Giacomo Fenocchio
Summary
Giacomo Fenocchio is a fifth-generation family winery operating since 1864 in Monforte d'Alba, producing terroir-driven Barolo from 14 hectares across four prestigious crus including Bussia, Villero, Cannubi and Castellero, each with distinctive soil compositions and exposures. Their winemaking adheres to traditional Piedmontese methods, featuring extended 30-day macerations and 30-month aging in large Slavonian oak botti rather than barriques, preserving the authentic expression of Nebbiolo from their old-vine vineyards.
Heritage & Leadership
Giacomo Fenocchio was established in 1864, representing one of the historical wine producers in the Langhe region of Piedmont. The estate, located in Monforte d'Alba, has remained in family hands throughout its existence, with each generation maintaining a commitment to the terroir of Barolo. The winery's namesake, Giacomo Fenocchio, laid the foundation for what would become a significant Barolo producer, though initially on a modest scale.
Today, the estate is directed by Claudio Fenocchio, who represents the fifth generation of family leadership. Claudio assumed responsibility for the winery in 1989, following his father Giacomo's direction. Under Claudio's leadership, the estate has expanded its vineyard holdings while maintaining traditional production methods. His siblings, Albino and Alberto, also contribute to the family business, creating a collaborative family management structure that honors their predecessors while adapting to contemporary challenges.
Vineyards & Wines
Giacomo Fenocchio's vineyard holdings span 14 hectares across several of Barolo's most distinctive growing areas. The estate owns parcels in four significant Barolo crus: Bussia in Monforte d'Alba, Villero in Castiglione Falletto, Cannubi in Barolo, and Castellero in Barolo. This diversity of sites provides the winery with a range of expressions of the Nebbiolo grape.
The Bussia vineyard in Monforte d'Alba represents the estate's historical core, with vines planted in calcareous-clay soils at elevations between 300-400 meters above sea level. These south and southwest-facing slopes provide optimal sun exposure for Nebbiolo ripening. The Cannubi vineyard, one of Barolo's most recognized sites, features sandier soils that produce wines of notable elegance, while the Villero cru in Castiglione Falletto contains higher limestone content, contributing to structured wines with aging potential.
Beyond Nebbiolo for Barolo production, the estate cultivates Dolcetto and Barbera for their respective DOC wines, along with smaller plantings of Freisa and Arneis. Each vineyard is managed according to its specific characteristics, with vine age varying from 20 to over 50 years across the estate.
Philosophy & Practice
Giacomo Fenocchio adheres to traditional winemaking methods while incorporating modern understanding of vineyard management. In the cellar, fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with extended maceration periods for the Barolo wines—typically 30 days—to extract appropriate tannin and color compounds from the Nebbiolo skins.
The aging protocol for Barolo follows classical parameters, with the wines maturing in large Slavonian oak casks (botti) ranging from 25 to 35 hectoliters for 30 months, followed by additional bottle aging before release. This approach preserves the distinctive characteristics of each vineyard site while allowing for proper evolution of the wines.
In the vineyards, the estate practices sustainable viticulture with minimal intervention, focusing on maintaining natural balance in the ecosystem. Harvest is conducted entirely by hand, with careful selection of fruit both in the vineyard and upon arrival at the winery. Each vineyard parcel is vinified separately to preserve its unique expression before final blending decisions are made.
The winery's approach reflects a balance between respect for Barolo tradition and recognition of each vintage's unique character, producing wines that express the specific attributes of their vineyard origins while maintaining consistency in quality and style.