Region: Piedmont (Monforte d’Alba), Italy
Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo
Body: Full
Notes: Wild black cherry, blue flowers, blood orange, sweet leather, black licorice, and iron-rich earth, with driving natural acidity, firm chalky tannins, and a long, polished, savory finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, tajarin with wild boar ragù, braised beef short ribs, roasted venison, mushroom risotto, or aged Castelmagno cheese
The Producer
Paolo Conterno is a historic, family-owned estate founded in 1886 by Paolo Conterno in the famed Ginestra vineyard area of Monforte d’Alba, Barolo. Today, the estate is managed by Giorgio Conterno, representing the fourth generation of winemakers dedicated to capturing the power and elegance of Nebbiolo. Farming steep, high-altitude vineyards rooted in nutrient-poor Helvetian sandstone and clay-marl soils, the estate works with deep respect for the land. In the cellar, Giorgio follows classic Barolo traditions: long skin macerations, spontaneous wild-yeast fermentations in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, and extended aging in large neutral French oak casks (botti) to allow the pure terroir and grape tannins to evolve gracefully without aggressive wood masking.
The Wine
"Riva del Bric" (meaning "bank of the hilltop") is crafted primarily from Nebbiolo vines averaging 25 years of age planted on the sun-drenched, mineral-rich slopes of Monforte d’Alba. The hand-harvested fruit undergoes gentle pressing and extended spontaneous maceration to extract intense floral and dark fruit character alongside structural backbone. Aged for 36 months in traditional large oak casks followed by additional bottle rest prior to release, the 2019 vintage delivers a brooding, energetic bouquet of dark berries, blood orange, and sweet leather. Framed by taut, fine-grained tannins and vibrant limestone-driven acidity, it exhibits exceptional depth and longevity.
Region: Piedmont (Monforte d’Alba), Italy
Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo
Body: Full
Notes: Wild black cherry, blue flowers, blood orange, sweet leather, black licorice, and iron-rich earth, with driving natural acidity, firm chalky tannins, and a long, polished, savory finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, tajarin with wild boar ragù, braised beef short ribs, roasted venison, mushroom risotto, or aged Castelmagno cheese
The Producer
Paolo Conterno is a historic, family-owned estate founded in 1886 by Paolo Conterno in the famed Ginestra vineyard area of Monforte d’Alba, Barolo. Today, the estate is managed by Giorgio Conterno, representing the fourth generation of winemakers dedicated to capturing the power and elegance of Nebbiolo. Farming steep, high-altitude vineyards rooted in nutrient-poor Helvetian sandstone and clay-marl soils, the estate works with deep respect for the land. In the cellar, Giorgio follows classic Barolo traditions: long skin macerations, spontaneous wild-yeast fermentations in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, and extended aging in large neutral French oak casks (botti) to allow the pure terroir and grape tannins to evolve gracefully without aggressive wood masking.
The Wine
"Riva del Bric" (meaning "bank of the hilltop") is crafted primarily from Nebbiolo vines averaging 25 years of age planted on the sun-drenched, mineral-rich slopes of Monforte d’Alba. The hand-harvested fruit undergoes gentle pressing and extended spontaneous maceration to extract intense floral and dark fruit character alongside structural backbone. Aged for 36 months in traditional large oak casks followed by additional bottle rest prior to release, the 2019 vintage delivers a brooding, energetic bouquet of dark berries, blood orange, and sweet leather. Framed by taut, fine-grained tannins and vibrant limestone-driven acidity, it exhibits exceptional depth and longevity.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.