The vineyards of Montaldo
The company is located in Montaldo Roero, a small village 12 kilometers from Alba, where the Bertello family has been present since 1846, as declared by the Land Registry, at the Ciapetto site (a location recognized by the Land Registry in 1623). In Piedmontese dialect, “Cascina del Ciapetto” means a farm with a courtyard, garden, and vineyards, located atop a hill, which derives from the term “ciapetto di terra,” more precisely, a portion of land at the back of the hill.
The company was originally a typical Roero farm, with small vineyards and very fragmented orchards, and dedicated to livestock farming. The company was founded by Giacomo in 1850. He believed in the potential of this beautiful land and began to dedicate himself to grape production. Over time, other crops have been almost completely replaced by grape growing.
The first vineyards were: the “Sarzorì” vineyard in the municipality of Vezza d’Alba, which in 2016 acquired the “Valmaggiore” designation, where internationally renowned Nebbiolo grapes are produced; the “Gargan” vineyard, where Nebbiolo grapes are grown; the “Cagnòla” vineyard, where Nebbiolo and Favorita grapes are grown; and part of the larger “Valle Gioia” vineyard, where Arneis grapes are still grown. These historic vineyards were joined by other vineyards, totaling 15 hectares.
At that time, all the vineyards were worked by hand and all the grapes produced were sold. Around 1950, Giacomo’s son, Antonio, began directly producing the estate’s own grapes. And it was he, our grandfather, who passed down the same passion to us, his grandson. With experience, bottle after bottle, the quantity produced and the quality of the products increased. But the concept of vinifying grapes with tradition and authenticity has never faded.
Ciapetto Farmhouse
Specifically, the company is located in the municipality of Montaldo Roero, on the border with Vezza d’Alba and Monteu Roero where, as declared by the land registry, the Bertello family already had a settlement in the houses in the Ciapetto area (a location recognized by the land registry in 1623).
In Piedmontese dialect, Cascina del Ciapetto refers to a farmhouse with a farmyard, vegetable garden, and rows of vineyards, located on the top of a hill. The term “ciapetto di terra” more precisely refers to a portion of land on the back of the hill itself.
The company was originally a typical Roero farm, with small, very fragmented plots of vineyard, which also raised livestock (cows and pigs, chickens and rabbits) which it fed from its own fields, and which grew fruit, vegetables and, last but not least, silkworms.
Hard and tiring work, always carried out with full respect for the environment, family, values, customs, and tradition.
The beginnings of Ciapat
The company found its founder in Giacomo, around 1850, who, seeing and believing in the potential of this splendid land, began to dedicate himself more specifically to the processing and production of wine and table grapes.
Over time, other crops were gradually abandoned to make way for vine cultivation; the stable was also removed, but fruit and vegetable growing continued.
Confirmation over the years
The first lands purchased and planted as vineyards were, and still are, the “Sarzorì” vineyard in the municipality of Vezza d’Alba, which in 2016 acquired the “Valmaggiore” designation, where internationally renowned Nebbiolo grapes are produced; the “Gargan” vineyard, where Nebbiolo grapes are grown; the “Cagnòla” vineyard, where Nebbiolo and Favorita grapes are grown; and a portion of the now largest “Valle Gioia” vineyard, where Arneis grapes are still grown. These historic vineyards are joined by other vineyards, for a total of 15 hectares.
It all began with the hard work in the vineyards, which at the time were strictly hand-worked and the grapes were sold; later, the grapes were vinified directly on the estate.
A decisive step that marked the history of this family and that has ensured that year after year, step by step, bottle after bottle, the quantity produced and the quality of the products sold have increased. And it is precisely that concept of vinifying grapes with tradition and passion that has been passed down to us and has never faded.
The Cascina Ciapat staff
JAMES AND PIERO
The heirs of Bertello Antonio, who had started bottling DOCG wines
Piero:
A kind, generous man who works incredibly hard. His life is divided between factory shifts and farm shifts. He takes care of the health of the orchards, pruning, and planting potatoes and onions.
Giacomo:
Always with a thousand ideas for his business. He leaves home at 6:30 a.m. and isn’t seen until 9:00 p.m. His day is entirely spent in the vineyards; he takes care of them like his own children, from pruning to touring with the tractor.
LUCA, ILARIA AND MARINELLA
The heirs of Bertello Antonio, who had started bottling DOCG wines
Luca,
a man of few words, puts all his energy into providing the company with the best wine the vineyard has to offer every year. He graduated from the “Umberto I” School of Enology in Alba, a city in the heart of the Langhe and Roero region. His work in the cellar begins with pressing and ends with bottling.
Ilaria,
always kind and smiling. Joining the company since 2016 after several experiences “out of town.” She handles customer reception, wine delivery, and administrative duties.
Marinella,
wife of Giacomo and mother of Luca and Ilaria. An energetic person who never stops. She also divides her time between an office job and her life as a farmer; her holidays from her main job are dedicated to the harvest period
GRANDMA CATERINA
Grandmother, grandfather Antonio’s wife.
A strong woman who still greets guests upon their arrival with a smile and a wealth of Piedmontese stories and proverbs. She has continued the business alongside Antonio, both in the fields and in the cellar, and above all, she has passed down her passion to her children and grandchildren.
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