Giacomo Conterno

Giacomo Conterno is an iconic Italian wine producer based in the Barolo wine region of Piedmont, Italy. The winery is known for its traditional winemaking practices and dedication to producing high-quality Barolo's.

History of Giacomo Conterno

The winery was founded in 1908 by Giacomo Conterno in the town of Monforte d'Alba, located in the heart of the Barolo wine region in Piedmont, Italy. In its early years, the winery focused on making wines from Nebbiolo, the main grape variety used in the production of Barolo. After the death of Giacomo Conterno in 1930, his son Giovanni Conterno took over the estate. Giovanni continued the family tradition of producing high quality Barolo's. An important milestone for the winery was the acquisition of the Cascina Francia vineyard in the 1970s. Located in the municipality of Serralunga d'Alba, this vineyard became an important source for some of Giacomo Conterno's most prestigious wines. In the 1980s, a divorce occurred within the Conterno family, leading to the creation of two separate wineries, Giacomo Conterno and Aldo Conterno. Aldo, Giovanni's brother, subsequently founded his own successful winery.
Giacomo Conterno, under the leadership of Giovanni's son Roberto Conterno, continued the family's focus on traditional winemaking methods.

Production by Giacomo Conterno

Giacomo Conterno is often associated with the traditional style of Barolo production. Traditional Barolo is characterized by longer maceration periods and aging in large Slavonian oak barrels. These practices contribute to wines with complex flavors, firm tannins and excellent aging potential. It also has to do with the specific vineyards of the winery. The winery is located in the municipality of Monforte d'Alba, one of the most important areas within Barolo. Giacomo Conterno's specific vineyards include some of the best crus (individual vineyards) in the region, including the famous Cascina Francia vineyard. The estate's dedication to specific vineyards emphasizes the importance of terroir in the production of their wines. The Cascina Francia vineyard is also particularly important to Giacomo Conterno. The wines produced from this vineyard are highly sought after for their depth, structure and aging potential. Cascina Francia has been a major source for some of the estate's most prestigious Barolo wines.

Philosophy of Giacomo Conterno

Giacomo Conterno is known for his minimalist and traditional winemaking approach. The winery typically uses long maceration periods, maturation in large Slavonian oak barrels for an extended period and minimal intervention to allow the wines to express the characteristics of the terroir. Giacomo Conterno's wines are highly regarded among collectors and enthusiasts for their complexity and ability to showcase the unique characteristics of the region. The estate has played a major role in shaping Barolo's reputation as one of Italy's finest wine regions.