative names like Passum, Policalpo, Avié, Litina, Goj, Ataj, Uceline, and Iollarum. Each name embodies a story, a fragment of family memory, and a deep connection to the land.

The cellar reflects this dual spirit: on one side, the historic underground spaces with large oak barrels; on the other, a modern aging facility, where barriques, tonneaux, and advanced technologies accompany the wines' evolution.

Sustainability is a central element of the project: Cascina Castlèt produces clean energy through a photovoltaic system and uses a natural phytoremediation system to treat wastewater. Every choice is aimed at combining respect for the environment and technological innovation throughout all stages of production.

The company welcomes guests in a wine shop with large spaces dedicated to tasting, confirming its vocation for hospitality and wine tourism.

Cascina Castlèt wines are now present in the main international markets: from New York to Tokyo, from Oslo to Sydney, all the way to the Dutch Antilles.