The Franco Conterno estate is a true family affair, with deep roots in the Langhe. The oldest vines were planted by Pietro Conterno, who passed the reins to his son Giacomo, and later to his nephew Franco, who took over in 1996. Today, while Franco remains closely involved, the day-to-day running of the estate is firmly in the hands of his two sons, Andrea and Daniele. Andrea prefers the quiet focus of vineyard and cellar work, while Daniele has stepped confidently into the role of figurehead and storyteller.

Andrea’s quiet dedication shows clearly in the wines, which continue to grow in refinement and expression. On a recent visit, we only wave to Andrea from where we are sat on the terrace of the family’s Agriturismo with glasses in hand as Daniele, ever the raconteur, shared stories of the Barolo Boys—a local football team made up of winemakers—while his youngest child balanced on one knee. All the while, he gives instructions to a cellar hand and chats with his mother. Together, the brothers have struck a confident balance between tradition and innovation—bringing a fresh perspective while respecting the estate’s heritage. They’ve expanded vineyard holdings, scaled back the use of new oak, and led the conversion to organic farming, earning certification in 2015.

At Conterno, ageing remains at the heart of winemaking—especially for Barolo, where maturation takes place entirely in bottle. The wines are classic in style: brick-hued, structured, and serious, but with no shortage of expressive fruit drawn from mature, organic vineyards. Beyond Barolo, the family continues to champion local varieties, producing precise, mineral Nascetta (they are one of only a dozen or so producers still working with this grape), vibrant Freisa, youthful Nebbiolo, and elegant Roero Arneis.

The jewel in the crown is Riserva Sette7Anni, a wine born from a challenge between generations. When Daniele proposed longer ageing, Franco handed over a single barrel—along with a reminder that such projects put pressure on cash flow. Named for its 84 months in barrel—far beyond the legal minimums of two years for Barolo and three for Riserva—Sette7Anni is produced only in exceptional vintages and lives up to its name in both patience and prestige.