Mascarello Giuseppe

Giuseppe Mascarello – The traditionalist ‘King of Barolo’ from Monprivato

In the heart of the Langhe region of Piedmont, in the small municipality of Monchiero, lies the Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio winery – a name that ranks amongst the very greatest traditionalists in the world of Barolo. The family’s history dates back to 1881, when the founder of the same name, Giuseppe Mascarello (1830–1902), acquired his first vineyard in the Pian della Polvere area of Monforte d’Alba, thereby laying the foundations for an empire.

The decisive milestone came in 1904, when his son Maurizio purchased a cascina in the legendary Monprivato vineyard in Castiglione Falletto . This monopole vineyard, now covering 6.3 hectares – documented as a vineyard since 1566 – became the heart of the estate and the family’s distinctive hallmark. Today, the estate cultivates around 13 to 15 hectares of vineyards, all within the Barolo appellation.

The distinctive style of Mascarello wines is the result of uncompromising adherence to tradition. Yields are kept to a strict minimum, the vines are gently thinned out, and for years the estate has been practising organic viticulture, though without seeking certification. In the cellar, the focus is on long maceration periods of three to four weeks, spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts and ageing in large, neutral Slavonian oak barrels – a philosophy that emphasises the pure terroir character of the Nebbiolo grape and eschews trendy interventions.

The estate achieved its global breakthrough with the 1970 Barolo Monprivato, whose name appeared on the label for the first time. The wine became a legend and is now regarded as one of the greatest Barolos of all time. In 1985, the Renato Ratti classification confirmed Monprivato as one of Barolo’s finest vineyards.

Today, the estate is run by Mauro Mascarello, the founder’s great-grandson, who took over the management as early as 1967. He is supported by his wife Maria Teresa and his children Elena and Giuseppe. In addition to the iconic Monprivato, the range includes the Riserva ‘Cà d’Morissio’ from a small plot planted with the rare Michet clone, named after his grandfather Maurizio, as well as Barolos from the Villero and wines made from Dolcetto, Barbera and Freisa. Giuseppe Mascarello thus remains a shining example of the art of great, traditional Barolo – powerful, long-lived and possessing a precision that delights connoisseurs all over the world.