Poderi Aldo Conterno winery
The story of Poderi Aldo Conterno is a tale of great passion for winemaking that winds back through the generations and crosses international borders. It starts in the 19th century when the forefathers of Aldo Conterno emigrated to Argentina. After only a few years they went back to Italy to the small family farm and winery in Monforte d Alba where they returned to producing the local wine. Aldo bought the Favot farm, founding the estate Poderi Aldo Conterno in 1969. The farmhouse is situated in the Bussia hamlet, a section of the Monforte d Alba village. At present, the farm comprises about 25 hectares of vineyards considered to be some of the very best plots in all the Langhe. At an altitude of about 400 meters above sea level, the terrain is oriented south-southwest and is composed of gray-brown compact layers of sandy soil alternating with white and bluish calcareous marls, rich with calcium carbonate and iron. All fruit is strictly hand-harvested in mid-October. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. The estate s four Barolos are vinified in the same manner: they are all fermented in horizontal fermenters, which are different from the more violent rotary fermenters according to Conterno. Fermentation and maceration last 2-3 weeks, depending on the vintage. The wines are then aged exclusively in Slavonian-oak casks ranging from 25 to 75 hectolitres, which are changed every 15-18 years. The wines are remarkably approachable and tend to show a lot of sweet fruit in their youths as well as notes of spices and vanilla.