One of Piedmont’s most historic Barolo producers, Fontanafredda, is touching down in Australia next month thanks to a new distribution agreement with Calabria Family Wine Group’s international portfolio arm, Vintners & Co. Merchants.
Fontanafredda is nestled in the foothills of the Alps that form the Italian border with France and Switzerland. The diverse soils of the property, coupled with the daily temperature variations of the region, allow the label to produce an extensive array of varietals, from powerful Barolo to bring sparkling.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming such a prestigious name in Italian wine to the Vintners & Co. Merchants portfolio. Fontanafredda is synonymous with producing some of Italy’s finest wines, with further recognition by the world’s top critics for the winery’s Barolos,” said third-generation Sales and Marketing Director of the Calabria Family Wine Group, Andrew Calabria.
“As one of Piedmont’s most recognised wine producers, this new partnership presents an exciting opportunity for our team to tap into new sales channels as the thirst for great international wines grows amongst Australian wine drinkers.”
Fontanafredda was founded by the first king of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II, more than 160 years ago in the hills of Le Langhe. He had bought the estate in 1858 as a gift for Rosa, the woman he loved, and purchased the first Barolo vineyard in 1866. The king and Rosa planted their first vineyard together, which is now named Vigna La Rosa and is dedicated to ‘La Bella Rosin.’
The winery has been innovating its winemaking and viticultural practices ever since. In 2015, it began converting all of the estate’s vineyards to organic farming techniques. Then in 2018, Fontanafredda marked its 160th anniversary by commencing its first certified organic vintage harvest. Today the winery has 120 hectares of certified organic vineyards.
The Fontanafredda portfolio will be available in Australia from late June, including its highly rated Barolos and other well known Italian varietals like the Roero Arneis DOCG, Langhe DOC Nebbiolo, Piedmont DOC Dolcetto and Piedmont DOC Barbera.