GIACOMO CONTERNO

The King of the Hill

Arguably, one of the greatest estates in the world, Giacomo Conterno, just outside Monforte d’Alba, needs little introduction. The estate began bottling its own wines in the early 1900s, but the Conternos’ viticultural roots date back to the 1700s.

Giovanni was the eldest son of the winery founder, Giacomo Conterno, and initially worked alongside his brother, Aldo Conterno. In 1969, the two sibling winemakers parted ways to create their own Barolo styles, Giovanni more traditional and Aldo more modern.

In 1974, Giovanni Conterno, the late father of Roberto Conterno, made a bold and visionary investment in the fourteen-hectare monopole of Cascina Francia. This courageous move, made in the southern tip of Serralunga d’Alba, set the stage for the estate’s future success.

Roberto Conterno took full control of the estate in 2003 when his father, Giovanni Conterno, passed away.

In 2008, inspired by the possibilities of an entirely different terroir, Roberto Conterno stamped his imprint on the family history, acquiring three hectares of Cerretta, one hectare of Barbera, and two hectares of Nebbiolo.

In 2015, he added the stunning, highly prized nine-hectare vineyard Arione, next to Cascina Francia, to the family holdings. This significant expansion under Roberto Conterno’s leadership advances the estate for the second time and promises exciting new developments.

Roberto Conterno continues to practice the traditional winemaking techniques of the area, producing long-lived, earthy wines. The focus has been strictly on Nebbiolo and Barbera. Roberto also stresses the importance of organic viticulture, especially in the early years of vine growth. The estate is renowned for its great Barolos, Cascina Francia and, of course, the Monfortino Riserva. The latter is produced only in the best vintages.