Giannikos Winery - Domenico Clerico

Domenico took over his father's vineyards in 1976 in Monforte d'Alba, on the south side of the Barolo area. Unlike his father, who was a grape grower, he made and bottled the wine himself from the start. Gradually he was able to increase the vineyard area from 5 to about 25 hectares with beautifully situated plots, including in the famous cru Ginestra. Although Domenico is considered one of the 'modernisti' because he works with rotofermenters and barriques, he has always put work in the vineyard first.

He is no longer a modernist in the basement either. Domenico thinks that he had to adapt to the changed climatic conditions during winemaking: working the same as around 2000 would, in his view, result in too high an alcohol content and an unwieldy wine. He is constantly looking for the right balance in his wines. For example, he now uses a little less barriques and more blunt and less new wood. Also, the maceration times in the rotofermenters have increased from 5 days to more than 20, with the rotary vanes barely operating. No insecticides, pesticides or fertilizers are used in the vineyards. He likes to release single vineyard wines, because in his view they best reflect the terroir. His wines are usually rich, aromatic and even relatively easy to approach when young. All in all a producer that is internationally acclaimed because he goes to great lengths to make quality wines that are in balance and because he constantly revises his methods in search of perfection. After Domenico's death, his wife Giuliana continued to manage the vineyards and the cellar.

Domenico Clerico's wines are modern and accessible at a young age compared to other Piedmont wines. They are highly appreciated internationally!