Montersino

Montersino sits within San Rocco Seno d'Elvio, a small hamlet administratively tied to Alba but functioning as part of the broader Treiso production zone. The vineyard climbs to around 300 meters elevation and benefits from a south-facing exposure that helps ripen Nebbiolo despite the site's notably cool microclimate. This combination of altitude, aspect, and temperature places Montersino among the more delicate-leaning MGAs in the Barbaresco denomination.

• Elevation: approximately 300 meters
• Aspect: south-facing
• Administrative zone: San Rocco Seno d'Elvio, bordering Treiso
• Classified under Barbaresco DOCG as an MGA

The soils at Montersino are a layered mix of calcareous clay, sandy deposits, and sandstone. This composition encourages good drainage while retaining enough moisture for Nebbiolo to develop its aromatic complexity. The sandstone and sandy layers contribute to the site's lighter, more perfumed wine profile, contrasting with the heavier clay-dominant soils found in parts of the Barbaresco and Neive communes. The calcareous component supports the variety's characteristic high acidity and tannin structure.

• Calcareous clay provides structure and acidity
• Sandy layers promote drainage and lighter, more aromatic expression
• Sandstone contributes to the site's delicate wine profile

The Montersino site carries significant historical weight. A church dedicated to St. Alexander predates even the medieval convent that was founded on the hillside around 1000 AD. This religious heritage reflects the long-standing agricultural importance of these slopes in the Langhe. In modern viticulture, Orlando Abrigo planted their vineyard here in 1970, while San Biagio completely replanted their holding in 2001. Albino Rocca marked a key milestone for the MGA's identity when they released the first single-vineyard bottling under the Montersino name with the 2012 vintage.

• Medieval convent established around 1000 AD on the site
• Church dedicated to St. Alexander predates the convent
• Orlando Abrigo vineyard planted in 1970
• San Biagio completely replanted their parcel in 2001
• Albino Rocca debuted a dedicated Montersino bottling with the 2012 vintage

Montersino produces Nebbiolo in an elegant, floral register. The cool site and sandy soil components direct the wine toward red fruit aromas, violet, and dried rose petal rather than the darker, more structured expressions from warmer Barbaresco positions. Tannins are present and firm, as expected from Nebbiolo, but the overall profile leans toward refinement and aromatic lift. These are wines that reward patience but tend to be more approachable at a younger age than Barbaresco from heavier clay sites.

• Floral aromatics: violet, dried rose, red fruit
• Lighter body relative to clay-dominant Barbaresco sites
• Firm but refined tannin structure
• Cool-climate freshness with good acidity

Several producers have established a track record in Montersino. Albino Rocca is the benchmark name for dedicated single-MGA bottlings, having committed to the site since the 2012 vintage. Orlando Abrigo works from vines planted in 1970, giving their wine the complexity of old-vine material. San Biagio, Alessandro Rivetto, and Manuel Marinacci round out the producer list, each offering different perspectives on this cool, elegant terroir.

• Albino Rocca: dedicated MGA bottling from 2012
• Orlando Abrigo: old vines planted 1970
• San Biagio: replanted parcel from 2001
• Also: Alessandro Rivetto, Manuel Marinacci