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"This is one of the most impressive wine estates in all of Italy—perhaps in the world. From its great vineyards in Barolo, Poderi Aldo Conterno makes some of the most exquisite red wines on the planet." James Suckling
History
In the 19th century, the forefathers of Aldo Conterno emigrated to Argentina, but on account of various family vicissitudes they returned to Italy after a few years. It was then that Giovanni Conterno brought his family back to the small winemaking farm of his father Giuseppe in Monforte d'Alba and started helping him in the production of local wine. With his return to the business, Conterno increased the production of wine, to be sold in casks not only in Italy but also as far as America, thanks to a relative who had stayed out in Argentina. In response to market demand, the Conternos then felt the need to create a superior wine, to be produced exclusively from the best vintages, with a long vinification period and capable of lasting over time. In the 1920s the first reserve was bottled.
At the end of the '30s Giovanni handed over the reins of the business to his son, Giacomo, who continued his father's tradition with commitment and foresight, visiting his clients in person and taking advantage of the prestige which his wine was gathering to establish his own label in many regions of Italy. During these years, his sons Giovanni and Aldo began to assist and follow their father in running the business. In the mid-'50s Aldo decided to set out for America, with the ambition of creating a vine-growing and winemaking business with the help of an uncle who lived in California. This period in the United States turned out to be very constructive and unforgettable for Aldo but for a variety of reasons he had to abandon the country and come back home to his family business in Italy. Giacomo handed over the activity to his sons in 1961: it was a thriving and prestigious business, recognised over most of the country.
However, the five-year experience in the United States had kindled within Aldo a desire to establish a business of his own. It was for this reason that he decided, after working for a considerable time alongside his brother, to carry out the dream which had been interrupted in America. He bought the "Favot" farm and founded the estate "Poderi Aldo Conterno" in 1969.
Today the company is run by three sons of Aldo : Franco, Stefano and Giacomo who followed in the footsteps of their father carry on the family tradition.
Vineyards
Our cru vineyards (Romirasco, Cicala and Colonnello) located in Bussia of Monforte d’Alba, portray the real expression of the terroir. Their fabulous South South-West location enhances the nobility of the clayey-calcareous soil, rich with calcium carbonate and iron, typical of our hills. Our family has always had a relationship of perfect symbiosis with these cru, trying to enhance all their most peculiar characteristics through a wise and hard work in the vineyard. With the passing of the years we have been able to create a real microcosm which sinks its essence in the subtle balance offered by nature.
The wine of these cru gives itself with firm determination by playing on the most classical elements of the vine and its spicy notes give a crystal idea of the uniqueness of this soil. The interpretation of a territory goes along with the perfect knowledge of its components; that circumstance can become true only after a long and careful study of the components. All this has always been within our intentions, enabling us to find out the fundamental connections which, thanks to the hard work in the vineyard, are the basis of the unmistakable identity of our wines.
Winemaking
Our family represents the heart of all our activities. Five generations of people who devoted their lives to wine have instilled in our souls a deep respect for the identity of our territory and a firm characterization of our products. What we want to offer is simply the interpretation of a ground through our deep rooted beliefs. Our wines never look for inconditional approval and our personality is not prone to easy compromise.
Inside information
Situated in Monforte d'Alba in the prized Bussia Soprano vineyard in the heart of the Barolo region of Serralunga, the Conterno family has been producing and aging the great Piemontese wines for more than five generations. The late Aldo left his brother at his father's cellar (the legendary Giacomo Conterno estate) in 1969 to pursue his own winemaking interests and to create the wines of Poderi Aldo Conterno in the "Favot" cellar. While Giacomo produces the more traditional style of the two Conterno brothers' estates, Poderi Aldo Conterno's wines aren't considered modern. Over the past decade, the wines of Aldo Conterno have grown more traditional in style, and they have captivated the passion of Italian wine lovers as they have. Known as the "King of Barolo" in Italy, Aldo Conterno passed away in May 2012, and the wine world lost not only a pioneer and a visionary but also a man of great dignity and grace. Fortunately, Aldo trained his three sons in his footsteps so that his eponymous estate will not merely perpetuate but flourish, as befits Aldo's legacy.