The Francia<\/strong> cru is the historic cornerstone of the Giacomo Conterno estate and stands as its benchmark Barolo before the legendary Monfortino Riserva. Acquired in 1974 by Giovanni Conterno, the vineyard known as Cascina Francia<\/em> has long represented the family\u2019s most faithful and uncompromising expression of classic Barolo.<\/p>\n Cascina Francia lies in the commune of Serralunga d\u2019Alba<\/strong>, perfectly positioned on southwest-facing slopes that ensure excellent drainage and ideal sun exposure. The vineyard rises to around 400 meters above sea level<\/strong>, an elevation that promotes significant day-night temperature variation \u2014 a key factor in preserving the Nebbiolo\u2019s freshness, tension, and aromatic precision.<\/p>\n The terrain\u2019s natural slope and orientation create a microclimate that tempers excess heat: cool nights enhance acidity and fragrance, while warm, clear days guarantee full ripeness of the fruit.<\/p>\n The soils of Francia are dominated by limestone and marl<\/strong>, rich in minerals that provide a strong structural backbone \u2014 the source of the vineyard\u2019s renowned depth, power, and longevity. Clay and silt layers add balance, retaining just enough moisture to support steady vine growth while maintaining concentration and energy in the fruit. The result is a Barolo of both strength and elegance, firm yet refined, with the capacity to age gracefully for decades.<\/p>\n Francia is the beating heart of the Conterno identity \u2014 the purest representation of the estate\u2019s traditional approach to Nebbiolo. It embodies the classic Serralunga style: powerful, tannic, and complex, yet always marked by tension and clarity. In exceptional vintages, a portion of the Francia grapes contributes to the base of Monfortino<\/strong>, underlining the deep connection between the two wines.<\/p>\n For Giacomo Conterno, Francia remains the definitive expression of balance between might and finesse \u2014 a wine that captures the soul of the Langhe in its most timeless form.<\/p>\n The Giacomo Conterno<\/strong> winery, based in Monforte d\u2019Alba, is widely regarded as one of Italy\u2019s greatest and most respected wine estates. The Conterno family\u2019s roots in viticulture date back to the 19th century, but the modern era began in 1900, when Giacomo Conterno first bottled wines under his own name \u2014 a bold move in an age when most Barolo was still sold in bulk.<\/p>\n Through the decades, the estate has remained devoted to tradition: long macerations, spontaneous fermentations, aging exclusively in large Slavonian oak casks, and an unhurried approach that allows each wine to mature at its natural pace.<\/p>\n A turning point came in 1974<\/strong>, when Giovanni Conterno<\/strong> purchased the Cascina Francia vineyard in Serralunga d\u2019Alba. This acquisition marked the beginning of an era of total control over vineyard sources, setting a new standard for estate-grown Barolo. Over time, the estate expanded to include additional crus \u2014 Cerretta<\/strong> and later Arione<\/strong> \u2014 deepening its exploration of Serralunga\u2019s terroir.<\/p>\n Today, Roberto Conterno<\/strong> carries the family legacy forward with extraordinary precision and integrity. His approach unites traditional craftsmanship with modern rigor, characterized by meticulous vineyard management, low yields, and a relentless pursuit of purity and expression in every bottle.<\/p>\n Among the estate\u2019s most iconic wines are Monfortino<\/strong>, the legendary Riserva symbolizing the pinnacle of the Conterno vision, and the cru Barolos \u2014 Francia<\/strong>, Arione<\/strong>, and Cerretta<\/strong> \u2014 each reflecting a distinct face of Serralunga\u2019s unique landscape.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The \u201cFrancia\u201d Cru: Terroir and Specificity The Francia cru is the historic cornerstone of the Giacomo Conterno estate and stands […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":5370,"template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[1812,1817],"product_tag":[2333,2528,2254],"class_list":{"0":"post-13055","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-drink","7":"product_cat-red","8":"product_tag-barolo-en","9":"product_tag-giacomo-conterno-en","10":"product_tag-vini-pregiati-e-rari-en","11":"pa_categorie-speciali-vini-pregiati-e-rari-en","12":"pa_produttore-giacomo-conterno-en","14":"first","15":"instock","16":"shipping-taxable","17":"purchasable","18":"product-type-simple"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/casaporciatti.it\/shop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/13055","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/casaporciatti.it\/shop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/casaporciatti.it\/shop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casaporciatti.it\/shop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5370"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/casaporciatti.it\/shop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casaporciatti.it\/shop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=13055"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casaporciatti.it\/shop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=13055"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casaporciatti.it\/shop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=13055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Location and Exposure<\/h3>\n
Soil and Geological Structure<\/h3>\n
Role within the Estate<\/h3>\n
\nThe Producer: Giacomo Conterno<\/h2>\n