Araldica

1954 – Foundation

Araldica Castelvero was founded in 1954 as a cooperative and grew to become, according to the description, Piedmont's largest and most progressive cooperative. It now counts around 300 members, mainly small vineyard owners, farming almost 1000 ha across major areas of Piedmont, including Langhe, Monferrato, Roero and Gavi. The cooperative owns the Antica Contea di Castelvero winery, whose oldest section was also built in 1954. At that time, wines were aged in concrete vats.

1960s–1970s – Cellar modernisation

During the 1960s and 1970s, the concrete vats were completely replaced with stainless steel and wooden vessels. Between 1972 and 1978, the company made major investments in a large cellar for ageing wine in oak barrels, with a total capacity of 15,000 hectolitres. This became the ageing facility for the "Barbera d'Asti" range, considered a contender for the honorary title of "best" among the company's broad selection of wines.

1998–1999 – Expansion

As part of continued expansion, the company acquired the "Cascinone" estate in 1998, with 102 ha of land in the municipality of Genoa, as well as "Battistina" near the town of Gavi. Both estates were given their own winemaking cellars. A modern warehouse and bottling plant for Araldica wines followed in 1999.

The cooperative's vineyards are spread across several major areas of Piedmont, including Langhe, Monferrato, Roero and Gavi, covering almost 1000 ha farmed by around 300 members, mainly small vineyard owners.

Grapes delivered by the growers are sorted into different quality grades, which determine how the grapes will be used and how much the growers are paid for their harvest. This grading system is intended to encourage growers to take particular care of their vineyards, benefiting both the growers and the cooperative.

The Antica Contea di Castelvero winery's oldest section dates to 1954, when wines were aged in concrete vats. During the 1960s and 1970s these vats were completely replaced with stainless steel and wooden vessels. Between 1972 and 1978, the company invested in a large cellar for ageing wine in oak barrels, with a total capacity of 15,000 hectolitres, which became the ageing facility for the "Barbera d'Asti" range. Following the 1998 acquisitions of the Cascinone and Battistina estates, each was equipped with its own winemaking cellar, and in 1999 a modern warehouse and bottling plant for Araldica wines was built.

Claudio Manera believes that investment in the vineyards is essential for making quality wines. Grapes delivered by the growers are sorted into different quality grades to decide how they will be used and how much the growers will be paid, an approach intended to encourage growers to take particular care of their vineyards and to benefit both sides. By combining this approach with modern winemaking methods and thoughtful marketing, Araldica Castelvero aims to offer a broad selection of good-quality, affordable wines.