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Contratto was founded in 1867 in Canelli, the heart of a prestigious wine producing area. The company always had a reputation as one of Italy's premier Brut sparkling wine producers, actually given the nickname "the Spumantaio", by connoisseurs. In time it acquired a select number of vineyards in Cerequio, other renowned areas in and around Asti, and Gavi.

In January 1994, the historic company was taken over by next-door neighbor Distilleria Bocchino, another famous Piemontese producer, renowned for its world-class grappas.

Carlo and Antonella Bocchino, fourth generation grappa distillers, now run the two companies. Carlo transformed the old Contratto facilities into an upscale wine museum, while the old "champenoise" cellar dug into the heart of the surrounding hill at depths of over 100 feet, has been renovated into one of Piedmont's finest.


Solus Ad vineyard
They imposed a thorough selection process starting with the choice of vineyards and vines. Carlo has decided to focus on a small range of historic, mostly single-vineyard wines. Contratto produces wines exclusively from estates that they own or control. This is quite unique for a producer from Piedmont. For example, to produce a Gavi, a Barolo-based estate with no vineyards in Gavi would have to buy grapes or wine. Contratto, on the other hand, controls the "Arnelle" estate in Gavi, which produces one of the finest "Gavi del Comune di Gavi."

The same pattern is followed for its Barolo-based estate at Cerequio "Tenuta Secolo", its "Tenuta Alberta" estate in Barbaresco, and its Moscato D'Asti "Tenuta Gilardino" estate in Cassinasco. The highly prized "Solus Ad" and "Panta Rei" Barbera D'Asti are from the Contratto vineyards in Agliano, one of the most prestigious Barbera D'Asti districts. They were developed by Barbera-master Giancarlo Scaglione, the creator of "Bricco dell'Uccellone."


Carlo, Antonella and Giancarlo Scaglione
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