La Spinetta

La Spinetta was founded in 1977 by Giuseppe 'Pin' and Lidia Rivetti in Castagnole delle Lanze, in the heart of Piedmont. The name translates to 'Top of the Hill,' a fitting description for an estate that would rise to the summit of Italian winemaking. The estate initially focused on Moscato d'Asti, producing its first red wine, Barbera Cà di Pian, in 1985. The Rivetti family then pioneered a Barbera/Nebbiolo blend called 'Pin' in 1989, entered Barolo production in 2000, expanded to Tuscany in 2001, acquired the historic Contratto winery in Canelli in 2011, and added Timorasso from the Tortona region in 2018.

• Founded 1977 in Castagnole delle Lanze, Piedmont
• First red wine produced in 1985; the Nebbiolo/Barbera blend 'Pin' followed in 1989
• Barolo production began in 2000; Tuscan expansion in 2001
• Contratto winery in Canelli acquired in 2011

La Spinetta farms over 165 hectares across Piedmont and Tuscany. In Barbaresco and Barolo, soils are calcareous marl, the classic Langhe foundation for Nebbiolo. Moscato vineyards sit on calcareous and sandy soils, while the Tuscan estate features calcareous soils rich in ocean sediments. The Barbaresco Valeirano vineyard sits at approximately 450 meters elevation. Vines are typically 35 to 45 years old, with some Campè parcels reaching 45 to 60 years. The estate operates multiple cellars: the original at Castagnole Lanze, Campè in Grinzane Cavour, Casanova in Tuscany, and Contratto in Canelli.

• Over 165 hectares spanning Piedmont and Tuscany
• Calcareous marl dominates Barbaresco and Barolo vineyard soils
• Barbaresco Valeirano vineyard sits at approximately 450 meters elevation
• Vine age ranges from 35 to 60 years across the estate

Giorgio Rivetti, working alongside brothers Bruno and Carlo, is widely regarded as one of the most innovative winemakers in Piedmont. The estate practices sustainable and biodynamic farming with hand harvesting and no chemical fertilizers. In select vineyard locations, horses replace tractors for soil work. La Spinetta was the first producer in Italy to bottle single-vineyard Moscato wines, releasing Bricco Quaglia and Biancospino and reshaping expectations for the appellation. The estate's approachable yet age-worthy style emphasizes ripe fruit and voluptuous character, particularly in its single-vineyard Barbaresco and Barolo bottlings.

• Sustainable and biodynamic farming; no chemical fertilizers used
• Hand harvesting across all vineyards
• Horses used for vineyard work in select locations instead of tractors
• Giorgio Rivetti considered one of Piedmont's leading and most innovative winemakers

La Spinetta has earned the Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri award for more than 30 individual wines, an exceptional record for any single producer. The estate produces approximately 450,000 bottles annually in Piedmont and 200,000 in Tuscany. Grapes grown include Nebbiolo, Barbera, Moscato, Sangiovese, Vermentino, Colorino, Timorasso, and Chardonnay, spread across appellations including Barbaresco DOCG, Barolo DOCG, Moscato d'Asti DOCG, and Barbera d'Asti DOCG, alongside Tuscan IGT wines. The distinctive rhinoceros label, drawn from an Albrecht Dürer woodcut, has become one of the most recognizable images in Italian fine wine.

• Tre Bicchieri recognition for more than 30 wines
• Approximately 650,000 bottles produced annually across Piedmont and Tuscany
• Wines span Barbaresco DOCG, Barolo DOCG, Moscato d'Asti DOCG, Barbera d'Asti DOCG, and Tuscan IGT
• Rhinoceros label inspired by Albrecht Dürer's famous 1515 woodcut