Ferdinando Principiano

Ferdinando Principiano is an Italian winemaker in Piedmont, in the renowned Barolo region. Established in the mid-1990s, Principiano’s vineyards in Monforte d’Alba prioritize organic cultivation and natural fermentation. With a focus on minimal intervention, his Barolos stand out for their elegance and finesse, showcasing the region’s distinct terroir.

History

Authenticity first

In the early 1990s, Ferdinando took over the family estate in Monforte, where his father previously sold grapes from Ravera and Serralunga to local winemakers. Initially influenced by prevailing trends, Ferdinando pursued powerful extractions, new oak, and the quest for 100-point wines. However, disillusioned after a Barolo tasting in Alba where all wines tasted alike, he opted for a more authentic, terroir-driven approach to express Barolo’s full emotion. Since 2004, he gradually abandoned pesticides and chemical yeasts, preferring long, delicate fermentations and aging in traditional large oak casks (botti).

Vinification

No intervention

Today, Ferdinando is among the rare Barolo winemakers offering wines with minimal or no added sulfur, and his wines remain unfiltered. His Barolos exemplify Piedmont’s essence: elegant, refined, and deeply reflective of their terroir. While all farming is certified organic, Ferdinando goes beyond, obsessively preserving biodiversity in and around his vineyards. This includes acquiring adjacent forests and creating a pond at the base of his Boscareto cru, providing a habitat for migratory birds and a symphony of frogs. He meticulously tends to the vineyards by hand, utilizing tools like a scythe.