Our winery is based at Cascina Sciulun, a historic Piedmont farmhouse built in the mid 19th century.
The early beginning
In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, is Cascina Sciulun, a typical historic farmhouse, constructed according to Piedmont architectural traditions. Built in the mid-nineteenth century and extended in the 1940s, the house has always belonged to the Conterno family.
The company Franco Conterno has deep roots, and has been a part of the family for many decades. It was nonno Pietro who allocated 18 hectares of land to Nebbiolo vineyards, initially to sell to other wineries for vinification, later destined for the creation of prestigious wines.
Today
The business passed to his son Giacomo, and then to his grandson Franco, who took the helm of the winery in 1995 with his wife Vilma, bringing his own name and identity to the company.
In recent years, Franco’s two sons—Daniele and Andrea—joined the company, following in the footsteps of their grandfather, bringing fresh insight and innovation to the winery and vineyards, continuing the family business with passion and dedication.
Cascina Sciulun now includes a farmhouse where you can come and stay, for a relaxing visit immersed in the peace and tranquility of the green hills of the Langhe.
the nature of the land:
Franco Conterno comprises 28 hectares of vineyards, located in the territories of Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Novello and Madonna di Como.
The labels bear the names of the most prestigious vineyards: Bussia and Panerole. The hectares of land are dedicated to the cultivation of Lampia and Michet Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Merlot, Freisa and Chardonnay.
As always, our growing techniques are specially chosen to bring together respect for the environment and agricultural work, as required by the Regional Rural Development Plan to which Franco Conterno first subscribed in 1996. All this is possible thanks to the extraordinary nature of the soil, made up of sand, silt and clay. The elevation above sea level ranges from 250 to 400 metres.
The soil, the extraordinary microclimate, and the excellent south/south-west exposure allow for the creation of wines with unique and valuable characteristics.
working in the vineyard
Our cultivation techniques combine modern technology with tradition and respect for the environment.
Work in the vineyard is a constant cycle made up of many different phases. It begins in the autumn with the aeration of the soil in alternate rows, followed by the sowing of green manure: broad beans, field beans, barley, wheat and oilseed rape. No herbicides are required, thanks to our under-vine mowing technique. Between rows the grass is cut and plant protection treatments are applied, making use of the valuable properties of copper and sulphur. Fertilisation takes place in rotation, with the use of animal manure only.
Each hectare requires 630 hours of manual work per year; from Guyot pruning to green pruning, and finally thinning, to allow for successful ripening.
the voice of nature
From 2015, Franco Conterno has been a certified organic company, dedicated to a production philosophy based on natural vineyard cultivation and a completely wholesome vinification process.
The vines are grown without the aid of synthetic chemicals (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, pesticides in general) and genetically modified organisms, while in the cellar, vinification is carried out using exclusively oenological products and processes that are approved under European Regulation 203/2012. This philosophy allows all the flavours, scents, and character of the Langhe — a land cultivated with passion and wisdom — to appear in our wines, echoing the voice of nature.
We are committed to a philosophy of organic production for the cultivation of our land.
The total devotion we pour into our wines allows lovers of great and noble Piedmont wines to enjoy a truly top quality product.
Franco Conterno produces 120 to 150 thousand bottles every year, most of which are destined for ageing.
Four of our wines are proud to display D.O.C.G. labels—Barolo Pietrin, Barolo Panerole, Barolo Riserva Bussia and Barolo Riserva Sette7anni — while our D.O.C. wines are the Barbera d’Alba Superiore, Dolcetto d’Alba, Langhe Nebbiolo, Langhe Rosso, Langhe Bianco, Langhe Nascetta, Langhe Freisa and Langhe Chardonnay.
The alcohol content of all our wines varies from 12.50 to 15% Vol.
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