DOMENICO CLERICO
Just as almost every legendary Barolo winery has its own unique story, this is certainly true for Domenico Clerico in Monforte d'Alba, on the border with Barolo. Poverty was widespread in the region, and no one had yet gotten rich from selling Barolo. After much hesitation, in 1976, he took over two hectares of vineyards and two hectares of peach trees from his father. In a document from the farm's takeover, he noted: "...the land we live on has a value we don't yet fully understand...". This turned out to be an enormous foresight.
The winery now owns 21 hectares of vineyards in the most prestigious crus such as Bussia, Ginestra, Pajana, and Mosconi, and its wines are highly sought after worldwide. Sadly, the great visionary himself passed away too soon in 2017. His top Barolo, Percristina, commemorates his daughter who died at a young age. Barolo Ciabot Mentin is named after the former owner of Lage Ginestra. Barolo Aeroplanservaj is named after the nickname his father had given him, which roughly translates to "lively rascal." In one way or another, Domenico always remained that rascal. Mischievous, quirky, and humorous. This also applied to the labels. Because he liked all the designs of a Florentine artist, Servaj's Aeroplan is only available in a wooden box of six bottles, each with a different label. These art boxes have been very popular with collectors for years.
Domenico was a modernist and at the forefront of everything that meant progress. He was one of the first winemakers to experiment with barriques and roto-fermenters, which made his wines very popular on the American market at the time. Especially for this market, the Clerico winery still produces a Langhe Rosso, which is aged in new barriques. Clerico's lead in trends has paid off handsomely. The traditional course adopted ten years ago, whereby the Barolo wines were largely aged in large barrels (botte), has also been a golden move that has given the company an extra quality boost. It is no coincidence that Domenico Clerico's Barolo wines consistently receive 92+ ratings from leading wine journalists. Since Domenico's passing, his wife Giuliana Viberti Clerico, together with the highly skilled oenologist and winemaker Oscar Arrivabene, has continued the winery and maintained and, where possible, even enhanced its quality. The vineyards and the cantina itself were bequeathed to his niece Cecilia and nephew Orlando. For several years now, they have been taking their first steps in the iconic cantina inherited from their uncle. Big shoes to fill, but judging by recent developments, the Clerico winery faces a bright future.