Azienda Agricola Cascina Fontana

Cascina Fontana is a small, family-run winery located in the heart of the Langhe region of Piedmont, Italy. The story of this winery is a testament to the enduring power of tradition and a deep respect for the land. It is the story of a sixth-generation winemaker, Mario Fontana, who has dedicated his life to preserving the time-honored practices of his ancestors.

History and Philosophy

The Fontana family has been cultivating grapes and making wine in this area for at least six generations, with roots in the region dating back to the 1600s. The current chapter of the winery began in 1995 when Mario Fontana, along with his wife Luisa, founded Azienda Agricola Cascina Fontana. He inherited a small parcel of land and vineyards and, inspired by the lessons of his grandfather, Saverio, he set out to create wines that were a pure and honest expression of the land.

Mario's winemaking philosophy is firmly rooted in the concept of come una volta—"as in the past." He believes that his role is to intervene as little as possible, allowing the grapes and the terroir to speak for themselves. This means a commitment to traditional methods, including:

• Manual labor: All work in the vineyard is done by hand.

• Organic practices: The winery uses sustainable farming methods, avoiding chemicals and using cow manure as fertilizer.

• Natural fermentation: Wines undergo spontaneous fermentation without the use of commercial yeasts.

• Traditional aging: Barolo wines are aged for a minimum of two years in large, Slavonian oak barrels (botti) and then for another year in cement vats, a traditional practice that helps to add finesse and harmony to the wine.

Mario's approach stands in contrast to some more modern winemaking styles, which often prioritize a faster, more approachable wine. His wines are known for their authenticity and classic character—austere, honest, and complex, much like the men of the Langhe region he so admires.

Vineyards and Wines

The winery owns and works around 5 hectares of vineyards, which are a mosaic of prized parcels in some of the most favored crus of the Barolo zone. These include sites in:

• Castiglione Falletto: The Fontana family's ancestral home, with vineyards in the crus of Villero, Valletti, and Pozzo. This area is known for producing Barolos that are a perfect balance of power and elegance.

• La Morra: With a parcel in the Gallinotto cru, known for producing more aromatic and elegant Nebbiolo.

• Sinio: Home to the historic Vigna del Castello vineyard, which has been in the Fontana family for over a hundred years.

From these carefully tended vineyards, Cascina Fontana produces a small range of classic Langhe wines: Dolcetto d'Alba, Barbera d'Alba, Langhe Nebbiolo, and of course, Barolo. The flagship Barolo is a blend of Nebbiolo grapes from their different vineyard sites, reflecting Mario's belief that a blend creates a more complete and consistent wine that is a true reflection of the entire territory.

Mario Fontana's dedication to his craft and his land has not gone unnoticed. In 2025, he was named "Winemaker of the Year" by the prestigious Italian wine guide, Gambero Rosso, a fitting tribute to a man who embodies the spirit of the Langhe.