25 / 126
Monchiero Carbone
Located in Canale, in the heart of the Roero DOCG in Langhe, the Monchiero Carbone winery was
established in 1990 with the goal of reuniting vineyards owned by two branches of a family (Monchiero
and Carbone) with winemaking tradition dating back to 1918. Today it is owned and operated by husband
and wife, Francesco and Lucrezia Monchiero, who specialize in creating Arneis from the best vineyards in
the Roero zone. On the label, as a constant reminder of their family’s history in the area and the traditions
they seek to uphold, the Monchieros have added the phrase (from local dialect) “Ogni uss a l’ha so tanbuss”
– “Every door has its knocker.”
The inspiration behind the Monchiero Carbone winery can be traced back to the generations of both families
who earned their livelihood as vine-growers. On the Monchiero side, maternal grandmother, Clotilde Valente,
used her wedding dowry to purchase the Monbirone vineyard, dedicating her life to harvesting its vines.
In the early 1900s, Enrico Carbone (nicknamed Ricù) married Lucia Gioetti, the beautiful daughter of
wealthy tenant farmer. Known as “the blonde”, Lucia brought with her a dowry that was also used to
purchase land. Ricù immediately planted a vineyard of Arneis on the plot acquired on Tanon hill (Tanùn in
the local dialect), and began to produce a sweet white wine often served on celebratory occasions. While
they are not the only events leading to the creation of Monchiero Carbone, they are the most significant
turning points in the family history.
Cecu d’la Biunda Roero Arneis DOCG
Dedicated to Grandfather Francesco Carbone (better known as “Cecu d’la Biunda or “son of the blond
woman” in the local dialect), grapes for this wine are grown on the soft, limy soils of the hills surrounding
the Vezza Valley. Here the slopes act as a buttress against the Rocche of Canale on the celebrated Renesio
hill (where this particular white variety is said to have once been known as the “white Nebbiolo” in an
effort to underline its quality and importance).
MonBirone Barbera d’Alba DOC
The vineyards for MonBirone Barbera d’Alba lie on a hill of the same name, where temperature variances
between different vintages are mitigated by the vineyard’s 360-degree exposure, ensuring a consistent
quality standard.
Pelisa Barbera d’Alba DOC
“Made from the estate’s younger vineyards, the Pelisa comes from younger vines in the Canale and Priocca
areas within the Roero zone.
WINES OF NORTHERN ITALY
17