Monforte d'Alba, Piedmont
The history of this family-estate began in 1925 when Giovanni Manzone purchased “Ciabot del Preve” (the priest’s house). In the following years, they acquired the important vineyards “Castelletto” and “Gramolere”, two of the best cru of Monforte d’Alba. In 2005, Mauro Manzone joined his father Giovanni in the management of the winery, followed by Mirella (Giovanni’s daughter) in 2012. Both graduated at the prestigious Institute of Viticulture and Enology in Alba.
The winery is made of about 8 hectares of vines and the high-elevation vineyards (approximately 450 meters/1,500 feet above sea level), the extreme steepness and the great terroir foster naturally low-yielding vines. Sustainable vineyard management, through the principles of pure, natural, non-invasive agriculture, is followed and no pesticides or chemical treatments have ever been used.
In the spirit of the most celebrated Barolo producers, Manzone’s wines follow a traditional style, which means generally longer maceration times and aging primarily in large oak casks. The wines are unclarified and unfiltered with minimal sulfur added. The result is represented by wines of great finesse and elegance that have a pure expression of the grape in every bottle. They are approachable when young, yet remain amongst the most concentrated and longest-lived of all Barolos.
The Wine Advocate has described Giovanni Manzone as a winery that "...continues to produce some of the most unique Barolos in the zone. Although his hometown of Monforte is best known for structured wines, Manzone's vineyards are among the highest in the region and, as a result, his wines show unusually delicate, often ethereal personalities".
The Wine Spectator says that Manzone is "a small producer who does magic with Nebbiolo."
Main Wines
Langhe Rossese
Barolo Castelletto
Barolo Gramolere
Barolo Bricat
Barolo Gramolere Riserva