Meet Chiara Boschis of E. Pira & Figli
One cannot discuss women winemakers in Italy without mentioning Chiara Boschis. After all, Chiara is the first woman to own and run a winery in Piedmont’s Langhe region. This lauded territory is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of Italy’s most famous red wines, including Barolo and Barbaresco, making Chiara a living legend. She has inspired and paved the way for a new generation of women winemakers in Italy and beyond.
Chiara was born into wine, as her ancestors founded the Giacomo Borgogno Winery in 1761. As a result, she grew up immersed in wine production and helping out with the harvest each year. But as a woman, she was not expected to pursue a career in agriculture. Furthermore, legal and cultural traditions of the time saw the baton pass from father to son. This meant Chiara’s brothers would become responsible for the family winery.
A Superstar is Born
That all changed in 1981 when Chiara, who was studying business and economics in Turin, heard that the historic E. Pira & Figli winery, owned by family friends, was for sale. She had her sights set on returning to the world of wine. Chiara convinced her parents to take out a mortgage to buy the winery and manage production until she finished her studies.
By the end of the 1980s, Chiara returned to the Langhe and became part of a group of rebellious young winemakers responsible for modernizing Barolo through experimentation with green harvesting techniques, shorter fermentations, and the use of French barriques. In 1990, Chiara produced her first vintage, a Barolo Riserva Cannubi. This wine won the prestigious Tre Bicchieri prize by Gambero Rosso. A superstar was born.
A Natural Approach
In Chiara’s constant quest to make great wine that speaks of place, her wine has seen a decrease in the use of French barrique over the years. Instead, she favored a return to large casks which are more traditional in the region. This is, in part, due to the influence of her brother Giorgio, who has joined Chiara at E. Pira & Figli since the sale of their family’s winery in 2008. Together they harvest the region’s native grapes (Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto) in some of the top crus of the region. They use native yeasts as well. The Boschis wines are never fined or filtered, to further ensure that the true nature of the grapes and terroir is expressed in each bottle.
This natural approach holds true in the vineyards, too. Chiara always farmed without herbicides and pesticides. However, in 2010, she decided to apply for organic certification, which she received in 2014. Admirably, Chiara also spearheaded the organic conversion of the Cannubi cru (a designated vineyard), which is carved out between 26 growers, including herself. The diplomacy, patience, and tenacity she demonstrated in convincing all but one vineyard owner to convert to organic viticulture was no small feat. But, that is Chiara: what is seemingly impossible, she manages to overcome.
A Group Effort
And Chiara’s passion for her territory does not stop with wine. About 10 years ago, she joined forces with friends and family to breathe new life into the abandoned hamlet of Valliera. This hamlet was historically famous for the production of Castelmagno, an aged, semi-hard blue cheese made from the milk of Alpine cows.
Together, the group purchased 10 homes surrounded by pasture land, built barns and a dairy, and began producing Castelmagno cheese under their own label, Des Martin. For Chiara, this project was not an economic venture, but rather a way to give hope to Piedmont isolated mountain communities and celebrate their important work. Des Martin also has an agriturismo where you can experience the magic of the Western Alps.
A visit to the Boschis-E. Pira & Figli winery almost always includes a tasting of this rare and prestigious DOP cheese, and Chiara’s structured wines pair splendidly with the Castelmagno: Barolo (from different crus: Cannubi, Mosconi, and Via Nuova), Dolcetto d’Alba, Barbera d’Alba, and Langhe Nebbiolo. Go and taste the harmony for yourself!
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