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Elio Altare

La Morra,
Barolo, Piemonte, Italy

About the producer

Slight, good-humored, and self-effacing, Elio Altare has evolved into a patriarchal figure for generations of Barolo producers. Renowned for his bold act of taking a chainsaw to his father's old casks in a moment of desperation, Altare stands as one of the architects of the "modern" school in Barolo. This movement, initiated by a cohort of young growers known as the Barolo Boys in the 1980s, aimed to disrupt Piedmont's traditional establishment and position the region on par with other legendary wine-producing areas. While Altare has crafted remarkable wines for decades, his most enduring legacy may lie in inspiring numerous young growers to embrace estate bottling instead of selling fruit, motivated by Altare's success.

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Altare's vineyards are predominantly located in La Morra, north of the village of Barolo and one of the western communes, the largest in the appellation. The winery gained prominence for its Arborina bottling, a reputation fostered by Elio Altare and a select group of producers. Arborina wines are distinguished by their fruitfulness and freshness rather than their structural austerity. Altare's vineyard holdings expanded in 2011 to include the highly prized Cannubi in the Barolo commune and Cerretta, Vigna Bricco, in Serralunga d'Alba. Currently managed by the capable Silvia Altare, the estate continues Elio's legacy, emphasizing elegance, finesse, and balance. The vineyards adhere to a strict organic regime, and in the cellar, the winemaking approach remains consistent with Elio's traditions, utilizing barriques for aging. Stylistically, the wines are characterized by their emphasis on fruit, freshness, and elegance rather than structure and austerity. Elio Altare has become a classic that should not be overlooked.

In the Vineyard

Organic biodynamic practices

Organic farming practices are utilized (copper, copper sulphate, organic cow manure)

Total area under vine

11 Hectares

Location of vineyards

La Morra, Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba, Roddi, Monforte d’Alba.

Soil details

Various exposures implies various soil, from clay and sand to more limestone.

In the Cellar

Winemaker

Silvia Altare & Tesu Cyo

Fermentation practices

Fermentation in stainless steel and aging in a combination of new and used french barriques.

Yeast utilized

Wild yeasts for all wines (pied de cuve)

Filtration stabilization

No fining, no filtration, natural cold stabilization. No clarification only natural sedimentation.

Fermentation & aging vessels

Fermentation in stainless steel and aging in new and used french barriques

Additional notes

Winemaking style

Elio Altare has become a classic. Daughter Silvia Altare makes the wines pretty much the same way her father always did. Stylistically the wines are distinguished by fruit and freshness and elegance more than structure and austerity.

Wines produced

Dolcetto d’Alba, Barbera d’Alba, Langhe Rosso Larigi, Langhe Rosso Giàrborina, Langhe Rosso La Villa, Barolo, Barolo Arborina, Barolo Cannubi, Barolo Unoperuno, Barolo Riserva Cerretta Vigna Bricco, Vino Rosso L’insieme

Total production

Depending on the vintage, roughly 80.000 bottles

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