Nicknamed the Barolo of Barbaresco, the vineyards of Montestefano are known for producing rich, powerful Nebbiolo. Situated just a few hundred metres south of the equally-famous Montefico vineyard, Montestefano’s southern exposure provide sunlight for the grapes to ripen, while the steep calcareous limestone slopes drain well. These conditions ensure good harvests even in wet vintages. Sheltered from the northern winds, Montestefano’s microclimate is relatively warm, so its Nebbiolo develops a ripe, full profile.

The Montestefano Riserva shows how great terroir and winemaking can come together to allow Nebbiolo to express its potential in the glass. Hand-picked grapes were macerated for 28 days, then aged in large oak botti for 36 months. The wine spent a further 12 months in bottle where it developed intense flavours of red fruit, spice, leather, tobacco, and dried rose. It’s a full-bodied wine with silky tannins and a long finish.

“The 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is perhaps the most complete of the 2019 Riservas at this stage. It offers fine depth, plenty of tannin and nascent emerging inner sweetness to tie it all together. A wine of stature and textural depth, the Montestefano is my early favorite in this lineup.”
95 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, September 2023

“Restrained if not dull at first. Very minerally nose with peach peel, orange zest, sweet violets and vermouth-like complexity, Firm tannins, a medium body, crisp acidity and an extracted yet classic finish. Drink from 2025, but it has the potential for aging.”
94 points, James Suckling, May 2024