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
Roland und Karin Lenz
In 1994, while Roland Lenz was still studying oenology, he and his wife Karin were able to acquire eight hectares of vines on the Iselisberg. It was a unique opportunity that they seized, even though they were toying with the idea of setting up their own business abroad, far from Switzerland. They actually did so later, but that's another story…
Karthäuserhof
The Karthäuserhof - The cradle of world-famous Rieslings, ever since 1335.
The Karthäuserhof is a magical spot. Not just because of its idyllic location but also because it is the eighth oldest winegrowing estate in the world and for centuries the cradle of world-famous Rieslings. It was founded in 1335 by Carthusian monks who received the estate as a gift from Prince-Elector Balduin of Luxembourg and operated it as a winery until secularisation. Since 1811 the Karthäuserhof has been owned by the same family, now in the seventh generation.
Sacchetto
For over a hundred years, the Sacchetto family has devoted itself to winemaking with passion. The winery is led by the siblings Beatrice and Paolo, together with the people who work alongside them and help shape its identity. They all share one vision: to create wines that express their origin – and tell a story.