The beauty of a vineyard is simply thrilling!

Nebbiolo. The name itself whispers of fog — nebbia in Italian — and that’s no coincidence. In the rolling hills of Piedmont, the autumn mists curl around the vines as if the grapes were secrets waiting to be told. This noble varietal, with its thin skin and thick history, is the heart and soul of some of Italy’s most prized wines — Barolo, Barbaresco, and Gattinara among them.

What makes Nebbiolo remarkable is its paradox. Pale in color yet dark in spirit, it carries the aroma of roses and tar — beauty and grit in the same breath. It’s a wine that doesn’t give away its secrets easily. Young Nebbiolo can be fiercely tannic, astringent even, demanding patience from the drinker. But with age, time smooths its sharp edges, revealing layers of dried cherries, violets, truffles, and that earthy whisper of the Italian countryside after rain.

In the glass, Nebbiolo is not a casual acquaintance. It’s a conversation. A slow one. Each sip carries centuries of craft, from monks in the Middle Ages to modern vintners who coax its temperamental nature into balance.

In a way, Nebbiolo mirrors life in Boulder — unpredictable, elevated, demanding of respect. You can’t rush the grape, and you can’t rush the mountain. Both require presence and patience, and when you give them that, they reward you with something unforgettable.

Grapes ready for the fall crush

So next time you raise a glass, imagine the fog lifting over the vineyards of Barolo. Somewhere, a vintner smiles, and the hills of Piedmont echo the ruby laughter of Nebbiolo.

Nebbiolo-based wines can be found at Public Wine in Lafayette!

Nebbiolo’s story also reminds us that greatness rarely comes easy. The grape is notoriously finicky — it demands specific soil, the right altitude, and that perfect dance between sunlight and fog. Many have tried to grow it outside its Piedmont homeland, from California to Australia, yet few succeed in capturing its soul. That stubborn insistence on place, that refusal to compromise, is what gives Nebbiolo its magic. It’s a grape that knows who it is and where it belongs — a lesson worth sipping slowly and remembering often.

Be sure to ask about “locals” discount. 

Shared Knowledge Is Power!

Lenny “Lensworth” Frieling

Lenny Frieling Pen Of Justice

• Multi-published and widely syndicated blogger and author.
• Most recently published by Amazon, his first book, "Lensworth"a book of his prize-winning photos.
• University lectures at University. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels. Numerous lectures for the NORML Legal Committee
• Former Judge
• Media work, including starring in episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
• Life Member, NORML Legal Committee, Distinguished Counsel Circle.
• Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
• First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
• Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
• Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
• Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
• Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML, and prior chair during legalization, as well as pre and post legalization
• Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
• Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
• Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
• http://www.Lfrieling.com