Discovering a historic event venue nestled in an estate rich in biodiversity where the passion for viticulture is transformed into enological excellence, producing unique and sustainable organic wines.
SAN GIORGIO CANAVESE – The heart of Fontecuore’s philosophy lies in the quest for essence and authenticity. Maria Luisa Monticelli, together with her husband Stefano, leads Tenuta Fontecuore with an approach that combines tradition and attention to biodiversity learned from her family and innovation born from in-depth studies, experience, creativity, and research. Their mission is to eliminate superstructures and return to the primordial values of man and nature, reflecting these principles in the management of the vineyards, wine production, and the organization of emotional tastings and events.
“Located in Piedmont, in the heart of Canavese, Tenuta Fontecuore spans a vast territory embracing the municipalities of San Giorgio, Cuceglio, Montalenghe, Vialfrè, and Torre Canavese,” explains Stefano Desderi. “Our region, characterized by the post-glacial Morainic Serra, offers a unique and picturesque terroir, perfect for high-quality viticulture. We passionately cultivate 16 hectares of vineyards, pastures, woods, and orchards, using precious grape varieties like Erbaluce, Nebbiolo, the rare Neretto di San Giorgio, and other native vines. Each of our wines reflects Fontecuore’s philosophy: authenticity, sustainability, and a constant pursuit of excellence, balancing tradition and innovation. We are proud to produce high-quality organic wines that embody the character and biodiversity of our territory.”
Wine Production
Fontecuore’s wine production is the result of meticulous care and innovative techniques. The vineyards are cultivated according to certified sustainable and organic methods, with particular attention to biodiversity. Harvesting is selective and strictly manual. Vinification and subsequent long aging take place in historic cellars restored with natural materials, where each stage of the process is carefully monitored to ensure the highest quality. Among the wines produced, Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG and Nebbiolo Canavese DOC stand out, also vinified into fine classic method sparkling wines with long aging in the champenoise bottle.
Fontecuore Wines: A Detailed Description
Fontecuore produces a wide range of high-quality wines and classic method sparkling wines, each with unique characteristics that reflect the producers’ passion and attention to detail. The names of the wines and classic method sparkling wines express constellations: a unique and rare universe of passionate rituals and starred myths! By tradition, Fontecuore knows how to wait for its wines and sparkling wines for years, for a complete maturation that delights the palates of tasters. Even with white wines, they do not release wines by vintage, but wait for time to refine them. Here is a specific description of each Fontecuore wine.
White Wines
- Fontecuore ANDROMEDA Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG Organic Wine 2021: Erbaluce – A classic example of Erbaluce di Caluso, vinified with traditional methods, offering fresh and fruity notes, with vibrant acidity. It appears bright with a straw-yellow color. The nose perceives floral hints of acacia and hawthorn, followed by fruity notes of green apple and pear, with mineral nuances emerging with aging. On the palate, it is dry, soft, fresh, and savory, with a refined taste-olfactory finesse that characterizes it. Alcohol Content: 12.5% vol. Perfect as an aperitif or paired with appetizers, pasta, risotto, soups, vegetable omelets, white meats, fried meat and fish, salads with dried fruits, pasta with cashew ragout, and grilled tofu.
- Fontecuore GALATTICA Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG Vigna Misobolo Organic Wine 2021: Erbaluce – This premium wine is obtained from selected Erbaluce grapes from the Fontecuore Misobolo vineyard, with excellent exposure trained in pergola and guyot. The selected organic grapes are carefully hand-harvested. It appears with an intense and bright straw-yellow color, evaluated at 100% in the French organic guides. The nose perceives hints of aromatic herbs. On the palate, it is full and tasty, with body and sapidity that guarantee great gustative depth. Alcohol Content: 14% vol. Perfect to accompany gourmet appetizers, risotto cooked with Galattica, elaborate first courses with white sauces, fish or white meat main courses, tofu in miso sauce, and seitan with vegetable ragout.
- Fontecuore CRATERI Macerato sulle bucce Organic Conversation Wine 2021: Obtained from Erbaluce Grapes – This wine is characterized by vibrant freshness and pronounced minerality. Macerated for 11 days on its skins, it releases an intense amber-gold color. Vinified in barrique to enhance citrus and white and yellow flower notes, it presents a varied bouquet with floral hints of dog rose, dried fruit, honey, and mineral spices. In the mouth, it offers good body, engaging complexity, and good persistence, with sapidity contributing to its freshness. Alcohol Content: 13% vol. Ideal as an aperitif or paired with appetizers, risotto, soups, vegetable omelets, white meat, fish, and aged cheeses. Excellent for gourmet cocktails.
Classic Method Sparkling Wines
- Fontecuore CASSIOPEA Spumante Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG Metodo Classico Millesimato Pas Dosé 2013: Erbaluce – In the cooler vineyards, Erbaluce ripens slowly, maintaining a fresh and lively acidity, perfect for classic method refermentation. It referments in the champenoise bottle and remains in contact with the lees for over 120 months, developing complex aromas. An elegant classic method sparkling wine, produced from selected vintage Erbaluce grapes. With zero dosage, it is pure in its distinct “personality.” It presents a bright color with fine and persistent perlage, aromas of bread crust, citrus, and toasted almonds. On the palate, it is dry and fresh, with long persistence that pleasantly caresses the palate, given its long aging. Alcohol Content: 12.5% vol. Ideal to accompany appetizers, risotto, pasta with white sauces, vegetable omelets, fried meat and vegetables, white meat, and fish.
- Fontecuore PLEIADI Spumante Biologico Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG Metodo Classico Millesimato Brut 2019: Erbaluce – This classic method sparkling wine matures in the champenoise bottle, aging for over 72 months on the lees. A precious and secret recipe of liqueur d’expedition during disgorging makes its tasting unique and unmistakable. It is characterized by brightness and persistent fine perlage, notes of green apple, citrus, and crisp yeast. In the mouth, it is creamy, with balanced acidity and a dry finish. Alcohol Content: 13% vol. Perfect for aperitifs, charcuterie boards, fish preparations, zucchini and cashew spaghetti, vegetable tigelle, and vegan sauces.
- Fontecuore PERSEO Canavese DOC Spumante Rosato Metodo Classico Millesimato Extra Brut 2016: Nebbiolo, Neretto di San Giorgio, Uva Rara – A refined classic method rosé sparkling wine, with fine and persistent perlage and a wonderful noble pink color, enjoyable even from the transparent champenoise bottle. The aromas include berries and delicate floral notes. On the palate, it is creamy, delicate with lively acidity. Alcohol Content: 12% vol. Ideal for finger food, aperitifs, raw vegetables, vegan and vegetarian first courses, vegetable tempura, zucchini and hazelnut risotto, delicate and light main courses.
Red Wines
- Fontecuore PRINCIPE Rosso Morenico: Antico Raro Morenico – Red grape (international variety integrated) – The old vines of Fontecuore host an international variety that has integrated perfectly. The vinification involves long maceration on the skins and subsequent aging for over four years in barrique. The wine presents with an intense and deep garnet color, with intense olfactory sensations of red fruit in spirit, undergrowth, and tobacco. Produced from ancient and rare grapes of the morainic region, this red wine is aged in barrique, offering a complex profile with notes of dark fruits, spices, and a light toasting. The nose perceives nuances of blackberry and ripe fruit, with light hints of vanilla, while on the palate it is soft, voluminous, and with velvety tannins. Alcohol Content: 13.5% vol. Perfect for important first courses, ideal for meat dishes and stews, suitable also for tasty appetizers, cheeses, and vegetable sauces, also excellent with grilled seitan, miso cheeses, and oleaginous fruits.
- Fontecuore PEGASO Canavese DOC Nebbiolo 2018: Nebbiolo – The fascinating Nebbiolo grape of the entire Piedmont region expresses unique aromas in Canavese thanks to the morainic soils rich in stones of the West glacial Moraine and clays. The grape harvest is manual and the wine ages in the cellar for over 12 months and in barriques for another 24 months. It is complex and structured, with aromas of red fruits, red roses, violets, and spices. Visually, it shows with an intense ruby red color. On the palate, it is elegant, with silky tannins and a long and enveloping finish. A bottle that excites! Alcohol Content: 13.5% vol. Ideal for Piedmontese agnolotti, Nebbiolo risotto cooked with Pegaso, red meat roasts, game, and aged cheeses, also perfect with pasta with walnut ragout and roasted tofu.
Meditation Wines
- Fontecuore ARA Erbaluce di Caluso Passito Riserva Organic Wine DOCG 2019: Erbaluce – A sweet wine obtained from Erbaluce grapes dried until February, followed by long aging in oak barriques. It presents notes of honey, dried apricot, and almond. Visually, an intense amber-gold color. The nose perceives notes of dried fruit, hazelnut, and almond, with great intensity and elegance. On the palate, the pleasant sweetness caresses the palate, creating volume and velvet in the mouth, with fresh acidity balancing the sweetness, resulting in a long and persistent finish. Alcohol Content: 13.5% vol. Perfect as a dessert or meditation wine, accompanied by cream desserts, dry pastries, dried fruits, spiced cakes, blue cheeses, also suitable for cashew and miso cheese, vegan desserts.
- Fontecuore MISTERIOSA Rare Barrique White Meditation Wine 2013: Selection of precious rare grapes. A dry white meditation wine, produced from rare grapes and aged in barrique, intriguing, produced from a blend of native grapes with a rich history of legends and mysteries. Visually, it is intense gold in color. The nose surprises with warm spicy tones and offers a complex aromatic bouquet with notes of dried fruit, spices, hints of tobacco, and chestnut honey. On the palate, it is rich and mysterious, dry with good complexity. Alcohol Content: 13.5% vol. Ideal alone for moments of relaxation or conversation, also perfect paired with gourmet cheeses, cashew cheese, refined bitter chocolate desserts, flambé berries, and zabaione cooked with Misteriosa.
Fontecuore:
These wines and classic method sparkling wines represent the heart of Fontecuore’s production, reflecting the dedication and art of winemaking that the owners Maria Luisa Monticelli and Stefano Desderi put into every bottle. Tenuta Fontecuore offers a unique enological experience, combining tradition with innovation to create products of excellence.
Events and Activities
Fontecuore is indeed a fascinating organic agriviticultural estate, but also a place of meeting and discovery. The historic mansion, after years of careful conservative architectural restoration, received the Silver Crown 2024 and is listed in the National Register of Fine Historic Homes of Italy. The estate organizes numerous events, including masterclasses, emotional tastings, and conferences, attracting enthusiasts and industry experts. An example is the masterclass “Time of Erbaluce,” which highlighted the versatility and quality of the Erbaluce grape and its often unexpected longevity.
For those who wish to fully immerse themselves in the Fontecuore experience, the estate offers a guesthouse with rooms overlooking the vineyards and gardens, allowing guests to live in close contact with nature. The guesthouse, opening soon, will be an ideal starting point to explore the surroundings, participate in relational nature trails, and enjoy the emotional tastings organized by the estate. Possibilities include organizing events, weddings, experiential parties, private emotional tastings, outdoor corporate meetings, and anti-stress Mindfulness courses/paths, the latter also individual, conducted by the owner Dr. Maria Luisa Monticelli, awarded the Professional Honorability 2024 recognition by the Italian Ministry of Health for her thirty-year career as a psychologist and psychotherapist, who explains: “Well-being and psycho-physical health are the result of harmony and balance with oneself, with others, with nature, and with organic nutrients. We consciously assume good energetic nutrients and surround ourselves with relational and artistic beauty: they are the first step towards happiness and eternal youth!” And she concludes: “This year, the dominant theme of the Italian Association Women of Wine, of which I am an active partner, is precisely culture: we are committed to bringing back the millennial traditions of a food that has accompanied humanity from the archetypes of the universe, adding empathy and innovation for a conscious, ethical, and sustainable consumption of wine.”
Fontecuore represents an example of excellence in the Italian agriviticultural and wine tourism landscape, combining respect for tradition, passion for innovation, and a deep connection with the territory: a perfect alchemy from the terroir to proactive experiential human relationships.
Each bottle produced tells a story of dedication, care, and love for the land, offering a unique sensory experience that embodies the essence of Canavese.
For anyone wishing to explore the world of wine in an authentic and immersive way, a visit to Fontecuore is a must!
FONTECUORE® Tenuta Certificata Biologica e Dimora Storica per Eventi
Strada Misobolo, 11 – 10090 San Giorgio Canavese (TO) – Piemonte – Italia
Phone (+39) 012432364 tenuta@fontecuore.it www.fontecuore.it