Giacomo Conterno

Giacomo Conterno is a benchmark traditionalist estate based in Monforte d’Alba, though its most famous vineyard holdings are located in the limestone-rich soils of Serralunga d’Alba. The estate is defined by its 'monopole' mastery, most notably the 16-hectare Francia vineyard (formerly Cascina Francia), which was the sole source for all Conterno wines from 1978 until the acquisition of the Cerretta (2008) and Arione (2015) crus.

The winemaking philosophy is strictly 'old-school': long macerations of up to 30 days and extended aging in massive, neutral Slavonian oak casks (botti). This patient approach yields wines of immense structure, aromatic precision, and the capacity to evolve for decades in the cellar.

Giacomo Conterno is prized by collectors not just for its rarity, but for its role as a historical anchor in the ever-changing landscape of Italian wine.

• The Legend of Monfortino — The flagship Barolo Riserva is produced only in exceptional years and aged for seven years before release, consistently setting the global standard for power and complexity.
• Serralunga Terroir — By focusing on the rugged, mineral-heavy soils of Serralunga d’Alba, Conterno produces Barolo with a distinctively masculine structure and intense longevity.
• The World’s Finest Barbera — Roberto Conterno treats Barbera with the same reverence as Barolo; his 'Vigna Francia' Barbera d'Alba is considered the most serious and age-worthy expression of the variety in existence.
• Technological Perfectionism — Despite his traditional style, Roberto is a technical pioneer, having co-developed custom de-stemmers and advanced cork-scanning technology to ensure every bottle is flawless.
• Expansion into Gattinara — With the 2018 acquisition of the historic Nervi estate, the Conterno 'Midas touch' has revitalized Northern Piedmont, bringing new global attention to the volcanic-soil wines of Gattinara.

• Is Giacomo Conterno the same as Aldo Conterno?

  No. In 1969, brothers Giovanni and Aldo Conterno split the estate. Giovanni (Roberto's father) maintained the traditionalist style at Giacomo Conterno, while Aldo founded Poderi Aldo Conterno to pursue a more modern approach.

• What is the difference between Barolo Francia and Monfortino?

  Both come from the Francia vineyard. Monfortino is a selection of the best grapes from the best vintages, fermented without temperature control and aged for seven years, whereas Barolo Francia is the estate's 'regular' Barolo, aged for four years.

• Does the estate produce any white wine?

  The Giacomo Conterno estate in Barolo focuses on red varieties (Nebbiolo and Barbera). However, Roberto Conterno produces a highly regarded Nebbiolo Rosato and red Gattinara through the Nervi-Conterno estate.

• What are the key vineyards owned by the estate?

  The three primary Barolo crus are Francia (monopole), Arione (adjacent to Francia), and Cerretta. All are located in the commune of Serralunga d'Alba.

• How long can Conterno wines age?

  Top vintages of Monfortino and Francia Barolo can easily evolve for 40 to 50+ years, while their Barbera d'Alba can comfortably age for 15 to 20 years.