Ca’ del Prete ‘Casot’ Freisa d’Asti

Location: Italy, Piedmont, Asti

Winemaker: Luca Ferrero

Grapes: Freisa

Soil: clay, marl

Winemaking: Hand picked fruit is fermented on the natural yeast in cement tanks, then finished in stainless steel where it rests for 12 months prior to bottling.

From the Importer Village Wine: In 1986 Giorgio Ferrero became the owner of the family farm, which had been producing wine in Pino d'Asti (about twenty minutes from Turin) for four generations. He had the vision and ability to begin implementing organic agriculture for all wine production—and began to market the wines under the Ca' del Prete name. The name ‘Ca’ del Prete’ derives from the farmhouse where the winery is located, which was once connected to the ancient rectory above. Since 2014, Giorgio’s nephew Luca, after gaining experience as Giorgio’s assistant, has taken the reins.

Luca has maintained all organic viticulture, but has been using some newer biodynamic treatments—as a winemaker he firmly believes that continuous questioning is the way to make better and purer wines. He defines his wines as ‘artisanal, from organically grown grapes’—artisan to note that the wines are made without the use of mechanics, chemicals, and only with very small additions of sulfites at bottling. And of course, 100% organic production.