Today, it is regarded as one of Italy’s most prestigious estates. The story begins in the early 20th century, when Giacomo Conterno founded the cellar in Monforte d’Alba. Each successive generation added its own contribution, gradually shaping the estate’s identity. Giacomo himself inherited a long winemaking tradition before bottling his own wine, which he initially sold in bulk, as was customary at the time in what is now an illustrious appellation. Later, his son Giovanni elevated the estate’s reputation by deciding to bottle wines made from grapes purchased from neighbouring growers. Around this time, Giovanni and his brother Aldo parted ways, Giovanni choosing to uphold a firmly traditional approach.
Today, and since the late 1980s, Roberto Conterno is at the helm of this prestigious estate. Under his stewardship, the Nebbiolo and Barbera vines located in some of the region’s finest vineyards – Francia, Cerreta, Monfortino – are nurtured with great care following organic principles. In the winery, the approach remains resolutely traditional: the grapes are crushed before fermenting for 20 to 30 days with native yeasts, with regular pump-overs. The wines are aged in old foudres (large wooden tuns) that impart character without excessive oak influence.
The collection exclusively comprises Barolo and Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont wines with exceptional ageing potential.

This Barolo Francia from Azienda Giacomo Conterno comes from the eponymous vineyard and is the most southern cru of Serralunga d’Alba. The Nebbiolo grown here benefits from the chalk-rich terroir that offers a certain salinity to its resulting wine. In the winery the domain carries out vinifications parcel by parcel, opting for longer macerations of three to four weeks. This allows for an optimal extraction of texture, colour, and flavour. The fermentation – brought about by indigenous yeasts – happens in cone-shaped, Austrian vats. The wine is then matured at length in oak casks of varied age. This wine is clearly made to be aged and is marked by a beautiful, garnet hue with flecks of orange. Its aromatic bouquet expresses complex notes of dried flowers, herbs, cherry and leather. Whilst delicate, the palate is nonetheless structured by good tannins and lifted by a frank acidity. We recommend opening this wine after fifteen years in the cellar and serving it with a characterful dish.