Fontanafredda Nebbiolo: One Grape, Different Nuances - Same Vision: “Nature at the Centre.”
Fontanafredda Nebbiolo: One Grape, Many Nuances — A Tasting from Serralunga d’Alba
This week I tasted through a beautiful selection from Fontanafredda, one of Piemonte’s most historic and forward-thinking wineries. Founded in 1858 in Serralunga d’Alba, Fontanafredda has long been a benchmark for Nebbiolo.
What struck me most was how clearly you can taste the evolution of this noble grape — from Langhe Nebbiolo to Barbaresco to Barolo — all united by a single guiding idea: respect for the land, and nature at the centre.
Langhe Nebbiolo — Pure, Accessible, and Instantly Enjoyable
From the estate: 100 % Nebbiolo grown on the limestone- and marl-rich slopes of Langhe and Roero (250 – 400 m). Fermented 7–8 days at 28 °C, aged a few months in wood and a short time in bottle.
Tasting impression: Bright red cherry, rose petal, gentle spice, and lively acidity. The tannins are soft and polished — a wine made for enjoyment in it’s youth.
Why it costs less: broader vineyard sourcing, higher yields, and shorter ageing.
Why buy it: the ideal gateway to Nebbiolo — all the fragrance and freshness without the wait.
Fontanafredda Langhe 2024 - Nebbiolo 100% -13% - 21.95$ SAQ
Barbaresco — Finesse and Precision
From the estate: Nebbiolo from south- and south-west-facing vineyards at 300 – 400 m, on Tortonian and Helvetian marls rich in limestone. Fermentation lasts 8 – 10 days at 30 °C; ageing for at least one year in oak and six months in bottle.
Tasting impression: riper fruit (almost towards dark berries), violets, dried herbs, and a graceful texture. The tannins are finer, the palate longer and silkier.
Why it costs more: lower yields, longer ageing, and DOCG-level fruit.
Why buy it: the elegant, food-friendly side of Nebbiolo — refined, aromatic, and balanced.
Fontanafredda Barbaresco 2021 - Nebbiolo 100% - 14.5% - 36.50$ SAQ Barolo — Depth and the Soul of Serralunga
From the estate: Nebbiolo on calcareous-marl soils from top Barolo sites. Fermentation 8 – 10 days (30 – 31 °C); ageing two years in large oak casks, plus one year in bottle.
Tasting impression: Tar, roses, forest floor, and spice — with firm, noble tannins and that unmistakable Serralunga depth and power.
Why it costs more: prestigious terroir, stricter ageing laws, and naturally low yields.
Why buy it: for structure, longevity, and complexity — a wine that rewards patience and curiosity.
Fontanafredda Barolo 2021 - Nebbiolo 100% - 14.5% - 34.75$ SAQ 
High-End Barolos — The Expression of Excellence
At the Odyssée event in Montréal, I had the pleasure of tasting two exceptional Barolos alongside Mr. Roberto Bruno, CEO of Fontanafredda.
We began with the Fontanafredda Serralunga d’Alba Barolo 2020 — an organically certified wine made from 100% Nebbiolo (14.5% alc.).
This bottling perfectly embodies the modern face of Barolo: purity of fruit, elegant structure, and that unmistakable mineral depth that Serralunga delivers. It’s vibrant yet serious, approachable now but capable of evolving gracefully — a textbook example of balance between power and finesse.
We then moved to the legendary Vigna La Rosa, a historic single vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba (calcareous marl and clay, 250–310 m altitude).
Old vines, meticulous selection, and extended ageing give this Barolo remarkable depth, polish, and tension — a wine built on patience, precision, and place. For me this wine shows great complexity, fruit oncentration and a long potential to age, showcasing the rosehip, ripe red berries, with earthy/smoky undertones and the tipical rose floral, firm yet ripe and integrated tannis, with a persistent long finish.
Together, these two wines beautifully illustrate Fontanafredda’s ability to combine heritage with innovation: authentic Barolo character expressed through sustainable, thoughtful viticulture.
Fontanafredda Serralunga d'Alba Barolo 2020 BIO - Nebbiolo 100% - 14.5% - 49.75$ SAQ Fontanafredda Barolo Vigna La Rosa 2016 - Nebbiolo 100% - 14.5% - 1.5L - 263.25$ SAQ
The Gavi Wines — Cortese at Its Finest
To balance Nebbiolo’s structure, Fontanafredda crafts an equally impressive Gavi DOCG del Comune di Gavi, made from 100 % Cortese grown on Tortonian marls with sandy veins. Fermentation in stainless steel at cool temperature preserves the grape’s delicate aromatics.
Tasting impression: citrus zest, white flowers, almond, and mineral tension.
A step up in their range brings more texture and subtle ripeness — still crisp, but with an elegant roundness.
Perfect with seafood, antipasti, or as a refreshing counterpoint to Barolo’s intensity.
Fontanafredda Gavi 2024 - Cortese 100% - 12.5% - 18.95$ SAQ Fontanafredda Gavi di Gavi 2023 BIO - Cortese 100% - 13% - 22.75$ SAQThe Green Renaissance — “Making the Earth the Centre of Everything Again”
Fontanafredda’s Green Renaissance is far more than a slogan — it’s a complete transformation in the way they farm, produce, and think about wine.
120 hectares of certified organic vineyards, free of herbicides and synthetic treatments
Solar panels generating over 200 000 kWh/year
LED lighting throughout the estate and EV charging stations for guests
Biomethane-powered tractors and innovative water-reuse systems
A cogeneration and district-heating plant (2022) that reduces emissions while supporting the local village
Recycled-glass bottles and FSC-certified paper labels for responsible packaging
Their mission: “Renewal means putting the Earth back at the centre.”
Final Thoughts
As a wine professional and passionate taster, I’ve always been captivated by Nebbiolo — a grape capable of being both delicate, yet powerful, depending on its terroir and the touch of the producer.
Few varieties reflect their origins so transparently, and even fewer wineries express that journey as authentically as Fontanafredda.
From the vibrant charm of Langhe Nebbiolo through the finesse of Barbaresco, to the structure of Barolo and the timeless grace of Vigna La Rosa, each bottle reveals a unique facet of one truth: nature remains at the heart of it all.
These wines are currently available at the SAQ throughout Québec and represented by Vins Dandurand and I highly recommend exploring them, they are all certified with sustainable practices and some organic/bio.
