The Annunziata Abbey, home to the Renato Ratti Museum of Alba wines

It was around the year One Thousand that right on top of the ruins of an ancient castle, the Abbey of Saint Martino of Marcenasco was erected.

The building represents a constant element in the landscape of our area over the span of countless generations: a piece of history, a piece of La Morra. The Priorate belonged to the Benedictine Friars, who also owned the vineyards outside the monastery walls. The vine-covered lands were denominated Marcenasco and used (in the greatest measure) for the production of the wine Nebiolium.

In 1479, right next to the Abbey there arose a new convent brought about by the Order of the Servants of Mary, who dedicated the name of the Abbey to the most Holy Annunciation. The complex takes on a central role in the zone’s religious and social life; and its productive capacity also grows, witnessing the rise of new cellars and neighboring rural constructions.

The Church dedicated to the Most Holy Annunciation was erected in 1684 on the ruins of the ancient Romanesque parish. The design was the work of the master architect Michelangelo Garove, who gave shape to a Baroque style edifice.

It was year of Our Lord 1804 when the reigning Pope Pius VII let slip this exclamation during a short stay at the religious complex on his return from a journey to France.

““Ah! Morra! A fine sky and good wine”

Pope Pius VII

Only in 1867, do we witness the first important change of ownership: by virtue of the so-called Siccardi Law, the Abbey becomes the property of the Municipality of La Morra.

Renato Ratti rents the Abbey in 1965. At the onset, the spaces are destined to the production of Barolo, but then, in 1971 the rooms host the exhibitions of the Renato Ratti Museum of Barolo and Alba wines.

The Abbey of Annunziata

The Abbey of Annunziata (The Abbey of the Holy Annunciation), in ancient times dedicated to Saint Martino of Marcenasco, headquarters of the Renato Ratti Museum of Barolo and the Wines of Alba, has been contemplating the surrounding hills for more than a thousand years.

It was around the year One Thousand that right on top of the ruins of an ancient castle, the Abbey of Saint Martino of Marcenasco was erected.