Fontanafredda

Fontanafredda was born in the heart of wine-growing Piedmont, on the hills of the Langhe: chronicles of the time relate that “by order of 17 June 1858″ an area of approximately 54 hectares – part of the property of Roggeri Giacomo, in Serralunga d’Alba - was registered under the private estate of Vittorio Emanuele II King of Sardinia. The king, who had fallen hopelessly in love with Rosa Vercellana, also known as “La Bela Rusin”, a commoner and daughter of a drum major at his majesty’s service, gave the entire parcel of land to her, making her Countess of Mirafiori and Fontanfredda a year later. The history of Fontanafredda had begun, but it did not start operating as a business venture until twenty years later, in 1878, thanks to the farsightedness of Emanuele Guerrieri, Count of Mirafiore, son of the king and Bela Rusin, a noble entrepreneur who devoted his life to wine with a very modern approach. The estate’s noble past is still evident at Fontanafredda today in the hunting lodge, hamlet, extensive cellars and vineyards. In 2008 Fontanafredda was purchased by two businessmen, Oscar Farinetti and Luca Baffigo, respectively Chairman and Director of Eataly, a Piedmontese group operating in the sector of high quality Italian food. Today Fontanafredda - while continuing to stand out as a point of reference for Piedmontese tradition and high quality wines - has also become responsible for the sales and distribution on international markets of wines and food from twenty companies, all sharing in the same production ethics and driven by the same loyalty to their territory and traditions.