Nervi Conterno

In the town of Gattinara, located in the Alto Piemonte region directly at Monte Rosa, you wille find the Nervi-Conterno winery, the oldest winery in the Gattinara DOCG zone. Founded in 1906, it owns some of the most prized vineyards in this appellation, and since 2018 has been under the ownership of Roberto Conterno, the winemaker at the helm of Giacomo Conterno in Barolo, one of Italy’s most famous estates.

History

The winery was founded in 1906 by Italo Nervi and remained in the Nervi family until 1991, when it was sold to a steel magnate named Germano Boccholone. In 2011, it was acquired an Norwegian investorment group led by winelover and collector Erling Astrup. Astrup sought advice on quality matters from his long-time friend Roberto Conterno.

In 2018, the Norwegian group decided to sell the estate and initially offered it to Conterno. He agreed, and the name was changed to Nervi-Conterno. Roberto tries to have the same attention to detail to Gattinara as he does to Giacomo Conterno Barolo, togther with his sons.

Vineyards

The estate covers 28.5 hectares, entirely planted with Nebbiolo across four historic cru: Molsino, Valferana, Garavoli and Casacce. References to the Molsino vineyard can be found in the town archives dating back to 1471, and to Valferana to 1231. The Molsino vineyard forms a natural, south-facing amphitheatre, one of the finest in the whole of Piedmont.

All four crus are situated on steep high-altitude slopes, which define the character of Gattinara.

Terroir

Gattinara differs from the rest of Piedmont in its volcanic soils, a rare layer of volcanic gravel rich in granite, porphyry and iron. This mineral-rich subsoil, combined with the high altitude and significant daily temperature variations, allows for the production of Nebbiolo wines characterised by remarkable structure, minerality and longevity.

Gattinara received DOC status in 1967 and upgraded to DOCG in 1990.

Grape varieties

100% Nebbiolo, known in Alto Piemonte as Spanna. A small amount of Uva Rara is used in the Rosa rosé wine.

Winemaking

The approach is strictly traditional. Harvesting is carried out by hand. Fermentation is extended, the wines are aged in large Slovenian oak barrels for three to four years. Since 2018, Roberto Conterno has invested heavily in the refurbishment of the cellars, including a new bottling line identical to that used at the Giacomo Conterno estate, but the core philosophy of winemaking has remained unchanged: minimal intervention, maximum expression of the terroir.

Wines

The range comprises four wines.

Gattinara is a blend made from grapes from all four crus: Molsino, Valferana, Garavoglie and Casacce, and serves as an introduction to the estate’s range.

Vigna Molsino and Vigna Valferana are two single-vineyard Grand Cru wines, each aged for four years in large oak barrels.

Rosa is a rosé wine made from Nebbiolo and Uva Rara. A Metodo Classico sparkling wine made from Nebbiolo has also been added to the range.