Giuseppe Mascarello

When speaking about pivotal Barolo producers, Giuseppe Mascarello must always be one of the first names on the list. Its famed Barolo Monprivato is arguably the blueprint for modern-day Barolo; a single-vineyard bottle beloved for its exceptional aging ability and powerful, full-bodied taste, it serves as an incredible expression of the versatile Nebbiolo grape. Discover the remarkable history and allure behind Mascarello wines.

Giuseppe Mascarello: Origin Behind the Piedmont Icons

Giuseppe Mascarello boasts one of Italy's greatest wine histories, dating back to the late 19th century when its eponymous founder opened the estate. Giuseppe began buying grapes from farmers in the illustrious Piedmont region and crafted some of the country's first Barolos before purchasing a vineyard in the Langhe. Two decades later, his son, Maurizio, acquired 3 hectares in the historic Monprivato vineyard, whose winemaking origins can be traced back to the 1660s. This acquisition, combined with the procurement of an ice warehouse, transformed the history of Mascarello. Perfect for storing and aging Barolo due to the building's natural cooling system, Mascarello quickly joined the summit of Italian wine's hierarchy, standing next to names like Conterno and Giacosa as Barolo icons.

Through most of the 20th century, Mascarello remained a top Barolo producer; however, in 1970, the estate truly revolutionized Barolo winemaking. Mauro Mascarello pleaded with his father to craft a single-vineyard Barolo from Monprivato— an oddity at the time— as conventional thinking asserted the best Barolos were created from multiple vineyards. Little expectations were set into the first vintage, though it would forever change Italian winemaking. The single-vineyard Barolo Monprivato fascinated drinkers, thanks to the use of Nebbiolo Michet, a structured and well-aged clone of the famous Italian fruit. 

Fifty years after the inaugural vintage, Mascarello Barolo Monprivato has become the archetype for contemporary Barolos. Its long-term aging, structured body, and refined elegance have remained a staple, despite changing trends and styles. 

Mascarello Terroir & Winemaking: Traditionalist Approach from Monprivato Vineyard

In 1990, Mascarello purchased all 6 hectares of the Monprivato vineyard, making it one of Italy's few monopoles. Situated 280 meters above sea level, the site's limestone soils and southwest aspect are perfect for Nebbiolo Michet, a naturally low-yielding and late ripening fruit. Each harvest is hand-picked and sorted, with a low-intervention approach taken to the vinification process. Absolutely no artificial fertilizers or mechanisms are used, as winemaking at Mascarello is traditional. Once the meticulous sorting process is complete, the fruit is macerated for 30 days, aged in old botti grandi (Italian slang for 'Slavonian Oak') for three and a half years, then bottled unfined and unfiltered. 

"Monprivato represents balance, elegance, and composure... we believe that its spirit is forever linked, from the very beginning, to the history of my family."
— Elena Mascarello

When taking a look at Mascarello's cellar, most are underwhelmed in comparison to the high-tech operations of top wineries across the globe. The small, grey cellar contains no new French oak or no fancy technology; instead, centuries of family-grown recipes are present in the room's atmosphere. The Mascarello family is now on its 5th generation of winemakers and is firmly committed to carrying on the tradition that has served the estate so graciously.

Mascarello Barolo: The Blueprint Behind Italian Barolos

Barolos from Giuseppe Mascarello are typically described as firmly structured and well-aged, with prominent red fruit and truffle notes on the nose and palate. The deep garnet hues of the wine exude a fine balance between density and delicacy, and have captured the hearts of Italian wine lovers worldwide. Renowned critic Antonio Galloni has stated, "[Mascarello] conquered Barolo fans and novices alike... able to bridge the gap between tasters with dramatically different palates."

What once was an outlier in Barolos has become the standard. Today, the vast majority of Barolo producers follow Mascarello's single-vineyard approach, creating full-bodied wines made to last in the cellar for decades. For discerning collectors looking for a benchmark classic wine, look no further than Mascarello Barolo. Browse our selection and grab a bottle for your cellar today.