Cantina di Tortona • PIEMONTE

Willful determination; devotion to the land-

Cantina Tortona was established in 1931 by a group of 38 farmers to halt rural migration and promote vine growing as a reputable and profitable way of life. The Tortona Hills are situated in the southeastern part of Piedmont, bordering Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Liguria. The land heights range from 122 meters to 471 meters.

As the winery was established, the European economy was facing a severe depression, with a significant number of small and large private companies in Italy going bankrupt. The consequences were dramatic in terms of unemployment and national and international sales, with a drastic cut in wages and salaries of public and private workers and employees. In those years, it became clear to Tortona’s winegrowers that they could only face those challenging moments together.

Thus, on September 12, 1931, a public Act established the coop.

The microclimate of the Colli Tortonesi appellation area, combined with the exceptional soil of their vineyards, enables the production of remarkable wines, including Derthona Timorasso, Favorita, Cortese, and red grapes such as Barbera and Dolcetto. The farmers are now in their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations; they continue to maintain the area's dignity and farm the land as their founders did. While many have moved on from a life as a farmer, they continue to work the biotic lands that were ceremoniously passed down to them. The area of Tortona is receiving some good press, a Slow Food favorite, for not only its wines but also its cheese, salumi, heirloom vegetables, and the delightful regional cooking. Tortona, like most places in Italy, is rich in culture. While it is a small town, it is not to be missed. With its medieval architecture, narrow lanes paved with black and white cobblestone, and an elegant square, it is a perfect stop on the way from the Ligurian coast of Genoa up north towards the Alps or Milan. Degusteria Forlino is a must at lunch there, and sip a glass of Timorasso.