Sarmassa is exposed to the south-east, on the side of a hill with a good slope. Although the surrounding area dates back to the Tortonian geologic age, the soil here has typical Serravallian characteristics, also because the slope led to abundant surface runoff: it is a predominantly silt-clay soil, very firm, with a significant percentage of stones. The abundance of stones, associated with clay, limits the vegetative growth of the nebbiolo grape variety and makes the vines quickly feel the effects of variations in climate, thus favouring the perfect ripening of the grapes..