Francesco Rinaldi e Figli
Summary
Francesco Rinaldi e Figli is a six-generation family estate in Piedmont's Langhe region, cultivating 10 hectares across prestigious Barolo and Barbaresco sites with blue-grey marl soils, focusing primarily on Nebbiolo-based wines from vineyards averaging 30-60 years of age. Their traditional approach includes manual harvesting, concrete tank fermentation, extended maceration, and aging exclusively in large Slavonian oak casks without filtration, preserving authentic regional character while making measured technical improvements.
Heritage & Leadership
Francesco Rinaldi e Figli traces its origins to 1870, when Giovanni Rinaldi established the winery in the commune of Barolo. The estate split in the 1920s, with Francesco Rinaldi forming his own domain while his brother Giuseppe continued separately. Today, the winery represents one of the oldest continuously family-operated estates in the Langhe region of Piedmont.
The leadership transitioned in the early 1990s to Luciano Rinaldi, who guided the winery until his passing in 2002. Following this, his nieces Paola and Piera Rinaldi assumed direction of the family business, becoming the sixth generation to lead the estate. Paola manages the winemaking operations while Piera oversees administration and commercial aspects. Their stewardship maintains the traditional winemaking methods that have defined Francesco Rinaldi e Figli for generations, while gradually introducing necessary technical improvements to ensure quality and consistency.
Vineyards & Wines
Francesco Rinaldi e Figli maintains approximately 10 hectares of vineyards distributed across several prestigious sites in the Barolo and Barbaresco zones. Their holdings include parcels in the historic Cannubi cru of Barolo, where they own 0.5 hectares of south-facing slopes at 250 meters elevation. Additional Barolo vineyards include plots in Brunate (0.7 hectares) and Le Coste (0.9 hectares). In Barbaresco, the family cultivates vines in the Manzola area.
The estate's vineyards feature the classic blue-grey marl soils of the Langhe, with varying proportions of sand, clay, and limestone depending on the specific site. Nebbiolo comprises 60% of their plantings, with the remainder dedicated to Barbera and Dolcetto. Many of their vines average 30-40 years of age, with some older parcels exceeding 60 years.
The winery produces a focused range of wines, including three single-vineyard Barolos (Cannubi, Brunate, and Le Coste), Barbaresco, Barbera d'Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba, and a Langhe Nebbiolo. Annual production remains modest at approximately 60,000 bottles, allowing for careful attention to each wine.
Philosophy & Practice
Francesco Rinaldi e Figli adheres to traditional Piedmontese winemaking methods. Their approach begins with manual harvesting and careful selection of grapes. For their Barolo wines, fermentation occurs in concrete tanks with extended maceration periods of 15-20 days for Nebbiolo. The winery deliberately avoids temperature-controlled fermentation, allowing natural ambient conditions to guide the process.
Aging takes place exclusively in large Slavonian oak casks (botti) ranging from 25 to 35 hectoliters in capacity. Their Barolo wines mature for a minimum of three years in these vessels, while Barbaresco sees at least two years of cask aging. This extended oak maturation allows for gentle oxidation and development without imparting overt wood flavors.
The winery maintains a non-interventionist philosophy throughout production. They avoid clarification or filtration whenever possible, preferring natural settling and racking to achieve clarity. While not certified organic, their vineyard management minimizes chemical inputs, focusing instead on traditional manual techniques for canopy management and soil health. This measured approach to viticulture and vinification reflects their commitment to expressing the distinctive character of their vineyard sites and the traditional profile of Piedmontese wines.