Cordero di Montezemolo Winery Guide

Winery Overview

The fabulous medieval estate of Monfalletto in Italy’s Piedmont wine region, where postcard-perfect rows of vineyards rise and fall over the gently rolling hills, is the birthplace of the expressive and characterful Cordero di Montezemolo wines. The legacy of the aristocratic Falletti family, who made wine here for six centuries, became a commercial winery in the 1940s under Paolo Cordero di Montezemolo’s guidance, who began making a name for himself with the production of top Barolos and Barberas.

The family’s history and exclusive wines can be traced much further back. The Falletti family first acquired this land in 1340 and held on to it until 1941, when Countess Luigia Falletti di Rodello died without children. Her nephew, Paolo Cordero di Montezemolo, inherited the land, marking the start of a new, more outward-looking, modern era for the estate; previously, the wine had been made to give workers a part of their salary. These days, Paolo’s sons Giovanni and Enrico run the winery and sell their wines worldwide.

The historic Monfalletto estate, in the Annunziata district near the darling village of La Morra, comprises 28 hectares where Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera, and Arneis are grown. This property appears on land registers dating to the Middle Ages, is striped with perfectly laid-out rows of vines, and features an ancient farmhouse carefully restored. At its heart is the iconic Cedar of Lebanon, a tree atop Monfalletto Hill standing guard over the vineyards. Planted in 1856 by Costanzo Falletti di Rodello and his bride Eulalia Della Chiesa di Cervignasco to mark their wedding day, it’s an enduring symbol of their love for the land.

Further Reading

Author

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Genevieve Mc Carthy

Genevieve, originally from San Diego, California, has spent the last 25 years living in Europe, primarily in Spain, Ireland, and Italy. She has a background in the wine industry, having worked for a top wine importer in Ireland and a prestigious winery in Italy's Franciacorta region. In 2003, Genevieve founded Cellar Tours, a boutique wine tours company based in Madrid, Spain. She holds wine education credentials from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) in London and has a strong network within the European wine industry. Genevieve's specializes in organizing VIP tours to exclusive wineries that are not accessible to the general public. With a passion for food and wine, fluency in multiple languages, and expertise in luxury travel and tourism, Genevieve has built a successful career in creating unique wine experiences.

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