Vineyards, men, wines
The territory
Fontanafredda is located in the heart of the Langhe, a world of hills dating back to very ancient times which has always been a prime growing area for great wines, particularly rich, powerful reds.
Our vineyards lie on mostly evenly-contoured hillsides and rounded ridges at an altitude of between 200 and 400 metres. The texture of the mainly calcareous soils can differ within the space of just a few dozen metres: at times loose, with a sand content approaching even 50%; at others firmer, with a higher proportion of silt, and above-all clay.
The climate is typically continental, with wide seasonal variations in the temperatures, while the rainfall - concentrated over the spring and autumn months - is highly variable, which is what produces such extraordinarily different vintages.
Fontanafredda. A century of history of wine in the Langa
Fontanafredda is an estate stretching out over more than one hundred hectares (250 acres) of hilly terrain in the villages of Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo and Diano d'Alba, at the heart of the time-honoured Piedmont that was instrumental in shaping not only the history of Italy itself, but also its most revered wine-making tradition. A place that transmits special, intense sensations to visitors, and where the ties between man and his environment are strong and readily noticeable.
Chronicles of the time relate that “by order of 17 June 1858" an area of 138.82 “giornate piemontesi” (approx. 54 hectares) of the property of Roggeri Giacomo son of Gioanni Battista in Serralunga d'Alba was registered to the private estate of Victor Emmanuel II King of Sardinia. The entire parcel of land was subsequently made over to "Count Emmanuel Guerrieri and his sister Maria Victoria", the natural children of the King and Rosa Vercellana, who was actually accorded the title of Countess of Mirafiori and Fontanafredda.
The history of Fontanafredda as a wine-producing company did not, however, commence until 1878, when Emmanuel Guerrieri, Count of Mirafiori, dedicated his entrepreneurial skills to wine with passion and far-sightedness.
His approach proved to be thoroughly modern, leading to the immediate implementation of innovative criteria focused on producing wines of quality, in particular Barolo.
Testimony to the estate’s noble past remains intact today - the hunting lodge, the hamlet, the extensive cellars, the vineyards -, but the winery continues to experiment and move with the times in perfecting what nature and history have handed down.
Fontanafredda and wine: the principles of tradition
Safeguarding origins
At Fontanafredda this is the ground rule and the main concern: the wines must as far as possible preserve the character and personality that derive from the interaction between the variety, the environment and the work of the vinegrower.
During the long journey that starts out in the vineyard and ends with ageing in the bottle, each step enhances the original resource with new details: this is why they must all be followed with the utmost attention.
Controlling the production process
Over a century of experience has taught that making wine is a complex process in which each step is of equal importance.
From choosing the most appropriate variety for each terrain to the tending of the vineyard, from pruning through to the harvest, from the fermentation to ageing. We believe that only attentive, precise controlling of the entire process can guarantee a natural, high quality product.
The work in the vineyard
Sound, ripe grapes can only be grown by taking appropriate action at the right times during the vine’s entire vegetative cycle. The criteria applied by Fontanafredda to both the estate vineyards, and the vineyards of growers whose grapes are supplied to the winery, are identical.
The pruning is designed to obtain the number of bunches that each plant is capable of ripening, thinning is carried out after setting, and a final selection is made during picking, prior to pressing.
The work on the land is reduced to a minimum, with the technique of controlled grass regeneration being adopted. The same applies to manuring and pesticide treatments, for which the latest vine pest management techniques are employed in keeping with the European Union programme for safeguarding the environment and reducing crop protection interventions.
Work: methods and timing
Expertise in the winery
Majestic nineteenth-century cellars accommodate the noble red wines for their ageing, while new buildings equipped with all the technology that is essential today bring out the best in the characteristics of the white and sparkling wines.
This skilful way of proceeding gives priority to the safeguarding of values such as identity and origin, and allows the two “spirits” of Fontanafredda - still and sparkling wines - to coexist harmoniously.
The company’s production philosophy takes shape beneath high brick vaulted ceilings, amidst oak casks and steel vats. A blend of tradition and innovation, and of experience and technical progress, with which the fascinating personality of Fontanafredda’s wines is renewed with each vintage.
Controlled origin of the grapes
Only grapes of certified origin are used in making Fontanafredda wines, and only wines made in our winery bear our brand.
The estate vineyards are located in the villages of Serralunga d'Alba, Diano d'Alba and Barolo: 70 hectares planted with the nebbiolo, barbera, dolcetto and moscato varieties. But with each vintage, grapes are consigned to Fontanafredda by nearly five hundred growers in the Langhe and Roero whose loyalty to the company has endured for generations.
Fontanafredda and its products: an aptitude for excellence
Fontanafredda’s production philosophy consists of making wines and sparkling wines which express the great Piedmontese wine-growing tradition with distinctive personality and character. Each of our products unmistakably bears the hallmark of the local territory, as well as elements of experience and innovation.
The wines
The production of red and white wines is organized into three lines, on the basis of geographical origin and the number of bottles produced.
“Tradizione”, a line distinguished by the classic silver label, features a vast range of products that have contributed to creating the brand’s international reputation. Vineyards located in the traditional DOC and DOCG growing areas in Piedmont, up-to-date wine-making techniques, consistent quality that comes from vinifying together grapes grown on vineyards positioned in different conditions of soil and climate: a combination of characteristics that has made “Tradizione” the emblem of Fontanafredda.
“Le Selezioni” reflects a different approach to the concept of territorial origin. The geographical area is more limited, and the output is reduced too: the range includes wines with town or village denominations, and wines grown on a small number of vineyards with similar qualities, although located in different communes.
“Tenimenti Fontanafredda”, finally, is a line of products that highlight the properties of single vineyards, with the grapes being processed separately in most cases. The range emphasizes terroir: the unique rapport that is created between the vine, the soil and climate, and the work of man. High prestige vineyards - part of the estate itself, or controlled by the company through its technical staff – produce wines of great personality that clearly bear the stamp of origin in the various vintages.
The sparkling wines
The production of sparkling wines is also divided into three lines: “Classici”, “Bollicine d’autore” and “Méthode Fontanafredda”.
Besides their origin, the differences between the ranges derive from the processing techniques used.
“I Classici” brings together wines made according to the Charmat method, in which the second fermentation takes place in large stainless steel tanks.
This technique is particularly effective with sweet sparkling wines, as it brings out the original intense, fragrant aromas of the grape, and the balance of flavour.
“Bollicine d'Autore” on the other hand, caters for a series of sparkling wines which result from a stringent selection during the harvest and have a more limited production, though they are still processed using the “long” Charmat method.
“Méthode Fontanafredda” conjures up the somewhat magical atmosphere bottle fermentated brut, in which the second fermentation in glass makes each bottle unique. The experience of generations of cellarmasters guarantees the observance of time-honoured methods.
The panorama of Fontanafredda products is completed by Piedmontese varietal grappas, a very special Barolo Chinato, and delicious “Cuneesi al Barolo Chinato” chocolates.
The Fontanafredda Barolo Pyramid
THE TOP
Barolo “Le Vigne”:
3 crus from the most prestigious estate vineyards. The grapes are vinified separately, and the wines are only released in top vintages.
THE BODY
Barolo Serralunga d’Alba:
The grapes are grown exclusively within the area of the village of Serralunga d’Alba.
THE BASIS
Barolo “Tradizione”:
The grapes come from vineyards located in the 11 villages forming the Barolo wine-growing area.
COMPANY PROFILE
Address:FONTANAFREDDA S.p.A.
Via Alba, 15
12050 SERRALUNGA D’ALBA CN
Tel 0173 626111Fax 0173 613451
Year of founding:1878
General Manager:GIOVANNI
Technical Director:DANILO
Sales Director:ROBERTO
Finance Director:PARIS
Production:4,070,000 bottles of sparkling wine (Charmat - Talento Metodo Classico)
2,466,000 bottles of wine, including 400,000 of Barolo and 115,000 of Barbaresco
Cellars:storage capacity for up to 101,000 hl., including approx. 16,750 in casks and 2,250 in barrels.
Vineyards:62 hectares (150 acres) located in the villages of Serralunga d’Alba, Barolo and Diano d’Alba, including 30 hectares of Nebbiolo within the Barolo growing area.
Wines:Fontanafredda Vigna La Rosa, Lazzarito Vigna La Delizia, Paiagallo Vigna La Villa, Barolo Serralunga d’Alba, Barolo Docg, Barbaresco Docg, Barbaresco Coste Rubin, Nebbiolo d’Alba Marne Brune, Langhe Nebbiolo, Barbera d’Alba Sup. Papagena, Barbera d’Alba Raimonda, Barbera d’Alba Doc, La Lepre Diano d’Alba, Treiso Dolcetto d’Alba, Dolcetto d’Alba Doc, Roero Arneis Pradalupo, Gavi di Gavi, Moscato d’Asti Moncucco, Asti Millesimato, Asti Docg, Pinot Brut, Chardonnay Brut, Acqui Brachetto d’Acqui, Contessa Rosa Brut, Gatinera Talento Metodo Classico, Alta Langa Piemonte, Barolo Chinato
Employees:90
Sales force in Italy:10 agents and 5 Area Managers
Export markets:30 countries on five continents.
2002/2003 Turnover:29,000,000
Comunication MPS Tenimenti - Freelance Agency
Via Camollia, 8 53100 Siena
Tel. + 39 0577. 219228
Rossella Lezzi: 335. 28 34 24
Ester del Bino Norero: 349. 66 97 260