Barolo Fontanafredda 1968
The 1968 Barolo Fontanafredda is a Denominazione d'Origine Controllata red wine from the prestigious Piedmont region in northwestern Italy. Situated at the foot of the Alps, Piedmont is celebrated for its dramatic, steep hills in the Langhe subregion, where autumn fogs roll in to protect the vineyards. The Barolo area, located southwest of Alba, is closely tied to the Nebbiolo grape, an Italian top variety predominantly grown in Barolo, Barbaresco, and the wider Piedmont region. The 1968 vintage in this area was characterized by weak and rainy conditions.
Fontanafredda boasts a royal heritage, founded in 1858 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy's first king after unification, as a gift to his mistress and eventual wife, Rosa Vercellana, known as 'Bella Rosin'. Their son, Count Emanuele Alberto of Mirafiore, officially established the winery and released the estate's first Barolo label from the 1878 vintage. The property features the historic Villa Reale, the King's former hunting lodge, and buildings adorned with brown and ochre stripes that proudly display the Savoy family colors. In 1931, the estate was acquired by the Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank, which oversaw its development into a highly modern enological complex.
The estate holds a unique position in the Barolo appellation, as the entire Fontanafredda property constitutes its own MGA and monopole-cru, a rare status in an area where most crus are divided among multiple owners. With 120 hectares of vineyards set within a larger 300-hectare estate, it stands as Italy's largest contiguous vineyard. Today, under the modern ownership of Oscar Farinetti and Luca Baffigo, the estate has transitioned into Piedmont's largest certified organic winery. This specific 1968 Barolo was bottled at the origin in the producer's cellars in Serralunga d'Alba, where the wine was aged in traditional Slavonian oak barrels.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Piedmont
Piedmont (which literally means "at the foot of the mountain") is located in northwestern Italy, surrounded by the Alps. It is considered one of the world's absolute most prestigious wine regions. The area is known for small, passionate, family-run wineries and a huge focus on terroir (how the soil and microclimate affect the wine).
Classic characteristics of Piedmont:
The royal wines: This is where the world-famous, complex and expensive red wines Barolo and Barbaresco come from (both made from 100% Nebbiolo).
Everyday heroes: In addition to Nebbiolo, the region is famous for the grapes Barbera (juicy, acidic and incredibly popular) and Dolcetto (dark, soft and fruity).
The white and sweet: Piedmont also makes the crisp white wine Gavi and the famous, lightly sparkling dessert bubbles Moscato d'Asti.
The landscape: Dramatic, steep hills – especially in the Langhe sub-area. The hills are often shrouded in thick morning mist in autumn, which protects the grapes and allows for a long, perfect ripening.
Gastronomy: An absolute mecca for food lovers. The area is world famous for the exclusive white truffles from Alba, hazelnuts and rich, simmered dishes that scream with a glass of local red wine.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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How it handles
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Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
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