Diano d'Alba Lepre
⏳ Drinking Window
2019 - 2024
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Piedmontese appetizers like vitello tonnato, fresh egg pasta with rich meat ragù, and roasted poultry or pork dishes.
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the historic estate of Fontanafredda, founded in 1858 by Vittorio Emanuele II, the first King of Italy, this wine celebrates the rich heritage of Piedmont's Langhe region. The 'Lepre' (meaning hare) is crafted from 100% Dolcetto grapes grown in the prestigious Diano d'Alba DOCG, an appellation celebrated for its exceptional 'sorì'—the sun-drenched, south-facing slopes prized for bringing Dolcetto to optimal ripeness. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve its vibrant primary fruit, this wine showcases the classic, approachable side of Piedmont. It weaves a story of ancient soils, featuring a bouquet of red cherries, wild berries, and a distinctive hint of bitter almond on the finish, reflecting the authentic character of the local terroir.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1858 by Vittorio Emanuele II, the first King of unified Italy, as an estate for his mistress Rosa Vercellana, Fontanafredda evolved into a foundational pillar of Piedmontese viticulture under their son, Count Emanuele Alberto di Mirafiore. The historic estate encompasses 120 hectares of certified organic vineyards centered in Serralunga d'Alba, an area distinguished by compact Helvetian limestone-marl soils and elevated south- and southwest-facing slopes between 200 and 400 meters. Acquired in 2008 by Oscar Farinetti and Luca Baffigo, the property underwent a viticultural renaissance, securing full organic certification with the 2018 harvest. In the nineteenth-century cellars, winemaking merges technical precision with classical Piedmontese restraint, relying on long macerations, stainless steel vinification for fragrant whites, and maturation in neutral Slavonian oak botti for its noble reds. Iconic bottlings include the cru Barolo Vigna La Rosa, Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d'Alba, Roero Arneis Pradalupo, and the pioneering Alta Langa Metodo Classico sparkling wines.