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
Maison Stéphan
Jean-Michel Stéphan has vinified more than 30 vintages of Côte-Rôtie and is one of the true masters of natural winemaking (vins naturels) in the northern Rhône region. His wines have a vibrant purity that makes them unmistakable, characterised by a balance of energy and transcendence that stems from his vision of making impeccable wines without any additives.
Domaine de Cabasse
This winery is situated amidst vines between the towns of Séguret and Sablet, a half-hour drive from Orange, or Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The origins of the Domaine de Cabasse date back to when the Papal seat was in Avignon. Over time, the original Italian name Casa Bassa (the house below the village) became Cabasse.
Massena / Jaysen Collins
Dan Standish and Jaysen Collins were college friends, and in the late 1990s they decided to put their talents together to produce wine. Recently, Jaysen Collins has taken charge of the "Massena" project on his own.The grapes are purchased from growers in Greenock, Kalimna and Koonunga Hill in the northwest Barossa Valley.