Paolo Conterno / Fam. Conterno
The history of the Paolo Conterno winery dates back to 1886. With the founding of Casa della Ginestra in Monforte d'Alba, Paolo Conterno laid the foundation for a family tradition that is now continued in the fourth generation by Giorgio Conterno. The focus has always been on producing wines that authentically reflect their origin, character and vintage.
Deeply rooted in the hills of the Langhe, the estate is located in the historic Ginestra cru – the place where the family comes from and which remains at the heart of the estate to this day. The vineyards extend over an altitude of 300 to 350 metres, with a predominantly south to south-east exposure. Calcareous clay soils, interspersed with chalk and mineral deposits, characterise the terroir here. Combined with a special microclimate – warm days, cool nights and constant ventilation – this creates ideal conditions for expressive, structured wines.
The family cultivates the classic grape varieties Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto. The steep slopes require a great deal of manual labour and experience – both of which have been developed over generations. Modern technology now supports the work in the vineyard and in the cellar, but every step is still characterised by personal care.
Maturation takes place traditionally in 35-hectolitre French oak barrels. The aim is not fashionable opulence, but balance, depth and longevity – in short, the constant pursuit of the idea of the “perfect Barolo”, which has been passed down through the family.
In addition to the renowned Barolo – above all Barolo Ginestra – other DOC and DOCG wines are also produced. Around 50,000 bottles per year bear the signature of a winery that harmoniously combines family history, terroir and forward thinking.
Producer
Sette Cieli
It isn’t easy to ascend to seventh heaven. And indeed, the road to the wine estate Sette Cieli is fraught with some difficulties. You might need to take a few detours (seventh heaven isn’t on Google Maps’ radar), but the Ratti family’s wine paradise is more than worth the effort.
Bodega Palacios Remondo
He was born 'at home', right above his father's bodega – Álvaro Palacios, Spains star vintner. The scent of wine and barrels must have been lying in the air and thus dictated his further life. He studied oenology in Bordeaux and gathered professional experience at the Château Pétrus, and in London, Dublin, and California. Today, he owns vines in the Priorat county, in Bierzo, and at home in the Rioja, and proves his extraordinary talent with premium wines year after year.
Alvaro Palacios, S.L.
Álvaro Palacios was only 25 years old when he moved to the lonely Priorat in 1989. He left his parents’ vineyard in Rioja (Palacios Remondo) behind, which had grown too small for him. He joined forces with a group of friends to reawaken the sleeping beauty of the Priorat, which the prior inhabitants had mostly abandoned in search of a better and easier life in the cities.