Produttori di Carema, Cantina
Summary
Cantina Produttori di Carema is a cooperative winery founded in 1960 that unites 80 growers tending 16 hectares of steep, terraced vineyards in northern Piedmont, producing alpine Nebbiolo wines from high-elevation granite slopes with mineral-rich morainic soils. Their preservation of the traditional topie pergola training system and commitment to aging in large Slavonian oak casks rather than small barriques maintains the delicate, floral character that distinguishes Carema's mountain-grown Nebbiolo from its more powerful Piedmontese counterparts.
Heritage & Leadership
Cantina Produttori di Carema was established in 1960 as a cooperative winery in the small mountain village of Carema, located in the northernmost reaches of Piedmont near the Valle d'Aosta border. The cooperative was formed by local vineyard owners to preserve the traditional viticulture of this challenging alpine region. Today, the cooperative represents approximately 80 grower-members who collectively maintain the historic terraced vineyards of the area. The organization operates under a standard cooperative structure with an elected president and board who oversee operations, while day-to-day winemaking is handled by a technical team dedicated to expressing the distinctive character of Carema's mountain Nebbiolo.
Vineyards & Wines
The cooperative manages approximately 16 hectares of vineyards situated on steep granite slopes at elevations between 350 and 700 meters above sea level. These vineyards are characterized by their distinctive pergola training system known locally as "topie," where vines are trained on stone and granite pillars connected by horizontal supports. This traditional system maximizes sun exposure in the cool alpine climate while allowing air circulation to prevent disease. The vineyards are planted predominantly with Nebbiolo (locally called "Picotendro"), which comprises at least 85% of plantings as required by the Carema DOC regulations, with small amounts of other indigenous varieties permitted to complete the blend.
The soils are primarily composed of morainic material with high mineral content derived from the granite bedrock, providing excellent drainage on the terraced slopes. Many of the cooperative's vineyards contain vines exceeding 50 years of age, with some parcels featuring vines over 70 years old. The primary wine produced is Carema DOC, available in both standard and Riserva versions, with the latter receiving extended aging. The cooperative also produces a limited amount of Nebbiolo-based rosé from the same vineyards.
Philosophy & Practice
The cooperative's approach centers on preserving the viticultural heritage of Carema while producing wines that reflect the alpine character of this unique terroir. Harvesting is conducted entirely by hand due to the steep, terraced nature of the vineyards. In the cellar, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by aging that adheres strictly to the Carema DOC regulations.
For their standard Carema, the wine ages for a minimum of 24 months with at least 12 months in wood, while the Riserva undergoes a minimum of 36 months of aging with at least 24 months in wood. The cooperative primarily uses large Slavonian oak casks rather than small barriques to preserve the delicate alpine character of their Nebbiolo. Minimal intervention during vinification allows the distinctive mineral qualities and floral notes typical of high-altitude Nebbiolo to express themselves. The cooperative's commitment to traditional methods extends to maintaining the labor-intensive pergola system and hand-built stone terraces that have defined Carema's viticultural landscape for centuries, preserving both the cultural heritage and the distinctive wine style of this alpine region.