Before 1894 in Barbaresco, Nebbiolo grapes were sold to make Barolo wine, or simply labeled “Nebbiolo di Barbaresco.” In 1894, Domizio Cavazza, headmaster of the Royal Enological School of Alba and a Barbaresco resident, created the first cooperative called the “Cantine Sociali”. He gathered together nine Barbaresco vineyard owners to make wine at his estate. Recognizing the difference of the Nebbiolo from Barbaresco and that of Barolo, he set out to create a Barbaresco Nebbiolo, thus Barbaresco was born. Sadly, the Cantine Sociali were closed in the 1930’s.

It was not until 1958 when the priest of the village of Barbaresco recognized that the only way the small properties could survive was by joining their efforts. He gathered together nineteen small growers and so founded the Produttori del Barbaresco. The first three vintages were made in the church basement until a winery was built across the square of the church. The Produttori winery is still located there today.

Since then, the small growers continued growing Nebbiolo for the production of only Barbaresco at the winery in the town square. The proud past of Barbaresco and the dedication of its creators have made the Produttori one of the great producers of the region.

The Wines
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The Winery
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Situated in Piedmont, Italy

The Produttori del Barbaresco, founded in 1958, now has 51 members and controls more than 100 hectares (250 acres) of premium Nebbiolo vineyards in Barbaresco. Each family is in full control of its land, growing Nebbiolo grapes with centuries old skill and dedication. The winery produces a Barbaresco D.O.C.G., a blend of Nebbiolo grapes harvested from different vineyards and a younger, fresher Nebbiolo Langhe, suited for early consumption.

In great vintages, nine single-vineyard Barbarescos are produced from nine classic, premium sites situated around the Barbaresco village boundaries: Asili, Rabajà, Pora, Montestefano, Ovello, Pajè, Montefico, Muncagota, and Rio Sordo. These are the geographical names of sites where Nebbiolo grapes have always been cultivated.

The Produttori del Barbaresco, which vinify only Nebbiolo grapes, produce around 550,000 bottles (45,000 cases) per year. In a good vintage they are divided among Barbaresco (50%), single vineyard Barbarescos (30%) and Nebbiolo Langhe (20%).

The People
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Day by day, year after year, generation after generation, fifty four families tend their precious vineyards in order to produce the best possible Nebbiolo grapes. The result of their work is delivered to the winery, which was built by the original Produttori in 1958. Here the Nebbiolo grapes are checked with care and graded for their final destination to become Barbaresco or declassified to Nebbiolo Langhe. During optimal vintages, the grapes are separated into their individual vineyard designation and vinified under the single vineyard Riserva label.

The winery operation is managed and overseen by Aldo Vacca, who has been at the helm for 30 years.  His great expertise and careful attention to detail has made the Produttori the most respected and highly classified cooperative in the world. Each glass of Barbaresco exemplifies the extraordinary tradition of the men and women from this special and unique land.