Prunotto: A century of excellent winemaking, now under Antinori
The history of the Antinori Prunotto wine brand dates back to 1904 with the formation of a winemaking cooperative, Cantina Sociale "Ai Vini delle Langhe," in Serralunga, Italy. After facing financial difficulties, Alfredo Prunotto and his wife Luigina took over the cooperative in the 1930s and renamed it Prunotto. Their dedication and passion led to the winery's fame, and Prunotto became one of the early exporters of Barolo and Barbaresco to markets such as South America and the United States. In 1956, Alfredo Prunotto retired and sold the company to his friend and winemaker Beppe Colla, who, together with his brother Tino, continued to identify and vinify single-vineyard crus as Barolo Bussia. In 1994, the Antinori family, who had been involved in distribution since 1989, took over production and maintained the high quality standards established by Alfredo Prunotto.
The Prunotto estate owns approximately 74 hectares (183 acres) of vineyards across the Langhe and Monferrato territories, including prime locations such as Bussia (known for its Tortonian soils ideal for Barolo), Costamiòle (in Agliano for Nizza production) and Bric Turot. Careful and attentive vineyard management is a core value at Prunotto, with a focus on promoting sustainable farming and improving manual techniques. Their winemaking philosophy balances tradition and innovation, using state-of-the-art technology to interpret the nuances of this historic winemaking area.
Prunotto produces a range of Barolos, including single vineyard expressions from prestigious crus such as Bussia, Cerretta, Mosconi and Serra. Their Barolo Bussia DOCG comes from the magnificent amphitheater-shaped vineyard in the Bussia area of Monforte d'Alba, which was first produced as a single vineyard wine by Prunotto in 1961. The winemaking for their Barolo Bussia involves maceration on the skins for 8-10 days, followed by aging for at least 18 months with varying caps. This results in a Barolo with an intense ruby red color, a complex nose with notes of red oranges and pink pepper, a full and fruity palate with silky tannins and a persistent finish.
Prunotto's Barolos consistently receive good reviews from wine critics. Their Barolo DOCG typically earns ratings in the high 80s to low 90s from publications like Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator. Their single-vineyard Barolo Bussia has also received similar results, recognized for its lively fruit, silky tannins, and harmonious finish.
A distinctive feature of Prunotto is its long history and evolution from a cooperative to a renowned estate now under the esteemed Antinori family. This transition has allowed Prunotto to maintain its commitment to quality while benefiting from the resources and expertise of one of Italy's most prominent wine families. Prunotto's dedication to both tradition and innovation, together with their first-class vineyards, ensures their continued production of exceptional Barolo that reflects the unique terroir of the Langhe.
