A New Artistic Journey Through the Vineyards
Dedicated to Michele Chiarlo and inspired by the Art Park La Court, Ugo Nespolo’s multisensory experience is now open to the public
The Chiarlo family is proud to announce the inauguration of the Cannubi Path, an artistic journey created by Maestro Ugo Nespolo and dedicated to Michele Chiarlo. This new project, which marks over a decade of fruitful and inspired collaboration, will be open to the public throughout the year (with the exception of harvest days). It’s a unique opportunity to celebrate and share the rich history and cultural legacy of Cannubi with a wider audience.
“It’s a special day for us—not just because we’re unveiling the Cannubi Path dedicated to our father Michele—but because we’re continuing a dream that began nearly 70 years ago. With Maestro Nespolo by our side, we’re bringing to life a project that invites everyone to experience the culture and passion that these vines represent.” says Stefano Chiarlo, winemaker and co-owner. “Over the years, we’ve cultivated some of the finest vineyards in Barolo, Barbaresco and Nizza. These vineyards have always been at the heart of everything we do, but there was a moment when we began to see them differently. That turning point came in the summer of 1996, during a sunset party at Cerequio. Back then, Palás was still a run-down village, there was nothing there, but it was one of the best celebrations we’ve ever hosted. It was then we realized that producing great wine wasn’t enough— we wanted to bring people into these vineyards and share them.” adds Alberto Chiarlo, marketing and sales director and co-owner.
The Cannubi Path draws its inspiration from the Art Park La Court, winding through the rows of Italy’s oldest cru. This is more than a visual embellishment—it’s a heartfelt tribute to the land, transforming a visit into a deep, multisensory experience. With installations set among the vines and in the ciabot, visitors are invited to fully connect with the landscape and feel the passion of those who cultivate it. The project celebrates the region’s rich winemaking history and cultural significance, further cementing the synergy between Nespolo’s art and Michele Chiarlo’s winemaking legacy— a collaboration that has already led to notable projectslike the Art Park La Court and the label for La Court Vignaveja Nizza DOCG Riserva.
This latest initiative adds to the exciting developments of 2024, showcasing the many facets of the Chiarlo winery. Among these is the Sky Bar & Lounge, which opened in June at the Palás Cerequio resort in La Morra, right in the heart of one of Barolo’s most renowned crus, as well as the exhibition “Nespolo & Chiarlo: since 2010, Art in the Vineyard”, currently on display in the Caveau of Barolo until the end of the year. Visitors can view some of Ugo Nespolo’s most significant works, along with previously unseen sketches that tell the story of his long-standing partnership with Michele Chiarlo.
The Chiarlo family warmly invites everyone to explore the Path and join in celebrating Cannubi as a shared cultural treasure, by experiencing this extraordinary blend of viticulture and art.
The Importance of Being Cannubi
Nestled in the heart of the Langhe region, Cannubi is one of Barolo’s most celebrated additional geographic designations. Its history stretches back to 1752, when the first bottle carrying the Cannubi name was produced—an artifact now preserved in the Manzone family archive in Bra. Cannubi’s global reputation was further solidified in 1879 by Lorenzo Fantini, who identified the area as one of the premier zones for viticulture. Cannubi sits at the confluence of two distinct geological formations, where thedeep, firm soils of the Helvetian meet the softer ones of the Tortonian. Each subzone—Cannubi Boschis, Cannubi San Lorenzo, Cannubi Muscatel and Cannubi Valletta—adds its own layer of character to this remarkable terroir.
In this prestigious setting, Chiarlo cultivates one hectare of vines in the historic heart of Cannubi, in the central part of the hill facing the town of Barolo. The steep terrain requires careful terracing with grassed embankments, designed to optimize sunlight, preserve the soil and prevent erosion. This delicate work, unique in the Barolo region, was executed under the guidance of experts from the Swiss University of Changin. Planted entirely with Nebbiolo, this vineyard produces some of Chiarlo’s most iconic wines, including Barolo DOCG Cannubi and the renowned Barolo DOCG Cannubi Riserva, both known for their elegance and exceptional aging potential.