VI
GNA
SANTO STEFANO
One of the best vineyards in the Langhe, particularly in the Barbaresco area. It is located in Neive, in the subzone called Albesani, occupying the part closest to the Tanaro River. Unique for its exposure and inclination, age of the vines and size.
SANTO STEFANO VINEYARD
By 1742, Manfredo Bongiovanni, Count of Castelborgo had registered the “Cassina di S. Stefano” in the Cabreo, a public register of property.
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Santo Stefano was clearly venerated by the family, as their altar in the parish church was also dedicated to him.
1767
The architect Giovanni Antonio Borgese, administrator of the Castelborgo estate, noted the following in his inventory:
"Production of 536 brente (historic Piedmontese measure of volume equal to 50 litres) of ‘black wine’, of which 100 of Nebioli from the Cassina di S. Stefano”.
The Castelborgo (or their winemakers) had already understood that the Nebbiolo of Santo Stefano was unique, and deserved a separate vinification and storage.
1964
Along with the Castle, in 1964 Giacomo Stupino purchased several of its vineyards.
«Surveyor Giacomo», as he became known, was well-acquainted with the parcels of land around Neive, as he had measured practically all of them.
Given the choice between the partly fallow Santo Stefano vineyard and other, equally famous and already-planted vineyards in the area, he had no doubt.
Italo Stupino often recalled: "Our father chose Santo Stefano, because he was aware of the enormous potential of this unique hill. That was –and still is– our great fortune". It's enough to see the hill after every snowfall to understand how right he was.
The partnership with Bruno Giacosa
In the same year, "Cru Santo Stefano” appeared on the Barbaresco labels of the Castello di Neive and Bruno Giacosa. It was the beginning of a partnership that went on until 2011.
Between 1967 and 1970 all the fallow parts of Santo Stefano were replanted.
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As a result, more than six hectares of Nebbiolo in the Santo Stefano vineyard are now more than 50 years old, with all the advantages that this confers on quality.
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Italo recalled that American rootstocks were planted first and then grafted with cuttings from the estate’s best vines.
The new plantings
In 2005, we decided to plant a new vineyard on the hilltop and assign the south-west facing portion to Barbera.
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For the east-facing part, we chose a variety that we never experimented with, Rhine Riesling: the objective was to enhance, in a variety which is renowned for it, the minerality typically present in Santo Stefano wines.
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And finally in 2011, we planted a small portion of Nebbiolo with cuttings from previously tested and successful clones, along with a new, untested clone to compare with selections from the older vineyards of Santo Stefano and Valtorta.
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