Riserva Speciale
⏳ Drinking Window
2018 - 2038
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-braised beef, rich pasta dishes with fresh truffles, and mature hard cheeses like Castelmagno.
✨ Technical Specifications
The story of Fontanafredda is deeply intertwined with Italian royalty, born in 1858 from a love story between King Vittorio Emanuele II and Rosa Vercellana, the 'Bela Rosin,' who was gifted the estate. Located in the heart of the Langhe region in Piedmont, Fontanafredda's historic 'Riserva Speciale' represents a bygone era of winemaking, crafted from 100% Nebbiolo grapes grown in the clay-marl soils of Serralunga d'Alba. This designation, historically reserved for exceptional vintages requiring extended aging, showcases traditional Piedmontese craftsmanship. The wine undergoes long maceration on the skins and years of maturation in large Slavonian oak casks, resulting in a deeply structured, complex red. It yields classic aromas of dried rose petals, tar, leather, and autumnal forest floor, supported by robust tannins and a vibrant, age-worthy acidity.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1858 by Vittorio Emanuele II, the first King of Italy, as a gift for his beloved Rosa Vercellana, Fontanafredda is steeped in royal heritage and situated among the rolling hills of Serralunga d'Alba in Piedmont's Langhe region. The estate was turned into a commercial enterprise in 1878 by their son, Count Emanuele Guerrieri di Mirafiore, laying the foundation for one of Italy's most prestigious wine houses. Today, the winery couples historic cellars and traditional aging with a strong commitment to organic farming and eco-sustainable viticulture. Fontanafredda is globally acclaimed for its benchmark, age-worthy Barolo and Barbaresco wines, complemented by refined Piedmont staples including Roero Arneis, Barbera, and traditional-method Alta Langa sparkling wines.
🍇 Grape Varieties
100% Nebbiolo