Valfaccenda: A Life in the Hills of Roero

Luca Faccenda grew up among the steep hills of Roero, a historic and geographically distinct region of Piedmont, north of the province of Cuneo and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2014. His family has been cultivating grapes in the Valle Faccenda—a small valley connecting the villages of Canale and Cisterna—for generations.

Today, together with Carolina Oggero, Luca leads Valfaccenda, a small, artisanal winery they founded in 2010. The couple began by renovating Luca’s grandfather’s old farmhouse and restoring the family’s vineyards planted with Arneis and Nebbiolo. They now farm about four hectares of vines, split across different parcels, including a prized holding in the renowned Valmaggiore cru of Roero.

Luca, a trained oenologist with experience at a prestigious estate in Barolo, is devoted to organic farming—still a rarity in the area. He prefers to let Roero speak in its own voice, rather than mimic the powerful wines of the nearby Langhe. The steep, sandy soils of Roero yield wines that are lighter, aromatic, and full of charm—distinctly their own.

Carolina, a graphic designer by training, left her job in Turin to immerse herself fully in vineyard life. She now designs all of Valfaccenda’s labels, bringing a personal and creative touch to each bottle. The two of them manage every aspect of the project by hand, with care and dedication.

Their vineyards are located in two key areas: one in Santo Stefano Roero, with a south-facing exposure that yields rich, fully ripened grapes, and another in Val Faccenda, facing east, nestled in the heart of this dynamic winemaking region. Here, they produce wines like Vin da Beive—a juicy, easy-drinking red—an elegant white from Arneis, and their Roero Riserva DOCG Valmaggiore.

In addition to their winemaking, Luca has joined forces with two long-time friends to create SoloRoero, a collective dedicated to championing the local identity of the Roero. The initiative promotes the exclusive cultivation of native varieties like Arneis and Nebbiolo, supports sustainable and organic farming practices, and seeks to elevate Arneis as a serious white wine capable of aging, not just immediate enjoyment.

Despite producing only a small number of bottles, Luca’s commitment and the undeniable quality of his wines have made Valfaccenda a reference point in Roero for anyone passionate about artisanal, natural winemaking—and for a region that is still very much evolving.