Franco Conterno “Cascina Sciulun” is located inside the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba. It is an ancient Piemontese farm, built in the mid-XIX century and expanded in the’40s. It has always been the home of the Conterno family that, starting from the grandfather Pietro, had cultivated beautiful vineyards around the farm with the Nebbiolo grape, and had produced wines of rare elegance and prestige. Today, Franco Conterno manages 28 hectares of vineyard, with the help of his wife Vilma and of the two sons, Andrea and Daniele.
The cultivation is traditional, with a high respect for the environment but without neglecting what modern technology offers.
The nature of the land, its good exposure (80% of the vineyards are exposed at South-South/West) together with the extraordinary microclimate of the area and the wise, traditional vinification, give Franco Conterno wines unique and precious organoleptic features.
A part of the old manor now hosts an Agriturismo with 6 beautiful rooms surrounded by the vineyards owned by the family. All of this happens in a familiar environment, among the “Langhe” green hills, far away confusion and noise.
The story of the Estate starts first with Franco’s grandfather Pietro, then his father Giacomo, that cultivated grapes and sold them to Monforte bottlers.
In 1995, Franco and his wife Vilma started the Franco Conterno Farm Business.
Since 1996 we participate in the Rural Development Plan of the Piemonte Region, which provides the development of sustainable environmental practices, within the regional agricultural and environment programme. Fertilizations are performed in rotation, and we exclusively use manure coming from an organic bovine breeding.
Our cultivation techniques combine modern technology with tradition and respect for the environment.
Work in the vineyard is a constant cycle made up of many different phases. It begins in the autumn with the aeration of the soil in alternate rows, followed by the sowing of green manure: broad beans, field beans, barley, wheat and oilseed rape. No herbicides are required, thanks to our under-vine mowing technique. Between rows the grass is cut and plant protection treatments are applied, making use of the valuable properties of copper and sulphur. Fertilisation takes place in rotation, with the use of animal manure only.
Each hectare requires 630 hours of manual work per year; from Guyot pruning to green pruning, and finally thinning, to allow for successful ripening.
In recent years, Franco’s two sons—Daniele and Andrea—joined the company, following in the footsteps of their grandfather, bringing fresh insight and innovation to the winery and vineyards, continuing the family business with passion and dedication.