Giovanni Manzone

The Giovanni Manzone estate is located in Monforte d'Alba and since its inception, in 1925, it has always been a full family affair: still today, father, son and daughter share the management of the winery. Giovanni Manzone owns 13.5 ha, with only about 7 hectares planted to vines. Most vineyards are within the Barolo appellation and near the Castelletto farmhouse. There are two Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive (MGA) claimed for Barolo, Castelletto, and Gramolere. Both are suitable for excellent viticulture due to the poor soils, which are meager in organic matter. Manzone's high-elevation vineyards (1,500 feet) and their extreme steepness foster naturally low-yielding vines which produce wines that are approachable while young, yet remain amongst the most concentrated and longest-lived of all Barolos. At the estate the principles of natural, non-invasive agriculture are followed: integrated pest and disease control is carried out by using minimal amounts of sulfur and copper-based products. No insecticides or fertilizers have ever been used. Natural grass is left between the rows of vines and, when mowed, it is left on the ground to form humus. The winery holds a certification by The Green Experience In the cellar, traditional-style winemaking includes long fermentations and macerations (30-45 days), gentle pump-overs to guarantee a delicate polyphenolic extraction and ageing in large barrels and tonneux (500 and 700 lt). Minimal amounts of SO2 are added and all the wines are unclarified and unfiltered. The entire production is focused on quality and limited to about 45,000 bts/year.