COSTIGLIOLE D'ASTI: THE EMANUELE GAMBINO WINE CELLAR INAUGURATED WITH THE MONVÌ WINE RELAIS

That of Emanuele Gambino , 41 years old, is a choice to return to the land: today he too is a winemaker like his grandparents were. We are in Costigliole d'Asti, between the Langhe and Monferrato, hills that UNESCO recognized as a World Heritage Site in 2014. Emanuele was born here, territories and places in which he has his deep roots and whose landscapes, people and traditions he loves. A dream of his has come true: a new cellar where he can make wine from his grapes and a wine relais among the vineyards to provide wine tourism hospitality.

The winery and Monvì Wine Relais were inaugurated yesterday with a big party in the company: at the ribbon cutting next to Emanuele, his wife Silvia, mother Patrizia Robino, father Gianni, the vice president of the Piedmont Region Fabio Carosso, the regional councilor for Health Luigi Icardi and the mayor of Costigliole Enrico Cavallero with his councillors.

«I personally produce and vinify my grapes with passion and love – says the entrepreneur – with a careful eye on the quality, sustainability and authenticity of my products. Thanks to my grandparents who were winemakers, since my childhood I have experienced the atmosphere of peasant life, developing a passion for the land and for simple things. These elements then led me as an adult, after a radical change in my working life, to follow their example."

A choice made in 2011, the year in which Emanuele, after a degree in Law, began working as a winemaker and subsequently, in 2016 when he began the dream of building his own farm in Costigliole d'Asti where he could produce and vinify his grapes. A dream that has become reality today.

THE BUTTERFLY, ORGANIC AGRICULTURE AND RESPECT FOR THE EARTH

A butterfly flying on a vine with deep roots: it is the symbolic image chosen to convey the company's philosophy. It represents the care taken in creating a product of the highest quality, genuine and sincere, respecting the consumer and the environment.

«From my first steps as a winemaker, I decided to convert my company to organic farming - explains Gambino - It is not a choice linked to profitability, but exclusively a choice of respect for the environment, for the land and for the people who live my reality and who consume my products."

The vineyards are worked according to the dictates of organic farming without the use of synthetic products and herbicides, favoring biodiversity and natural balance.

This philosophy and this regime were then subsequently implemented in the cellar and in the production of wines.

THE VINEYARDS, VITICULTURE ON THE UNESCO HILLS

The vineyards of the Emanuele Gambino farm are located between the Langhe and Monferrato, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, in one of the most suitable areas for wine production. Costigliole d'Asti is one of the homelands of Barbera d'Asti, while Santo Stefano Belbo has always been the homeland of Moscato d'Asti.

There are approximately 13 hectares between the two estates of Costigliole d'Asti and Santo Stefano Belbo, where they are cultivated with native varieties - barbera, nebbiolo, grignolino, nebbiolo, moscato - and international varieties - sauvignon, merlot, chardonnay. From a historic vineyard of over 40 years old, a Nizza docg will be born from the 2024 harvest. Emanuele personally follows and looks after the vineyards under organic farming.

PIANSREJ ESTATE IN SANTO STEFANO BELBO

“An Piansrej” is the toponym of the place where the Gambino family estate was born, which produces Moscato and Nebbiolo grapes. The farmhouse is located in the splendid amphitheater of Cesare Pavese's Langhe hills. We are under the historic medieval tower of Santo Stefano Belbo and in front of the Moncucco hill, made famous by Pavese's poem, "The South Seas".

Purchased by the family in 2010, it was the subject of a profound renovation in 2012, through the replanting of the vineyards, favoring the Canelli white Moscato variety. It was later converted to organic farming, obtaining the relevant certification in 2019.

Here Emanuele produces Moscato grapes which, since 2020, have also been used to make the dry Moscato Mò Frem®.

ESTATE SAN MARTINO IN COSTIGLIOLE D'ASTI

San Martino is the name of the hamlet of the municipality of Costigliole d'Asti where the farm is located. The ancient farmhouse that houses the cellar and the vineyards are positioned on a ridge that on one side dominates the Tanaro valley with its beautiful castles, and at the same time appears to be set in an amphitheater of rare beauty, dotted with small churches and bell towers between the vineyards and rolling hills of the lower Monferrato area of Asti.

«It is not uncommon to enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Alps, a breathtaking spectacle» underlines Emanuele.

Purchased in 2016, the estate has undergone a profound renovation, through the partial replanting of the vineyards. It now has around 8 hectares of vineyards with native varieties such as Barbera, Nebbiolo and Grignolino, and with international varieties such as Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. We are 270 meters above sea level and the soils are mostly composed of clay and limestone.

The vineyards are currently in conversion: organic certification will arrive with the 2024 harvest.

THE CELLAR, FROM THE OAK BARRELS TO THE TERRACOTTA AMPHORAS

The cellar was built in the ancient farmhouse of Costigliole d'Asti, recently renovated, and can count on cutting-edge equipment.

Assisted by the oenologist Claudio Dacasto and the agronomist Roberto Abate, Emanuele creates small niche productions with attention to tradition and the link with his territory, with high attention to detail.

The winemaking activity takes place in steel tanks. The refinements are carried out in oak barrels and tonneaux and in terracotta amphorae.

MONV Ì WINE RELAIS, AN EXPERIENCE OF LUXURY AND WELL-BEING

The Monvì Wine Relais is the other soul of the Costigliole d'Asti farm. Born from the experience developed in other structures in Monferrato, Monvì embodies the art of welcoming in its DNA. A charming residence with eight rooms and two apartments with elegant, refined and spacious environments, with attention to every detail. The offer is completed by a panoramic swimming pool immersed in the greenery of the Monferrato hills and surrounded by vineyards, and a wellness area with hydromassage pool, Turkish bath, sauna and emotional shower. Info: www.monvirelais.com

COMPANY DATA SHEET

YEAR OF FOUNDATION: 2011

OWNER: Emanuele Gambino

AGRONOMICAL CONSULTANCY: Roberto Abate

WINE CONSULTANCY: Claudio Dacasto

TERRITORY

REGION: Piedmont, Langhe and Monferrato

APPELLATIONS: Barbera d'Asti DOCG, Piemonte DOC

HECTARES OF VINEYARD: 13, of which 4 and a half hectares cultivated with Barbera

WINES

DOCG: Barbera d'Asti, Barbera d'Asti Superiore, Nizza

DOC: Piedmont Merlot, Piedmont Sauvignon, Langhe Nebbiolo

Mò Frem Organic Still White Wine (100% dry vinified white muscat grapes) in steel version and in terracotta amphora version

CERTIFICATIONS

Vineyards of the An Piansrej estate in Santo Stefano Belbo: from the 2019 harvest they are certified organic

Vineyards of the San Martino estate in Costigliole d'Asti: currently under conversion. From the 2024 harvest they will be certified organic

AFFILIATIONS

Consortium of Barbera d'Asti and Monferrato Wines, Consortium of Piedmont Wines, Association of Organic Producers, Association of Noi di Costigliole producers, Fivi Italian Federation of Independent Winemakers

PRODUCTION

25 thousand bottles (with a potential of 70 thousand)

EXPORT

30% total: Holland, Denmark and Switzerland