What started in the late 1800s as Italy's best-known and most prominent vineyard area is today microscopic. 'Alto Piemonte', the hills leading to the Alps in the northeastern part of Piedmont, produced breathtaking wines on the 40,000 hectares of vineyards it once boasted. Today, there are fewer than 40K hectares across all of Piedmont, with fewer than 1000 in the once-grand Alto Piemonte area. So what happened? The perfect storm: phylloxera hit hard in the late 1800s, and many of these terraced vineyards were denounced as a financial burden on the poor farmers who once worked the land. Concurrently, the economic boom in Torino assisted in making the farmer change gears- Fiat was the place to work and make money. Finally, add to the increased production in the Langhe to the southwest. In the early 20th century, a surge in output in the Langhe Barolo and Barbaresco areas was a notable development. The combination of these denoted the unfortunate passing of Alto Piemonte.

A renaissance in Alto Piedmont-

Currently, a small number of Artisan families remain. In the past 30 years, the Alto has been experiencing a reawakening- including the next-gen setting the bar higher, new blood capturing old lands, and the chatter of 'what once was' buzzing in the ears of Oenophiles​. While Alto will probably never go back to what it was, what remains is some terrific juice-terroir-driven, handcrafted wines ​running the stylistic gamut from classical to contemporary, rustic to refined. Which brings us back to Castello di Montecavallo-

"Wine is an expression of terroir."

This proclamation is where the siblings begin. The position of Castello di Montecavallo is crucial to the success of their vineyards. The hill sits 450 meters above sea level, and the proximity to the mountains ensures cool nights even during the summer. These cooler nights guarantee the extraction of the aromas of small fruits; the sandy soil, combined with the vineyards' slope, allows rapid water drainage, which translates into a greater concentration of flavors and minerals in the wine. Finally, the sharpness of the earth gives it a peculiar freshness and elegance. The natural integration of these elements gives the wines a perfect balance between body, harmony, and flavor; consequently, their hands in the winery can be light, though their steadfast focus remains. They are guardians of the land, and with that comes a considerable obligation to bring forth their commitment to make some of the finest wines of Alto Piemonte