Prunotto

In 1904, in the council chambers of the community of Serralunga, and in the presence of notary Giacomo Oddero and the young witness Alfred Prunotto, the co-operative winery known as "Ai Vini delle Langhe" ("Of the wines of Langhe") was founded. Amongst those who participated in the drawing up of the constitutional acts, there were individuals who left their mark on the story of Alba and the nearby communities of Langa and many small producers of the surrounding area.

The first harvest took place in 1905. This was followed by several difficult years which suffered from the instability in the economy, aggravated by the first world war. In 1922, when it was time to renew the co-operative winery, many members decided not to contribute their grapes anymore. Thus, although it was an exceptional year, the vintage was not very abundant.
The winery started having serious economic problems and was liquidated.

During this crisis, the young Alfredo Prunotto met and then married Luigina, with whom he decided to take over the co-operative winery "Ai Vini delle Langhe", bestowing on it his name. Thanks to the passionate persistence of the newlyweds, the winery became famous very quickly and began to export wines throughout the world: first to South America and then to the United States, whose markets opened up during those years. Prunotto is one of the few companies that believed in the economic prospects of the new world.

In 1956, Alfredo Prunotto decided to retire from the business, giving the company over to his friend and wine expert Beppe Colla, aided by Carlo Filiberti and a bit later by his brother Tino Colla. In 1961, the Prunotto Cellars began to identify specific production zones noted for growing top-quality grapes appropriate for the separate vinification of individual crus, such as the Barolo Bussia and Barbera d'Alba Pian Romualdo. In 1972, Ugo della Piana, an architect of langarol origins designed the new wine cellar, which was to be built near Alba, where the company's head offices are today.

In 1989, the Marchesi Antinori family began its collaboration with the Prunotto Company, at first handling distribution and later, in 1994, when the Colla brothers retired, getting directly involved in the production process, maintaining the excellent level of quality which Alfredo Prunotto had always insisted upon.

One of the most important objectives set by the Antinori family together with the Colla brothers, is to produce wines from personally-owned vineyards and therefore to maintain more control over the final product right from birth.

This project was realized in 1990, when Albiera Antinori, Marchese Piero Antinori's oldest daughter, further delineated the character of the winery, paying special attention to the acquisition of vineyards, which include: The Costamiole Vineyard in Agliano, for the production of Barbera d'Asti; the vineyard in the Bussia cru, one of the most well-known in the in the Barolo zone; and land in Calliano, for the study and analysis of the new varietals, i.e. Albarossa and Syrah. In 1996, a vineyard of 5 hectares in size, called "Bric Turot", was acquired in the Barbaresco region; and a 5-hectare vineyard was purchased in the Treiso zone for the production of Moscato.

The vineyards of Prunotto extend across an area of about 50 hectares, in the region of Langhe and Monferrato, segmented into small plots of land consisting of individual crus from which great red wines are produced. In honor of piemontese tradition, wines derived from white grapes such as Moscato d'Asti and Arneis are also produced here, along with two grappas made of Barolo Bussia and Barbera d'Asti Costamiole.

Prunotto also produces a series of wines from other native varietals which represent and tell the history of these lands. These varietals are Dolcetto d'Alba, Barbera d'Alba, and Nebbiolo, and are classic expressions of the characteristic Piemontese grapes.

The winery conducts studies, research, and experiments in the vineyards, without adopting a pre-set formula. Instead, the methods and time needed for the care of the vineyards and the production of each individual wine are evaluated each year, keeping in mind the special characteristics of each one and helping them live up to their maximum potential. In the last ten years Prunotto has invested in the qualitative development of all the vineyards. New ones are designed after careful analysis of the terrain, aimed at understanding how to use rootstock and clones which are best adapted for each individual plot of land.

The privately-owned vineyards are separated into: Bussia, Bric Turot, Costamiole, and the vineyards which produce Mompertone and Bricco Colma.

Bussia

The Bussia vineyard is one of the most renowned of the Barolo zone, extending across 7.35 hectares and is laid out like an amphitheatre, with a southeast/southwest exposure. A small cru, Bussia Vigna Colonnello, is located in the interior of the vineyard. A red Barolo of grand character originates from this vineyard. This wine expresses all of the peculiarities of this territory, offering intense and persistent aromas.

Bric Turot

The Bric Turot vineyard is located in the Barbaresco zone, between Roncaglie and Tre Stelle; it extends over 5.30 hectares and has southeast/southwest exposure, at altitudes varying between 180 and 300 meters above sea level. A wine of great structure, with complex and enchanting aromas and elegance, originates from this vineyard.

Costamiole and Fiulot

In the Agliano zone, about 19 km from Asti, between the Nizza and Tiglione valleys, are located about 27 hectares of vineyards which grow the Barbera d'Asti varietal, from which "Costamiole" and "Fiulot" are produced. The climate here is warmer than in Asti and the soil composition is, in some places, similar to the "marne" of Barolo. It is a multi-faceted vineyard which produces both young, fresh wines and also great wines intended for longer aging. The aromas of ripe cherry, plum, blackberry, and raspberry; and the garnet-red color are typical of these grapes.

Mompertone

"Mompertone" is produced from the Barbera and Syrah grapes, which come from the vineyards located in Calliano, in the Basso Monferrato zone. This wine fully expresses all of the peculiarities of those grapes and the morphological and climatic characteristics of this area. This vineyard extends across approximately 11 hectares and is located at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level on clay soil with intermittent veins of sand.

Bricco Colma

Also located in the community of Calliano, this 1-hectare vineyard grows Albarossa (a cross between Nebbiolo and Barbera), from which Bricco Colma is produced. This vineyard is the result of an experiment which began in 2001. At that time Prunotto, together with three other well-known Piemontese vineyards, i.e., Michele Chiarlo, Tenute dei Vallarino, and Vigne Regali, signed their name to an agreement with the local regional experimental vineyard, "Tenuta La Cannona" (the La Cannona Estate), for these types of studies. The aim was to recover and heighten the value of this important native varietal which was obtained from a genetic cross first carried out by Professor Dalmasso in the late 1930's and which today is demonstrating very valuable qualities

Besides an outstanding series of classic wines, Prunotto offers an interesting selection of crus and a choice of specialties like the Bussia and Costamiole grappas. They have thereby increased the value of and carried forward with great success the union between experimentation and the production of varietals which represent a real and personalized voyage through the Piemontese territory. It is a journey through the aromas and characteristics typical of the grapes cultivated in these hills.

Prunotto is located in Alba, the most important focal point of the Langhe, equidistant from Barbaresco and Barolo, on the right bank of the Tanaro River. The property sits on a smooth plain surrounded by vineyards of the Langhe and Roero regions. It is immersed in a countryside which seduces with the natural beauty of its surrounding hills alternating with small sloping valleys which are gently woven between the hillocks.

The land on which the Prunotto Estate is located is fascinating and enrapturing not only because of its natural scenery, the colors and the "silence" it offers, but also because of its history and its traditions. Alba itself has carefully maintained its baroque and renaissance palaces and a series of medieval towers which were built by the city's noble families. All of the region, with its castles and medieval towns, preserves an artistic and architectural patrimony which is amonst the most valuable and unique of the whole region of Piemonte (the Piedmont region of northern Italy).

The Antinori family, who themselves come from a similar environment: bestowed with unique vineyards and lands, decided to take on this terrain with the conviction of going down a path which would make Prunotto become one of the most significant companies in wine production in the Piemonte region.

In fact, the company, consisting of a total of 50 hectares, has vineyards in the best wine-producing areas of the Piemonte and has a wine-producing facility equipped with the most modern technology available. This, in turn, guarantees the best quality possible for the wines and solidifies the winery's position in the spectrum of both national and international production.