Born in 1858 from the estate of King Vittorio Emanuele II, Fontanafredda is the largest contiguous wine estate in the Langhe, farming certified-organic vineyards in Serralunga d'Alba.
Signature wines: barolo-serralunga-dalba, barolo-vigna-la-rosa, alta-langa-contessa-rosa
Address: Via Alba 15, 12050 Serralunga d'Alba CN, Italy, Piedmont
Rooted in the cellars where the modern Barolo style was shaped under the Falletti marquises, Marchesi di Barolo is the village's most historic house, now run by the Abbona family.
Tasting: Guided tours of the historic cellars and tastings daily, by reservation, opposite the castle of Barolo.
Signature wines: barolo-cannubi-marchesi, barolo-sarmassa, barolo-del-comune-di-barolo
Roberto Voerzio set up on his own in 1986 and became famous for radically low yields and meticulous viticulture, producing concentrated, sought-after single-cru Barolo from La Morra.
Tasting: Small low-yield estate; visits strictly by appointment in La Morra.
Signature wines: barolo-la-serra, barolo-brunate, barolo-cerequio
Rooted in the cellars where the modern Barolo style was shaped under the Falletti marquises, Marchesi di Barolo is the village's most historic house, now run by the Abbona family.
Tasting: Guided tours of the historic cellars and tastings daily, by reservation, opposite the castle of Barolo.
Signature wines: barolo-cannubi-marchesi, barolo-sarmassa, barolo-del-comune-di-barolo
Founded in 1956, Michele Chiarlo is one of Monferrato's leading houses, with holdings across Barbera d'Asti, Nizza, Gavi and Barolo and the La Court vineyard art park near Asti.
Tasting: Tastings at the Calamandrana cellar and the open-air Art Park La Court; visits by reservation.
Signature wines: barbera-dasti-la-court, nizza-cipressi, barolo-cerequio
The Bologna family has made Barbera at Rocchetta Tanaro since 1961. Giacomo Bologna's barrique-aged Bricco dell'Uccellone (first 1982) redefined Barbera as a serious, age-worthy red.
Tasting: Guided tastings and cellar visits at Rocchetta Tanaro, with a wine resort on the estate.
Signature wines: bricco-dell-uccellone, ai-suma, bricco-della-bigotta
The Rivetti family began with Moscato in 1977 and moved into single-vineyard Barbaresco and Barolo, marking its top crus with the rhinoceros label. Known for a polished, modern style.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by reservation at Castagnole delle Lanze, usually mid-morning or afternoon.
Signature wines: barbaresco-vigneto-gallina, barbaresco-vigneto-starderi, barolo-campe
Founded in Canelli in 1892, Coppo is a Monferrato house known for the barrique-aged Pomorosso Barbera and traditional-method sparkling wines, cellaring in UNESCO-listed tufa caves.
Tasting: Guided visits and tastings in the UNESCO-listed underground cathedral cellars beneath Canelli.
Signature wines: pomorosso-barbera-dasti, coppo-riserva-spumante, moncalvina-moscato-dasti
Roberto Voerzio set up on his own in 1986 and became famous for radically low yields and meticulous viticulture, producing concentrated, sought-after single-cru Barolo from La Morra.
Tasting: Small low-yield estate; visits strictly by appointment in La Morra.
Signature wines: barolo-la-serra, barolo-brunate, barolo-cerequio
