History

The Monfalletto Cordero di Montezemolo estate boasts many centuries of history. Its origins takes us back to 3rd April 1340, when Pietrino Falletti becomes the owner of the La Morra comune, thanks to a loan granted to the municipality of Alba. Over the centuries the Falletti property increases, is sold, dismantled, lost, inherited and so on, with the rise and fall of various branches of the family throughout the Piemonte region. Nevertheless, ownership of the land in La Morra although somewhat altered, continues for sixteen generations, from 1340 until the death of Countess Luigia Falletti di Rodello in 1941. The family line having died out, the property passed to the nearest descendant, Paolo Cordero di Montezemolo, the Countess’ nephew and father of the current owner Giovanni Cordero di Montezemolo, who still leads the firm alongside his children Elena and Alberto.

Farm Monfalletto

The cedar tree

At the top of the Monfalletto hill stands an impressive and majestic ancient cedar of Lebanon: it can be seen from any point on the perimeter surrounding the estate, which is covered with vineyards growing Nebbiolo grapes for the production of Barolo. From the tree’s hilltop position, in turn, the distinctive features of the entire area can be viewed; the shapes of valleys and hills as far as the borders of the land, giving an idea of its size. The tree is part of the history and tradition of this area: it was planted by Costanzo Falletti di Rodello and Eulalia della Chiesa di Cervignasco to mark their wedding in 1856, as a symbol of their love for the land.

The vineyards

The vineyards are laid out in a single block occupying 30 hectares, with the exception of the Enrico VI vineyard in Castiglione Falletto, and produce only DOCG and DOC wines. The Nebbiolo vines used for Barolo account for half the cultivated area, and this wine is the firm’s classic flagship product. Other important wines are Dolcetto d’Alba, Langhe Arneis, Barbera d’Alba and Langhe Chardonnay “Elioro”. The estate is located in a strategic position in the heart of the Barolo area, with excellent exposure and altitude for ripening of all the grape varieties. The winery was refurbished over ten years at the turn of the century, and today constitutes an example of the perfect integration of architecture within the surrounding landscape, a harmonious blend of modern and rural geometries.

The wines

  • Langhe Arneis
  • Langhe Chardonnay
  • Montezemolo brut
  • Dolcetto d’Alba
  • Langhe Nebbiolo
  • Barbera d’Alba
  • Barolo Monfalletto
  • Barolo Enrico VI
  • Barolo Gattera

The Langhe

The hilly Langhe region extends from the edge of the Roero area to the border with the province of Asti. Its distinctive characteristic is the parallel arrangement of crests and valleys which – in all likelihood – gave the area its name. (Langhe = langue = tongues of land). This has always been a land of great wines; indeed, in the hill country of the lower Langhe, vines are practically the only crop grown, resulting in an expanse of vineyards which is truly a spectacular sight. The main historical and geographical centre of the Langhe is the town of Alba, an important commercial and industrial hub in the province, but also the arrival and departure point for routes to the nearby towns.