The Gaja family has made wine in Barbaresco since 1859. Angelo Gaja modernised the estate from the 1960s and pushed single-vineyard Nebbiolo onto the world stage; the house now also farms in Barolo and beyond.
Signature wines: sori-san-lorenzo, sori-tildin, barbaresco-gaja
Address: Via Torino 18, 12050 Barbaresco CN, Italy, Piedmont
Founded in 1908, Giacomo Conterno is the standard-bearer of traditional Barolo, famous for the Monfortino Riserva from the Cascina Francia and Arione vineyards in Serralunga. Now led by Roberto Conterno.
Tasting: Traditionalist estate behind Barolo Monfortino; visits are limited and by appointment only.
Signature wines: monfortino-barolo-riserva, barolo-cascina-francia
A historic Castiglione Falletto house founded in 1919, known for single-cru Barolo (Rocche di Castiglione, Brunate, Ravera) and artist-label bottlings. Acquired by the Krause family in 2016.
Tasting: Guided cellar visits, classic and experience tastings, and a vineyard trekking experience by online booking.
Signature wines: barolo-rocche-di-castiglione, barolo-ravera, barbera-dasti-la-crena
Established in 1972 in Vergne, the highest village in Barolo, the Vaira family farms organically and makes a fragrant, high-toned style led by Barolo Bricco delle Viole alongside a rare Langhe Riesling.
Tasting: Winery visits and tastings on reservation, Monday to Sunday, in the high Vergne hamlet of Barolo.
Signature wines: barolo-bricco-delle-viole, barolo-albe, langhe-riesling-petracine
Founded in 1881 and still cellaring within Alba's ancient Roman walls, Pio Cesare is one of Piedmont's historic houses, making both classic blended Barolo and the single-vineyard Ornato.
Tasting: Tours and tastings by appointment, Monday to Saturday morning, in the historic Alba cellars inside the Roman walls.
Signature wines: barolo-ornato, barolo-pio-cesare, barbaresco-il-bricco
Founded in 1937 and expanded by brothers Bruno and Marcello Ceretto, the house farms organically across Barolo and Barbaresco crus and is known for the Bricco Rocche glass cube and Blange Arneis.
Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the estate near Alba; the family also runs the Michelin-starred Piazza Duomo in Alba and the Acino glass tasting pod at Bricco Rocche.
Signature wines: barolo-bricco-rocche, barbaresco-asili, blange-arneis
Founded in 1921, Paolo Scavino is a modern-classic Castiglione Falletto estate famed for the single-vineyard Bric del Fiasc and a portfolio of Barolo crus across the zone.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings by appointment at Castiglione Falletto.
Signature wines: barolo-bric-del-fiasc, barolo-cannubi, barolo-rocche-dell-annunziata-riserva
