Background: Marta and Carlotta Rinaldi are sisters and sixth-generation winemakers at Azienda Agricola Giuseppe Rinaldi, a revered traditional Barolo estate in Piedmont, Italy. They took over after their father, Giuseppe “Beppe” Rinaldi, a legendary traditionalist nicknamed “Citrico” for his acerbic wit, passed away in September 2018 at age 69. Beppe, a veterinarian by training, led the estate from 1992, continuing the legacy of his father, Battista, and grandfather, Giuseppe, with a staunch commitment to traditional Barolo winemaking. Marta (born 1985), an enologist, joined in 2008 and focuses on winemaking, becoming the primary winemaker from 2010. Carlotta (born 1988), an agronomist with experience in New Zealand, joined in 2012 and manages the vineyards, describing herself as a “vineyard geek”. Their mother, Annalisa, also supports the estate. The sisters represent a female-led movement in Barolo, bringing a new sensibility while preserving tradition.web:4,8,13,17web:4,8,15,19web:14,23

Winery: Founded in 1870, the estate spans 8 hectares (6.1ha owned, 3.8ha Nebbiolo for Barolo) in prestigious crus: Brunate, Le Coste, Cannubi San Lorenzo, Ravera, and a recent 1.3ha Bussia plot. Organically farmed, the estate avoids certifications but follows natural practices (minimal sulfur, native yeasts, no filtration). They produce ~40,000 bottles/year, primarily Barolo, with small amounts of Langhe Nebbiolo, Barbera d’Alba, Dolcetto d’Alba, Freisa, and Ruchè (Rosae).web:4,15,23web:2,5,7,15web:4,18,21

Wines: Traditional, age-worthy reds from Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Freisa, and Ruchè. Key cuvées:

• Barolo Brunate (Nebbiolo): Blended with up to 15% Le Coste, powerful, with cherry, rose, and tar. Long maceration (25-30 days), aged 3.5 years in Slavonian oak botti, no sulfur at bottling.web:8,15,21

• Barolo Tre Tine (Nebbiolo): Blend of Le Coste, Cannubi San Lorenzo, Ravera, elegant, with red fruit and spice. Same vinification as Brunate.web:8,14,21

• Langhe Nebbiolo: Bright, cherry-driven, aged in botti, approachable younger.web:4,18

• Barbera d’Alba: Fruity, lively acidity, aged in neutral oak.web:18,22

• Dolcetto d’Alba: Fresh, plummy, stainless steel or oak.

• Langhe Freisa: Spicy, balsamic, medium-bodied, concrete or oak.

• Rosae (Ruchè): Aromatic, rose and spice notes, soft, festive.

Style: Austere, complex, with high tannins, requiring significant cellaring (10-20+ years for Barolo). Traditional methods (long maceration in wooden vats, no temperature control, large Slavonian oak, minimal intervention) yield pure, aromatic wines reflecting Barolo’s terroir. Their approach, rooted in Beppe’s philosophy of wine as art, emphasizes elegance and depth.web:13,15,19,21web:19,20,22

Female-Led Movement: Marta and Carlotta, alongside other women in Barolo, challenge gender norms in a historically male-dominated region. Carlotta’s hands-on vineyard work (e.g., pruning) surprises older generations, while Marta’s winemaking precision upholds the estate’s legacy. Their differences—Marta’s decisiveness, Carlotta’s introspection—complement their roles, fostering an evolving yet traditional approach. Marta’s daughter, Luce, born recently, signals the next generation.