Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Gresy

Le Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Grésy, owned by the di Grésy family since 1797, began producing their own wines in 1973 following a decision by Alberto di Grésy.

The vineyards are situated in the Langhe and Monferrato areas, which are recognized as the home of Piedmont's greatest wines.

The four estates are: Martinenga in the heart of Barbaresco, Monte Aribaldo in Treiso, Cuneo province, La Serra and Monte Colombo in Cassine, Alessandria province.

Grapes from all the estate vineyards are brought to the central winery at Martinenga to be made into high quality wines with the greatest respect for tradition and nature, where the aim is to faithfully transfer as much as possible of the identity of the terroir and the varietal into the bottle.

Our company is able to produce wines to accompany the entire meal, each one the expression of the character and personality of its terrain of origin. Meticulous work in the vineyard and the cellar means our red and white wines can also be enjoyed several years after bottling.

HISTORY

There is evidence that the natural amphitheatre where Martinenga stands today was already known in ancient Roman times as Villa Martis, a place where the Liguri Stazielli met to worship Mars, the God of War.

Martinenga was also the birthplace of the Roman Emperor, Publio Elvio Pertinace (Publius Helvius Pertinax Alba, 1 August 126 - Rome, 28 March 193).

In 1797 Martinenga became the property of the noble Marchesi di Grésy family, who added it to Monte Aribaldo in Treiso, a hilltop property overlooking the valley, previously acquired in 1635 and situated a few kilometres from Martinenga, where today some of the finest Barbaresco Nebbiolo crus (Martinenga, Asili, Rabajà) are to be found. The family later increased the size of the Estates with the properties in Cassine (AL), which grandmother Giulia Pellizzari brought as her dowry.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Carlo di Grésy built Villa Giulia at Monte Aribaldo. The integrity of the original exterior and interior layout of this elegant Art Nouveau hunting lodge can still be admired today.

It was between these walls and these rows of vines that Alberto di Grésy spent his childhood and adolescence, learning to love a land rich in tradition, where no effort is spared when it comes to the hard work of the countryside, the "good and not so good" seasons. This land has given him deep ties of friendship and such a great passion for vines and wine that in 1973 he began to produce Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Grésy's own wines, starting with the grapes that until then had been sold to others and used as a benchmark to set the market price in Alba. This radical decision would finally do justice to the precious terroir on which Martinenga is located, the only Barbaresco Cru Monopole, since only the Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Grésy can mention "Martinenga" on their labels (as far back as 1967 it was already being included as an exclusive mention on labels selected by the local producers' cooperative).

Nowadays, in a place so rich is history, where the grape has always been king, bottles of wine are produced that take pride of place on the world's best tables.

The Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Grésy include four estates situated in the Langhe and Monferrato areas, which are recognized as the home of Piedmont's greatest wines.

Martinenga in the Langhe, in Barbaresco near Alba, an area of ancient traditions, produces mainly Nebbiolo grapes for Barbaresco DOCG, but also Barbera and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. More recent plantings have been Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

A short distance away, in Treiso d'Alba, is Monte Aribaldo, a vineyard planted with Dolcetto d'Alba, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes.

La Serra at Cassine in the Monferrato area, is planted with Moscato d'Asti DOCG, Barbera d'Asti and Merlot (Monferrato Red), while Monte Colombo is an estate devoted to Merlot and Barbera d'Asti.

MARTINENGA

Total area: 23.98.91 hectares

Today, Martinenga's 11,93 hectares planted with the noble Nebbiolo for Barbaresco DOCG varietal is considered to be the greatest single vineyard for Barbaresco in the entire area.

The ideal southern exposure, the particular composition of the soil (blue marl) and the diligent work of Martinenga's grape growers produce wines of extraordinary class, breeding and finesse.

The exceptionally favourable microclimate means that even in difficult years, Martinenga is able to produce high quality grapes as a result of strict selection. This is the most important guarantee that Martinenga can offer the consumer.

The company's central winery is located at Martinenga. Grapes from the other estates are brought to the recently expanded winery, which is equipped with state of the art plant for the production of high quality wines made with great respect for tradition and nature.

Marchesi di Grésy has selected three different Barbaresco DOCG from the Martinenga Cru:

• Martinenga Barbaresco
• Gaiun Barbaresco
• Camp Gros Barbaresco

MONTE ARIBALDO

Total area: 10.06.09 hectares

The estate lies just two kilometers from Martinenga on the hill of the same name in Treiso d'Alba. In 1900, Carlo di Grésy built Villa Giulia, an Art Nouveau-style hunting lodge on this hilltop overlooking the entire valley. The integrity of the original exterior and interior layout of the lodge can still be admired today. From here there is a breathtaking view of the whole of Piedmont, framed by the majestic Alps.

The vineyards encircle the Villa and extend along the hill over 10 hectares of mixed terrain of calcareous and volcanic soil at an average elevation of between 360 and 370 metres.

The even altitude and its prominent position allow the grapes to ripen consistently and give harmonious body to the Dolcetto d'Alba with a westerly to easterly exposure, structure and longevity to the Sauvignon Blanc with a northerly to easterly exposure, and brilliant colour and delicate scents to the Chardonnay planted on the western slope.

LA SERRA

Total area: 11.01.06 hectares

This property is located in Monferrato in Cassine, Alessandria province. The vineyards cover a total area of 11 hectares with a perfect southern exposure at an altitude that varies between 230 and 240 metres.

The vineyards cover the hill from the ridge to the road that runs along the valley between Ricaldone and Alice bel Colle.

Its position near the Bormida river, the consistency of the soil which is a fertile mixture of clay and limestone rich in mineral salts, as well as the presence of the "marin", the wind that blows up from Liguria, enables this area to produce grapes full of natural aromas that come through in the wines made from both the red and white fruit of these vines: Moscato d'Asti, Merlot and Barbera d'Asti.

MONTE COLOMBO

Total area: 2.58.30 hectares

This vineyard is situated on the hilltop close to La Serra at an altitude of 280 metres and has a prevalently southern exposure.

A combination of soil and climate conditions provide an ideal environment for the cultivation of red grapes destined for the production of big wines full of character. The clayey soil makes for an extremely fertile area, where densely-planted rows of Barbera d'Asti cover more than a hectare with a west – east exposure.

The other plots of land making up the remaining hectare are suited to the requirements of the Merlot, a very sensitive grape that needs an environment with good summer moisture, ensured in this case by the natural climate of Monferrato.

It is our desire to produce wines that speak of their place of origin, of the unique characteristics of an area and its traditions, but which despite their pedigree are pleasant, drinkable and easy to pair.

Over the years, Alberto di Grésy and his Staff have endeavoured to respect the micro-climates and characteristics of the estates, working with passion and humility to respect the identity of the land and select the right vineyard for each of the various cultivars to obtain wines that are different but all with great personality.

We try to understand which grape will give of its best from this exchange between the soil, the vine and the influence of the weather to give us wines that are created in the vineyard itself, with all the potential to become great.

So do not be surprised if every variety has its own name; a minimum difference in exposure is enough for us to decide to create a label.

We use traditional vinification methods in the winery, with lengthy maceration to extract all the noble characteristics, especially the tannin which gives our Barbarescos a unique, recognizable elegance. With sensitivity and love, Alberto di Grésy has chosen three sub-zones at Martinenga to produce three different Barbarescos, each with its own recognizable and recognized identity: Martinenga Barbaresco DOCG, Camp Gros Martinenga Barbaresco DOCG (since 1978) and Gaiun Martinenga Barbaresco DOCG (since 1982). Three different ways to interpret Barbaresco, which complete our offer of no less than 16 different wines, each with its own story, each a unique piece making up the soul of the Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Grésy. Wines with a precise identity, great class, elegance and the ability to conquer palates all over the world.