Castello di Neive
Italian Pronunciation Guide
A family estate in Barbaresco DOCG producing 18 wines from 27 hectares of named vineyards, with roots tracing to 1750s cellars.
Castello di Neive is a Stupino family estate in Barbaresco DOCG, farming 27 hectares across eight named vineyard sites. The estate produces approximately 12,000 cases annually from nine grape varieties, with the Santo Stefano vineyard serving as its flagship Barbaresco site.
- Founded when Giacomo Stupino purchased the castle in 1964; cellars date to the 1750s
- Owned and operated by siblings Anna, Giulio, Italo, and Piera Stupino
- 27 hectares of vineyards across 8 named sites including Santo Stefano, Gallina, and Basarin
- Produces 18 wines and approximately 12,000 cases annually
- Two production facilities: the historic 1750s castle cellar and a modern technical cellar built in 2012
- Pioneered clonal selection of the Arneis grape beginning in 1978
- Calcareous marl soils with clay elements underpin the estate's Barbaresco vineyards
History and Foundation
The estate's origins stretch back to the 1750s, when the cellars beneath the castle were first constructed. Giacomo Stupino purchased the castle in 1964, establishing the modern era of Castello di Neive. The property spans 150 acres (60 hectares) in total, with 27 hectares devoted to vineyards. Today the estate is run by the Stupino siblings, Anna, Giulio, Italo, and Piera, who continue the family's commitment to traditional winemaking in the Langhe hills of Piedmont.
- Castle cellars built in the 1750s, predating the modern estate by two centuries
- Giacomo Stupino acquired the property in 1964
- Currently managed by four Stupino siblings
- Total estate covers 150 acres, with 27 hectares under vine
Vineyards and Terroir
Castello di Neive farms 27 hectares across eight named vineyard sites within the Barbaresco DOCG and broader Langhe appellation. The named sites include Basarin, Cortini, Gallina, Marcorino, Messoirano-Montebertotto, Santo Stefano, and Valtorta. Soils throughout the estate are calcareous marl with clay elements, a classic Langhe composition that supports the development of refined, structured wines. Santo Stefano stands as the estate's flagship Barbaresco vineyard, consistently producing the property's most celebrated bottling.
- Eight named vineyard sites farmed across the estate
- Santo Stefano is the flagship site for Barbaresco production
- Calcareous marl with clay elements characterize estate soils
- Temperate continental climate shapes the growing season
Winemaking Philosophy
Castello di Neive follows a traditional approach to Barbaresco, prioritizing elegance, finesse, and balance over sheer power. The estate operates two production facilities: the historic 1750s cellar within the castle and a modern technical cellar completed in 2012. This combination allows the team to respect traditional methods while applying contemporary precision. The estate emphasizes sustainable practices and terroir expression across its full range of 18 wines produced annually.
- Traditional style focused on elegance and refined tannins rather than extraction
- Historic 1750s cellar used alongside a modern technical facility built in 2012
- Sustainable farming practices applied across the estate
- 18 distinct wines produced each year from nine grape varieties
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Open in the app →Grapes and Innovation
While Nebbiolo anchors the estate's identity through Barbaresco DOCG production, Castello di Neive cultivates a notably diverse range of varieties including Barbera, Dolcetto, Pinot Nero, Arneis, Albarossa, Grignolino, Moscato, and Riesling. The estate played a pioneering role in the revival of Arneis, beginning clonal selection work on the variety in 1978 at a time when Arneis was close to extinction in Piedmont. This work helped establish Arneis as a recognized and commercially viable white grape in the region.
- Nine grape varieties cultivated across the estate
- Nebbiolo is the primary variety for Barbaresco DOCG wines
- Clonal selection of Arneis began in 1978, contributing to the grape's regional revival
- Riesling and Pinot Nero reflect the estate's breadth beyond traditional Piedmontese varieties
Castello di Neive Barbaresco shows aromatic refinement with floral notes, red fruit, tar, and dried rose petal. Tannins are structured but polished, reflecting the calcareous marl soils of the named vineyard sites. The house style emphasizes finesse and balance over power.
- Castello di Neive Dolcetto d'Alba$18-22Approachable entry point to the estate, showing classic Piedmontese Dolcetto with fresh fruit and soft tannins.Find →
- Castello di Neive Barbera d'Alba$25-35Estate-grown Barbera from calcareous marl soils delivering bright acidity and structured red fruit character.Find →
- Castello di Neive Barbaresco Santo Stefano$65-85Flagship single-vineyard Barbaresco from the estate's most celebrated site, built for elegance and long aging.Find →
- Castello di Neive is classified as a Barbaresco DOCG producer in the Langhe hills of Piedmont, also producing wines under the Langhe Piedmont DOC
- The estate farms 27 hectares across 8 named vineyard sites; Santo Stefano is the flagship Barbaresco cru
- Soils are calcareous marl with clay elements, typical of the Barbaresco production zone
- The estate pioneered clonal selection of Arneis beginning in 1978, contributing to the grape's survival and revival in Piedmont
- Two production facilities are in use: historic 1750s castle cellars and a modern technical cellar built in 2012