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The epitome of traditional Barolo
Although the exact roots are debated, the Conterno family's involvement in winemaking in Monforte d'Alba dates back to the early 20th century. Giacomo Conterno officially founded the winery in the 1920s after his return from World War I. He was the first in the family to bottle wine under the family name, laying the foundation for a legendary winery.
The house’s flagship wine, Barolo Riserva Monfortino, is considered one of Italy’s greatest and most sought-after wines. First created in 1924, Monfortino epitomizes Conterno’s ultra-traditional style. The wine is characterized by long maceration periods and several years of aging in large Slavonian oak barrels (botti), typically for six to seven years before bottling. This uncompromising approach allows the Nebbiolo grape to unfold its full potential, resulting in wines with enormous structure, complexity and aging potential.
In addition to Monfortino, Giacomo Conterno also produces a “regular” Barolo, also made in the traditional style with four years of aging in large barrels. Until the 2014 vintage, both Monfortino and the regular Barolo were made exclusively from grapes from the family’s 14-hectare Cascina Francia vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba, which was acquired in 1974. The grapes for Monfortino are carefully selected from the best plots in this vineyard. Since 2015, the winery has also produced a Barolo Arione from a nine-hectare vineyard south of Serralunga, which was acquired that year. In 2008, the Cerretta vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba was also purchased – a three-hectare cru area planted with both Nebbiolo and Barbera.
Giacomo Conterno's wine philosophy is deeply rooted in tradition, with minimal intervention and a strong focus on letting the terroir shine through. They prefer long fermentations and aging in large, neutral oak barrels, avoiding the use of small barriques that can impart too much barrel character. This patient approach results in wines that are powerful and structured, yet exhibit remarkable finesse and elegance.
The Conterno family vineyards are primarily located in the prestigious Barolo area around Serralunga d'Alba, known for wines with great structure and aging potential. The Cascina Francia vineyard in particular, which has been a monopole (fully owned by the house) since 1974, is significant and consistently delivers excellent Nebbiolo grapes. The addition of Cerretta and Arione has further strengthened the house's presence in the top areas of Barolo. In 2018, Roberto Conterno, the third generation in the family, also purchased the historic Nervi winery in Gattinara, expanding the family's wine production outside of Barolo.
Giacomo Conterno's wines consistently rank among the world's best, with Barolo Riserva Monfortino frequently receiving perfect or near-perfect ratings from leading wine critics. Their other Barolo wines, including Cascina Francia, Cerretta and Arione, also receive high praise for their quality, complexity and ability to express their terroir. These accolades underscore the house's unwavering commitment to producing exceptional wines in a traditional style.
A defining feature of Giacomo Conterno is its unwavering adherence to traditional Barolo methods, handed down through generations. The house’s dedication to long aging in large oak barrels and minimal intervention in the cellar results in wines that are powerful, structured and capable of aging for decades – and that represent the purest version of the Nebbiolo grape and the unique terroir of Serralunga d’Alba. Roberto Conterno, who now heads the winery, continues the family legacy and ensures that Giacomo Conterno remains a benchmark for traditional Barolo for generations to come.
