Fontanafredda: Barolo Estate Founded in 1858

Fontanafredda is a renowned producer of Barolo, the "king of wines," and it has been noble since the start.

A royal beginning

The winery was founded in 1858 by Count Emanuele Alberto di Mirafiori on the hunting grounds of his father, King Vittorio Emanuele II. The first king of Italy was known for his bravery — and for his fondness for wine. More than 150 years later, the estate continues to make wines of the highest caliber, thanks to respect for the land, passion for vinicultural tradition and the use of innovative technology.

Le Langhe, Piemonte

Fontanafredda sits in the heart of Le Langhe, a hilly wine region in the northern region of Piemonte. The estate spreads over 250 acres of rugged terrain in the villages of Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo and Diano d'Alba.

The soils tend to be chalky, which helps the grape retain its acidity. Within a few feet, the soil can shift from loose with high sand content to firm and rich in silt and clay. That diversity shapes the character of the vines planted on these hills — think of Le Langhe's famous terroir.

Farmed without chemicals

Only grapes of certified origin, grown on the Fontanafredda estates, go into the brand's wines. All estate vineyards are farmed without the use of chemicals. The property is under conversion to be certified organic and is a safe, sustainable refuge for a wide array of local flora and fauna.

In the cellars

After the harvest, the work continues in the cellars. Beneath high brick-vaulted ceilings, oak casks and steel vats in the majestic nineteenth-century cellars hold the noble red wines as they age. Newer buildings are equipped with the technology needed to bring out the best in the white and sparkling wines. This skillful process safeguards identity and origin and lets the two "souls" of Fontanafredda — still and sparkling wines — coexist harmoniously.

Find Fontanafredda at Eataly

Taste the wines of Fontanafredda at your local Eataly.