Like all beautiful things, Fontanafredda was born from a love story—the romance between the first King of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II, and Rosa Vercellana, to whom the future king gifted, in 1858 as a token of his affection, the land where the winery stands today. Rosa, known as “La Bela Rusin,” came from humble origins. She was the daughter of the drum major of the Savoy army, and despite the societal norms of the time, Vittorio defied convention by marrying her and granting her the noble titles of Countess of Mirafiore and Fontanafredda. Together, they had two children: Maria Vittoria and Emanuele Alberto, the latter of whom went on to found the winery and helped elevate the reputation of Barolo worldwide.
From its earliest days, Fontanafredda has stood at the forefront of innovation. In 1886, it became the first winery to export Barolo beyond Italy’s borders. The following year, it introduced the first concrete fermentation tanks in Europe. In 1964, Fontanafredda created the first single-vineyard Barolo, Barolo Vigna La Rosa, and in 1988, it produced the first Barolo with a municipal designation by separately vinifying grapes from the commune of Serralunga d’Alba. In 2006, Fontanafredda was selected as the official wine for the Winter Olympics in Turin, coinciding with the start of its journey toward sustainability.
The true turning point came in 2008 when Oscar Farinetti and Luca Baffigo purchased the estate, bringing it back under Piedmontese ownership after 77 years. The new era of Fontanafredda was guided by three core values: quality, sustainability, and hospitality. In 2009, work began on the restoration of the Fontanafredda Village, which today includes a museum, a cultural foundation, three hotels, and two restaurants. As the estate evolved, recognition followed. In 2012, Barolo La Rosa 2008 was included in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines in the World, and in 2017, Fontanafredda was named European Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast.
In 2020, a new Fontanafredda was born—better and more respectful of the planet. After years of careful reflection on how to create meaningful change, the estate embraced a new perspective. Five centuries after the first Italian Renaissance, Fontanafredda ushered in its own Green Renaissance. In this new age, the focus is on putting the Earth at the center, creating a global community rooted in trust and using wine—green wine—as a medium to build that vision. Sustainability is not just a goal, but a philosophy. Fontanafredda cultivates 120 hectares of certified organic vineyards, and has extended its environmental commitment well beyond the vineyards and cellars.
In the Fontanafredda Village, numerous initiatives have been implemented to reduce environmental impact. In 2022, a cogeneration and district heating plant was completed. Older lighting systems across the estate’s buildings were replaced with LEDs to reduce energy consumption. Solar panels generate over 200,000 kilowatt-hours annually, and electric vehicle charging stations are available on site. The estate also employs electric forklifts and, since the 2021 harvest, its first biomethane-powered tractor, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions in the vineyard. Water is reused and purified through a natural phytopurification system, then collected in the estate’s lake for technical reuse. Every element of the estate’s packaging is designed to be environmentally friendly. The glass is partly recycled and infinitely reusable. Closures are made from either cork or recycled plastic, and more than 70% of paper labels come from responsibly managed forests and are fully recyclable, as are the wooden and cardboard components.
Fontanafredda’s winemaking philosophy seeks to bring out the distinct character of each wine by nurturing the relationship between grape variety, environment, and human interaction. In the vineyard, controlled grassing techniques are employed. Synthetic fertilizers and herbicides are completely avoided, reinforcing the estate’s commitment to a natural and respectful cultivation process.
In line with this new Renaissance, Fontanafredda strives to tell the story of its land—starting with its own MGA (Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva), Fontanafredda, located in the early part of the commune of Serralunga d’Alba. At the heart of this amphitheater of vineyards are four of the estate’s most historic and symbolic plots: Vigna La Rosa, which has been in continuous production for 70 years, Vigna San Pietro, Vigna Bianca, and Vigna Gallareto. Also noteworthy are Vigna La Delizia in the Lazzarito MGA, and Vigna La Villa in the Paiagallo MGA in Barolo—both originally planted under the direction of Emanuele Alberto, the founder and son of King Vittorio Emanuele II.
In the estate’s 19th-century cellars, large oak barrels made from French and Croatian wood (Allier and Slavonia) are used to age Barolo and other great Langhe reds including Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto. Meanwhile, in more modern, state-of-the-art facilities, the estate produces white wines such as Arneis, Gavi, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Moscato, along with sweet sparkling wines made by the Martinotti Method and the elegant Alta Langa produced using the Traditional Method.
Today, Fontanafredda, with its vineyards located in the heart of Italy’s 50th UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to the country’s first Narrating Village. Scattered throughout the estate are 30 short stories that bring the historic village to life again—each plant, building, and view tells a tale to those who visit.
Open every day of the year, the Narrating Village offers guests a journey through the wines of the Langhe—from four-star hospitality to the finest in regional cuisine. Guests can stay in any of the three DCA ESG-certified hotels: Hotel & Spa Cascina Galarej, with panoramic views of the vineyards and its own exclusive restaurant; Hotel Case dei Conti di Mirafiore; and the elegant Foresteria delle Vigne boutique hotel.
Lovers of great food and wine will find their place at the historic Villa Reale, home to the Guidoristorante, where Michelin-starred chef Ugo Alciati and his brother Piero offer a refined culinary experience rooted in tradition, seasonality, and memory. For a more relaxed meal, visitors can enjoy traditional flavors at the Osteria DisGuido, sample wines from Fontanafredda and Casa E. di Mirafiore, or explore curated Italian wines from 101 Vini. The latest addition, inaugurated in 2025, is the Bar Fontana by Ugo Alciati, located in the village square. It offers a unique food and wine experience, celebrating the true flavors of the Langhe. A standout on the menu is the tramezzino, filled with iconic dishes from Guido Ristorante, including vitello tonnato and Russian salad.
The Narrating Village is also a center for culture, events, and meetings, providing opportunities to discover a unique and dynamic world. Within one of the historic buildings sits the E. di Mirafiore Foundation, dedicated to awakening critical thinking and encouraging cultural growth in an engaging and enjoyable setting. Visitors can also explore the estate’s historical wine museum, which takes them on a journey from 1858 to the present day through royal artifacts, historical pieces, and storytelling.
Lastly, there is the “Wood of Thoughts”, one of the last untouched forests in the Lower Langhe, covering 12 hectares and home to over 40,000 plants and century-old trees. The forest offers a 12-stop path for meditation and contemplation—a true “Hymn to Mother Earth”—where silence is encouraged to fully appreciate the beauty of the surroundings.
