La Spinetta

Supplier/Importer: Indigenous

Region: Piedmont

Appellation: Barbaresco, Langhe, Tuscany

Giorgio Rivetti's magic touch with Moscato, Barbera, Nebbiolo and, more recently, Sangiovese, Colorino, Vermentino and Sangiovese Rose has taken the wine world by storm. He produces approachable yet age-worthy wines that command the attention of wine critics and consumers alike, year-in and year-out; their lushness, concentration, aromatics and length are unrivaled. Giorgio's speedy ascent, from Moscato producer in the 1970's, to venerated Barbaresco and Barolo vigneron today, is studded with success.

The genius of La Spinetta encompasses a vast array of great wines, all boasting an inimitably approachable and voluptuous style. From Moscato to Nebbiolo to Sangiovese, whatever Giorgio touches turns to gold. His pioneering single-vineyard Barberas and Barbera/Nebbiolo blend Pin are considered to be the best of the Langhe. His Barbarescos and Barolo are at the very top of their category. In fact LA SPINETTA's wines are among Italy's most celebrated, as the winery has attained the coveted "Tre-Bicchieri" award for more than 30 of their wines throughout their relatively short career. Let it never be said, however, that the greatness of La Spinetta is inaccessible to the average consumer; from the longtime favorite Barbera d'Asti "Ca' di Pian," featured in numerous magazines as a Best Value, to the Langhe Nebbiolo, a bottling of young-vine fruit from the famed Starderi vineyard in Barbaresco, La Spinetta offers incredible opportunities to experience the beauty of La Spinetta's best crus at a fraction of the cost.

The Campè winery in Grinzane Cavour was established on the 8 hectares of Nebbiolo vineyards of the same name and represents the evolution of the LA SPINETTA production in respect to the great red wines of Piedmont. Though the vineyard is situated in an area that is less well-known for Barolo production, the soil, vineyard exposure and microclimate are extraordinary. The average age of the vines in the Campè vineyard is 45-60 years. Barolo Campè is vinfied from the grapes coming from the upper part of the vineyard, while Barolo Garretti is produced from Nebbiolo planted in the lower portion.

LA SPINETTA purchased the 8 hectares of vineyard in 2000 and less than 3 years later, in 2003, the new, state-of-the-art Barolo cellar was finished. In addition to our Barolo wines, our Barbera d’Alba Gallina and Langhe Nebbiolo are also produced here.

The very best selection of Barolo Campè is bottled exclusively in magnum and released as a Riserva, 10 years after harvest. The grapes for the Riserva Magnum come from the finest part of the Campè vineyard, in the upper center, where the vines not only get the best sun exposure, but also where all work is carried out without the use of tractors. Workers tend the vineyard on foot and manually and twice-a-year plowing is carried out by Giorgio and one of his work horses, either Morro or Pipo.

LA SPINETTA Castagnole is our original cellar, located in the Asti area northwest of Alba. Surrounded by 70 hectares of Moscato and Barbera d'Asti vineyards, this is the place where LA SPINETTA was founded in 1977.

The Rivettis remodeled and expanded the cellar and winery in the mid-1980s. Though more modern in style, cathedral ceilings and an open space characterize the impressive barrique cellar. The original barrel room was once used as the tasting room, but a new space was added in 2010. 

Today our Castagnole Lanze cellar is the heart of our Moscato, Barbaresco and Barbera Cà di Pian production, though we also vinify our two white wines, Lidia Chardonnay and Langhe Bianco, Pin and Barbera d'Asti Superiore Bionzo here.

Giorgio Rivetti: “We are farmers, says Giorgio, that means first and foremost, we respect the land by not using chemical fertilizers, pescticides or herbicides and we do not over-produce. We work with our hands and our head. This is the only way I know how to make wine.” Giorgio recounts his first vintage of Barbaresco in 1995: “The other Barbaresco producers came over very concerned as they couldn’t believe how few grapes we had left on the vines; they thought we were crazy and throwing away money. I knew from the start, the kind of quality that I wanted in all of our wines. And nothing has changed since.”