La Mondianese

La Mondianese is a winery in Montemagno Monferrato, in the province of Asti, with vineyards on the hills between Montemagno and Castagnole Monferrato. Next to a restored nineteenth-century farmhouse we have built a modern cellar for winemaking and a barrel cellar dug under the hill. The estate measures 20 hectares, of which approximately 7 are vineyards, and produces around 50,000 bottles a year.

We are in the land of Ruchè, a very rare red grape variety that is grown only in seven municipalities north of Asti. In addition to Montemagno they are Castagnole Monferrato, Grana, Portacomaro, Refrancore, Scurzolengo and Viarigi. Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato became DOC in 1987 and DOCG in 2010. On the same hills we grow Grignolino and Barbera, which we also have in a vineyard in Agliano Terme, one of the historic towns of Barbera d'Asti.

In the vineyard the vines are trained in espalier with Guyot pruning on calcareous soils of marine origin. The pruning is severe to have fewer but better quality grapes, and the harvest is done by hand by choosing the bunches and placing them in boxes. In the cellar the grapes ferment in horizontal fermenters and stainless steel tanks. The wines destined for refinement instead go down to the underground cellar, where they rest in wooden barrels of various sizes, Allier oak barriques and tonneaux.

Del Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG we produce the Oniro and the Riserva L'Inizio, which spends 12-14 months in barrique. There are two Barbera d'Asti DOCG, La Bella and Superiore La Donnamora, while Grignolino d'Asti DOC is called Ventomatto. The Monferrato Bianco DOC Biancaura and Oro di Luna are born from Timorasso and Riesling. The range is completed by the rosé A Tutto Rosa and three Monferrato Rosso DOC: Barù from Barbera and Ruchè, Assorosso and Noah, which combine Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah with other vines. In the cellar you will also find two grappas: the Ansolà di Ruchè and the Bellezza di moscato aged in barrique.

Each tasting includes a visit to the cellar and ends in the room with a platter of cold cuts and cheeses. The shortest lasts an hour and a half with three wines. In the two two-hour formulas you go down to the barrel cellar and taste five wines or five Ruchè with a Ruchè grappa. The longest visit lasts two and a half hours, is guided by our winemaker and begins with a walk among the rows. For lunch we organize a picnic in the vineyard: after the tour of the cellars, a blanket with cushions and a basket of local products await you to enjoy among the vineyards. For children aged 6 to 17 there is a separate price. The picnic wine is not included, but you can purchase a bottle in the cellar before sitting down.

Tastings are held every day, even on weekends, with one shift mid-morning and one mid-afternoon. They are booked at least the day before and are reserved for adults, but minors can accompany you and forthere is a drink or tea for them. The cellar is accessible by wheelchair and stroller and, if it rains, the tasting takes place indoors. The visits take place in Italian or English. In the shop you can taste and buy wines and grappas from Monday to Sunday.

To get there you pass through Castagnole Monferrato and continue in the direction of Refrancore. The farmhouse is not served by public transport, so it is neededthe car.