Giacomo Conterno GIACOMO CONTERNO Barolo Arione 2021

Description

The Arione Cru: Terroir and Its Specificity

The Arione cru is a relatively recent addition to the Conterno universe. The estate acquired the Arione vineyards around 2015, near the renowned Cascina Francia, expanding its expressive range within the territory of Serralunga d’Alba.

Location and Exposure

Situated along the ridge in Serralunga, Arione is one of the first vineyards encountered when heading northwest through this area. The vines descend along slopes that, in certain sections, face southwest, benefitting from excellent sunlight exposure. The elevation reaches approximately 400 meters above sea level at the vineyard’s highest points.

The topography creates a distinctive microclimate characterized by the diurnal temperature shifts typical of the Piedmontese hills: cool nights preserve freshness and aromatic tension, while warm, sunny days ensure full ripening of the Nebbiolo grapes.

Soil and Geological Structure

The soils of Arione are mixed in composition: not as purely calcareous as other areas of Serralunga, they include significant sandy and clayey components that lend the cru an unusual lightness, delicacy, and finesse for the appellation. In other words, while the mineral framework is clearly present, the balance between structure and grace leans toward a more elegant and refined profile compared to the more robust crus of the area.

Since becoming part of the Conterno estate, Arione has been conceived as a “core” wine—positioned just below Monfortino—intended to express the terroir with clarity and precision, sharing a kinship with the neighboring Francia vineyard. In fact, in certain vintages, a portion of Arione’s grapes is also used in the base blend for the Monfortino Riserva, underscoring the close connection between these two sites.

The goal for Conterno with Arione is to craft a Barolo that combines the typical power and structure of Serralunga with greater finesse and more pronounced aromatic tension, highlighting the internal contrast between strength and grace.

The Producer: Giacomo Conterno

The Giacomo Conterno winery, based in the heart of the Langhe in Monforte d’Alba, has long been regarded as one of the most influential and revered names in Piedmontese winemaking. The Conterno family’s roots in regional viticulture date back to the 19th century, but the modern era began in 1900, when Giacomo Conterno started bottling wines under his own label.

Over the generations, the estate has remained steadfastly traditional in its approach: long fermentations, exclusive use of large Slavonian oak casks for aging, and profound respect for the Nebbiolo grape’s territorial identity.

A pivotal moment came in the 1970s, when in 1974 Giovanni Conterno acquired the Cascina Francia vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba, marking the transition from purchasing grapes to vinifying fruit from estate-owned vineyards. Since then, the property has expanded to include additional crus—first Cerretta, and finally Arione—furthering its commitment to expressing the Langhe’s terroir with precision and depth.

Today, Roberto Conterno leads the winery with the same rigor and passion inherited from his predecessors, combining traditional methods with a modern sensibility and obsessive attention to detail both in the vineyard and in the cellar. The estate philosophy is based on limited production, low yields, manual harvests, and winemaking processes that emphasize the purity and authenticity of Nebbiolo.

Among the estate’s most iconic wines are Monfortino, the legendary riserva embodying the pinnacle of Conterno’s vision, and the cru bottlings Francia, Arione, and Cerretta, each defined by its own distinct and recognizable character.