Barolo · Winery · Curated profile

Fontanafredda

Fontanafredda

Fontanafredda began in 1858 as the royal hunting estate of Vittorio Emanuele II, who gave it to Rosa Vercellana, later Countess of Fontanafredda. It sits in Serralunga d'Alba, in the heart of the Barolo zone, and is one of the best-known names in the Langhe. The vineyards are certified organic, about 120 hectares, and the Barolo range covers named vineyards such as Vigna La Rosa, Vigna La Delizia, Vigna La Villa, Gallaretto and the Fontanafredda MGA, plus the Serralunga commune Barolo. Beyond Barolo the list runs from Barbaresco, Roero Arneis and Gavi to Alta Langa Metodo Classico, Moscato d'Asti and Barolo Chinato. Oscar Farinetti, the founder of Eataly, has led the company since 2008. Serralunga's calcareous marl gives Barolo that is firm, long-lived and austere.

At a glance

Region
Barolo, Piemonte, Italy
Address
Via Alba 15, 12050 Serralunga d'Alba (CN)
Winemaker
Giorgio Lavagna, Technical Director, with agronomist Alberto Grasso
Tours
Available
Tastings
Available
Wines listed
65
Website
https://www.fontanafredda.it/en/

Visits & tastings

Visits start from the historic cellars in Serralunga d'Alba and are booked online through the Villaggio Narrante site.

Tours

  • Scopri Fontanafredda · 1 h 30 · €35 · ends with a tasting of 3 wines
  • Il Barolo di Serralunga
  • Le Vigne del Barolo
  • L'Alta Langa

Good to know

  • Book ahead online, weekend availability is limited
  • Tours include stairs and an underground tunnel, so access is limited
  • The tasting is not open to minors

Contact

Wines from Fontanafredda

  • Ampelio: Langhe DOC Chardonnay, 100% Chardonnay, White. Fontanafredda's barrel-fermented Chardonnay, named for the study of the vine (ampelography) that guides the estate's approach to it, blending steel-fermented freshness with a partial barrel-aged component.
  • Asti: Asti DOCG, 100% Moscato Bianco, Sparkling. Fontanafredda's classic sweet Asti DOCG spumante, made from Moscato Bianco grown across the historic Asti zone.
  • Barolo Chinato: Barolo Chinato, Nebbiolo (Barolo DOCG base), Fortified. Fontanafredda's aromatized Barolo Chinato, made to an estate recipe preserved since the start of the 20th century — one of the "Speciality" wines alongside the estate's grappa.
  • Barolo Riserva: Barolo DOCG Riserva, 100% Nebbiolo, Red. Fontanafredda's blended (non-single-vineyard) Barolo Riserva, part of the estate's "Annate Storiche" historic-vintage releases.
  • Barolo Riserva Pensiero: Barolo DOCG Riserva, 100% Nebbiolo, Red. Pensiero line Barolo Riserva, a distinct bottling from the Platinum-line Barolo Riserva, aged at least 62 months.
  • Blanc de Blancs: Alta Langa DOCG, 100% Chardonnay, Sparkling. Fontanafredda's 100% Chardonnay Alta Langa, aged a minimum of 30 months on its lees in the traditional method, from estate vineyards above Serralunga d'Alba.
  • BollaCiao: Alta Langa DOCG, Pinot Nero and Chardonnay, Sparkling. A more playful, approachable face of Fontanafredda's Alta Langa range, blending Pinot Nero and Chardonnay in the traditional method.
  • Brachetto d'Acqui: Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG, 100% Brachetto, Sweet. Fontanafredda's sweet sparkling red from Brachetto grapes, made in the same fresh, drink-young Charmat style as the estate's Asti and Moscato d'Asti.
  • Briccotondo Arneis: Langhe DOC, Arneis, White. A crisp and aromatic Arneis from the Langhe, offering refreshing notes and a pleasant finish.
  • Briccotondo Barbera: Piemonte DOC, Barbera, Red. A vibrant and approachable Barbera from Piedmont, offering a taste of the region's everyday elegance.
  • Briccotondo Dolcetto: Langhe DOC, Dolcetto, Red. A delightful Dolcetto from the Langhe, known for its soft tannins and fruity character.
  • Briccotondo Moscato: Moscato d'Asti DOCG, Moscato, Sweet. A fragrant and gently sparkling Moscato d'Asti, perfect for celebrations or as a dessert wine.
  • Brut Millesimato: Piemonte DOC Metodo Classico, Pinot Nero, Chardonnay, Sparkling. Piemonte DOC Metodo Classico, minimum 24 months on the lees.
  • Ciabot San Pietro: Langhe DOC Nebbiolo, 100% Nebbiolo, Red. Pensiero line single-vineyard Langhe Nebbiolo.
  • Contessa Rosa Rosé: Alta Langa DOCG, Pinot Nero, Chardonnay, Rosé. An elegant Rosé from Alta Langhe, offering delicate flavors and a refined character.
  • Contessa Vittoria: Langhe DOC, 100% Arneis, White. A Pensiero-tier Langhe Arneis named "Contessa Vittoria," positioned as a more characterful, structured expression than the estate's everyday Arneis bottlings.
  • Cortem: Gavi DOCG, 100% Cortese, White. Fontanafredda's certified-organic Gavi DOCG, sourced from the Gavi commune itself and made in a fresh, mineral-driven style.
  • Coste Rubìn: Barbaresco DOCG, Nebbiolo, Red. A distinguished Barbaresco from the Coste Rubìn vineyard, showcasing the elegance of Nebbiolo.
  • Derthona: Colli Tortonesi DOC, 100% Timorasso, White. Fontanafredda's expression of Timorasso, the indigenous grape of the Colli Tortonesi rediscovered in recent decades and bottled under the shared "Derthona" name — the ancient Roman name for Tortona — that regional…
  • Dolcetto d'Alba: Dolcetto d'Alba DOC, 100% Dolcetto, Red. Fontanafredda's classic, everyday-drinking Dolcetto d'Alba, made for immediate fruity appeal.
  • Ebbio: Langhe DOC, Nebbiolo, Red. A youthful and expressive Nebbiolo from the Langhe, offering a glimpse into the grape's potential.
  • Eremo: Langhe DOC Rosso, Nebbiolo blend, Red. Fontanafredda's Langhe Rosso "Eremo," sourced from the same calcareous marl soils that underpin the estate's Barolo and Barbaresco vineyards.
  • Esordio: Piemonte DOC, 100% Moscato Bianco, Sparkling. Fontanafredda's entry-level extra-dry sparkling wine, made from Moscato Bianco in the open Charmat method for a lively, everyday spumante.
  • Gavi: Gavi DOCG, 100% Cortese, White. Fontanafredda's classic-tier Gavi DOCG, a lighter, everyday counterpart to the estate's organic Cortem bottling from the Gavi commune itself.
  • Grignolino: Piemonte DOC, 100% Grignolino, Red. Fontanafredda's take on Grignolino, one of Piedmont's lightest and most food-friendly native reds.
  • Hundred Sixty Eight: Alta Langa DOCG, 100% Pinot Nero, Sparkling. A limited-edition Alta Langa Riserva released to mark Fontanafredda's 168th anniversary, aged at least 80 months on the lees from the 2018 vintage — part of an ongoing birthday series (Hundred Sixty, Sixty One, Sixty…
  • La Cuvée: Alta Langa DOCG, Pinot Nero, Chardonnay, Sparkling. Alta Langa DOCG Metodo Classico blend, disgorged after at least 30 months on the lees.
  • La Lepre: Langhe DOC, 100% Dolcetto, Red. Fontanafredda's certified-organic, whole-cluster Dolcetto bottling, named "La Lepre" (the hare).
  • Langhe Chardonnay: Langhe DOC, 100% Chardonnay, White. Fontanafredda's straightforward, steel-fermented Langhe Chardonnay — a fresher, more everyday counterpart to the estate's barrel-aged Ampelio.
  • Langhe Nebbiolo: Langhe DOC, 100% Nebbiolo, Red. Fontanafredda's classic, everyday-drinking Langhe Nebbiolo, distinct from the estate's whole-cluster "Ebbio" bottling.
  • Le Fronde: Moscato d'Asti DOCG, 100% Moscato, Sweet. Organic (BIO), Le Righe line Moscato d'Asti.
  • Limited Edition: Alta Langa DOCG, Pinot Nero 70%, Chardonnay 30%, Sparkling. A meticulous blend of Pinot Nero and Chardonnay from crus at an average altitude of 500m, aged a minimum of 30 months on its lees for aromatic complexity.
  • Marin: Langhe DOC, Riesling, White. Named for the "marin," the sea wind that crosses the Langhe hills, this Riesling-Nascetta blend is built for real aging, spending three years in bottle before release.
  • Marne Brune: Nebbiolo d'Alba DOC, 100% Nebbiolo, Red. An organic, whole-cluster Nebbiolo d'Alba named for the "marne brune" (brown marls) of its Sant'Agata Fossili soils, with a Ginkgo biloba leaf and fossil on the label nodding to that ancient geology.
  • Moncucco: Moscato d'Asti DOCG, 100% Moscato, Sweet. Vini Fini line Moscato d'Asti from the Moncucco cru in Santo Stefano Belbo.
  • Monforte d'Alba: Barolo DOCG, 100% Nebbiolo, Red. A single-commune Barolo from Monforte d'Alba under Fontanafredda's Pensiero range, a counterpart to the estate's flagship Serralunga d'Alba bottling from the appellation's more structured, tannic side.
  • Monfresco: Piemonte DOC, 100% Barbera, Red. A playful, naturally lively (vivace) take on Barbera, designed as an easy, everyday wine for snacks and quick lunches.
  • Papagena: Barbera d'Alba Superiore DOC, 100% Barbera, Red. Part of Fontanafredda's Pensiero range, this Barbera d'Alba Superiore comes from a west-facing site in Serralunga d'Alba, built for more structure and aging potential than the estate's base Barbera d'Alba.
  • Parpan: Dolcetto d'Alba DOC, 100% Dolcetto, Red. Fontanafredda's Pensiero-tier, single-vineyard Dolcetto d'Alba from the Parpan site, built with a longer maceration and steel aging than the estate's base Dolcetto.
  • Piemonte Barbera: Piemonte DOC, 100% Barbera, Red. Fontanafredda's certified-organic Piemonte DOC Barbera, an approachable everyday red from organically farmed hillside vineyards.
  • Pilone dei Canta: Dolcetto d'Alba DOC, 100% Dolcetto, Red. Le Righe line single-cru Dolcetto d'Alba from Treiso.
  • Pradalupo: Roero Arneis DOCG, Arneis, White
  • Proprietà in Fontanafredda: Barolo DOCG, Nebbiolo, Red. Since 1858, the Fontanafredda Estate & Winery has been instrumental to the growth and international awareness of Barolo, while championing sustainability and community engagement in the Langhe region of Piedmont. Under…
  • Proprietà in Gallaretto: Barolo DOCG, 100% Nebbiolo, Red. One of three new single-vineyard Barolos debuted from the 2022 vintage, from a small Gallaretto parcel replanted in 2002 — part of Fontanafredda's renewed focus on vinifying its historic crus separately.
  • Raimonda: Barbera d'Alba DOC, Barbera, Red
  • Ròca della Selva: Barbaresco DOCG, 100% Nebbiolo, Red. Part of Fontanafredda's Pensiero range, this single-vineyard Barbaresco comes from the Ròca della Selva site on a warm, south/south-west facing mid-hillside.
  • Roero Arneis: Roero Arneis DOCG, 100% Arneis, White. Fontanafredda's base-tier Roero Arneis, distinct from the estate's single-vineyard Pradalupo bottling.
  • Rosato: Langhe DOC Rosato, 100% Nebbiolo, Rosé. Platinum line Langhe DOC Rosato, 100% Nebbiolo vinified as a rosé.
  • Serralunga d'Alba: Barolo DOCG, 100% Nebbiolo, Red. Fontanafredda's flagship Barolo and the first commune-designated Barolo ever released, in 1988 — the original "single-village Barolo." Certified organic since the 2018 harvest, and released each vintage with a rotating…
  • Silver Label Barbaresco: Barbaresco DOCG, Nebbiolo, Red
  • Silver Label Barbera d'Alba: Barbera d'Alba DOC, Barbera, Red
  • Silver Label Barolo: Barolo DOCG, Nebbiolo, Red
  • Solerose Rosé: Langhe DOC, Nebbiolo, Rosé
  • Val di Tana: Roero Arneis DOCG, 100% Arneis, White. Vini Fini line Roero Arneis, part whole-cluster fermented.
  • Viadelsale: Langhe DOC Bianco, Arneis, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier blend, White. Named for the historic "via del sale" salt road linking Liguria to the Langhe, this blend unites Arneis (sweetness and drinkability) from the lower Langa with Sauvignon Blanc (structure, perfume) and Viognier (body,…
  • Vigna Bianca: Barolo DOCG, 100% Nebbiolo, Red. One of three new single-vineyard Barolos debuted from the 2022 vintage as part of Fontanafredda's "Back to the single vineyards" project, sitting within the estate's own MGA Fontanafredda monopole alongside Vigna San…
  • Vigna Gatinera 108 Mesi Riserva: Alta Langa DOCG, 100% Pinot Nero, Sparkling. The longest-aged of the four progressive disgorgements (72/84/96/108 months) of Fontanafredda's single-parcel Pinot Nero Alta Langa Riserva, sharing its 2016 vintage with the 96-month release but showing a further year…
  • Vigna Gatinera 120 Mesi Riserva: Alta Langa DOCG, 100% Pinot Nero, Sparkling. The extended-aging edition of Fontanafredda's single-parcel Pinot Nero Alta Langa Riserva, from the 2015 vintage, pushing the progressive Vigna Gatinera disgorgement series beyond its original four stages.
  • Vigna Gatinera 72 Mesi Riserva: Alta Langa DOCG, 100% Pinot Nero, Sparkling. Fontanafredda's historic Alta Langa Riserva from a single 100% Pinot Nero parcel in Serralunga d'Alba, deliberately disgorged in four progressive stages (72, 84, 96 and 108 months) from the same vintage so the same…
  • Vigna Gatinera 84 Mesi Riserva: Alta Langa DOCG, 100% Pinot Nero, Sparkling. The second of four progressive disgorgements (72/84/96/108 months) of Fontanafredda's single-parcel Pinot Nero Alta Langa Riserva, letting the same 2017 harvest be tasted with a longer stretch of lees aging than the…
  • Vigna Gatinera 96 Mesi Riserva: Alta Langa DOCG, 100% Pinot Nero, Sparkling. The third of four progressive disgorgements (72/84/96/108 months) of Fontanafredda's single-parcel Pinot Nero Alta Langa Riserva, from the 2016 vintage.
  • Vigna La Delizia: Barolo DOCG, Nebbiolo, Red
  • Vigna La Rosa: Barolo DOCG, Nebbiolo, Red. Released for the first time in 1964, Vigna La Rosa was the first single-vineyard Barolo ever bottled, and remains one of four historic vineyards, alongside Vigna San Pietro, Vigna Bianca and Vigna Gallareto, at the…
  • Vigna La Villa: Barolo DOCG, 100% Nebbiolo, Red. One of Fontanafredda's most historic vineyards, named for the royal farmstead at its foot, revived in the 2019 vintage as part of the estate's return to single-vineyard bottlings.
  • Vigna San Pietro: Barolo DOCG, 100% Nebbiolo, Red. After roughly thirty years, this 1996-planted parcel returns to being bottled on its own — one of three new single-vineyard Barolos debuted from the 2022 vintage, from deep-rooted vines within the MGA Fontanafredda…