Gustava

Gustava sits directly below the iconic Grinzane Cavour Castle in the commune of Grinzane Cavour, one of eleven communes permitted to produce Barolo DOCG. The vineyard spans 3.5 hectares across a wide elevation range of 170 to 540 meters, with a south-facing aspect that maximizes sun exposure for Nebbiolo ripening. The site is sheltered from prevailing winds and benefits from a dual climatic influence: cool Alpine currents from the north and warm, humid air rising from the Tanaro Valley below. Soils are calcareous-clay of Tortonian marl composition, the same geological signature that defines the eastern side of the Barolo zone and contributes to wines with firm structure and considerable aging potential.

• South-facing slope with elevation range of 170 to 540 meters
• Tortonian marl soils, calcareous-clay in composition
• Sheltered microclimate with Alpine and Tanaro Valley influences
• Situated within Grinzane Cavour, a Barolo DOCG MGA commune

The Gustava vineyard is inseparable from the story of Grinzane Cavour Castle, a landmark that dominates the skyline of this part of the Langhe. Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, the statesman who became Italy's first Prime Minister and a driving force behind Italian unification, once owned and managed this estate. His connection to viticulture was not merely symbolic; Cavour was genuinely engaged in the agricultural affairs of the property. The castle today is a museum and enoteca, and the vineyard beneath it carries that same sense of living history. In 2019, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Cuneo took ownership of Gustava, bringing institutional stewardship to a site of considerable cultural and viticultural significance.

• Once the property of Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, Italy's first Prime Minister
• Grinzane Cavour Castle above the vineyard is now a museum and regional enoteca
• Fondazione CRC assumed ownership in 2019
• Also known as Vigna Gustava or Cascina Gustava in historical references

Gustava has taken on a dual role as both a producing Barolo MGA and an active educational site. The Alba Wine School uses the vineyard for on-site training, giving students direct exposure to Nebbiolo viticulture in a genuine Barolo context. The vineyard also sits at the center of the Barolo en Primeur project, a charity auction initiative launched in 2021. This program draws on the prestige of the Grinzane Cavour location and the historical resonance of the estate to generate funds for charitable causes, while simultaneously raising the profile of Gustava as a named MGA among collectors and trade professionals. Notable producer Pio Cesare has been associated with the vineyard.

• Alba Wine School conducts on-site viticultural training at Gustava
• Barolo en Primeur charity auction launched in 2021, centered on this vineyard
• Pio Cesare is among the notable producers connected to the site
• The dual educational and commercial role reflects Fondazione CRC's broader mission

Gustava produces Barolo DOCG from Nebbiolo grown across 3.5 hectares, with the most prized fruit coming from 1.5 hectares of old vines. The Tortonian marl soils and south-facing exposure produce Nebbiolo with the hallmark characteristics of this geological zone: pronounced tannins, firm acidity, and the structural backbone necessary for long aging. The protected microclimate, moderated by both Alpine currents and warm Tanaro Valley air, supports consistent ripening without sacrificing the aromatic complexity that defines great Barolo. Wines from Grinzane Cavour and similar Tortonian sites typically show dark fruit, dried rose, tar, and earthy mineral notes alongside the grape's signature tannic grip.