Fratelli Alessandria is a historic and beloved winery in the village of Verduno.  The estate, initially known as Fratelli Dabbene, traces its first commercial wine release back to 1830.  From 1870 on, after a marriage, it has been called Fratelli Alessandria. Today, Gian Battista Alessandria, his wife Flavia, his brother Alessandro, and his son, Vittore, are the 7th and 8th generation of vignaioli at Fratelli Alessandria.  They own 13ha of vines in Verduno and 2ha in Monforte d’Alba (in the cru of Gramolere).

The estate’s vineyards are open and luminous.  Its proximity to the Tanaro river has a mitigating effect, creating a steadier climate compared to other villages. The soils, while from the geological formation of the Laminated Marne di Sant’Agata Fossili, are particularly rich in manganese and magnesium, blue-grey to the naked eye, sparking elegant wines with a floral spiciness that is the village’s signature.  The cru of Monvigliero, Verduno’s most important, and its only cru that faces due south, undoubtedly has world-class personality and a track record for aging.  Lastly, any discussion of Verduno would be incomplete without the mention of Pelaverga Piccolo, a grape variety which is exclusive to the village and makes semi-aromatic, peppery, light-colored wines that drive Piedmontese wine lovers crazy!

Fratelli Alessandria has been impervious to many of the fads that have swept the Barolo zone over the last couple decades. They’ve preferred to nurture Verduno’s uniqueness through organic farming (uncertified for now), native fermentations with temperature control, and, for the Barolos, long aging in large casks. This humble family and their wines have a clean, confident classicism that make them an undersung, but benchmark, producer.