Mario and Luisa Fontana founded Cascina Fontana in 1995 with four hectares inherited from Mario’s family. As Mario is a sixth-generation winemaker, the decision to continue making profound wines of place was easy. Cascina Fontana is located in Monforte d’Alba in Perno, with vineyards situated in Castiglione Falletto, La Morra, and Sinio. Mario and Luisa are dedicated to the classic grapes of the region—Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, and Barbera.
Mario’s approach to winemaking and viticulture comes from his grandfather. First, he ensures that fruit is always picked in cool temperatures, and is always picked by hand. The grapes determine the length of fermentation and therefore maturation. Dolcetto stays in stainless for maturation, while Barbera and Nebbiolo rest in combinations of large botti and 225-liter barriques for a year. Nebbiolo makes it way to Slavonian oak for two years and spends a third year in cement. All wines spend a minimum of six months in bottle before they are released, unfined and unfiltered.
