Produttori del Barbaresco and the Discipline of Place - Milwaukee

For more than six decades, this cooperative has shaped not only how Barbaresco tastes, but how it is grown and understood — establishing a model of collective excellence that elevated growers, protected vineyards and set a global benchmark for Nebbiolo without ever chasing spectacle.

Founded in 1958 by a small group of growers determined to safeguard their land and their livelihoods, Produttori del Barbaresco stands as one of wine’s most consequential cooperative success stories. Its member families farm many of the appellation’s most consequential sites — Asili, Rabajà, Montestefano, Ovello, Pora, Muncagota, and Pajé — vineyards that have become reference points not through marketing or mythology, but through decades of disciplined farming, restrained winemaking, and an unwavering commitment to site expression. These are wines built for clarity and longevity, designed to transmit place rather than personality.

What elevates this seminar beyond a traditional tasting is the presence of Luca Cravanzola, Export Manager for Produttori del Barbaresco and one of the most articulate interpreters of the estate’s philosophy. Luca’s family were among the founding members of the cooperative in 1958, and they are fourth-generation grape growers in Ovello, so his perspective is rooted directly in the vineyards and history that define Produttori. Luca brings a rare blend of technical knowledge, historical context, and practical insight into how a cooperative of this scale maintains coherence, quality, and integrity across vintages. His perspective offers a deeper understanding of how decisions are made, how tradition is protected without stagnation, and how collective responsibility remains the foundation of Produttori’s success.

This tasting invites participants to experience Nebbiolo not as a singular expression, but as a mosaic of soils, exposures, and grower voices unified by a shared vision. It is an opportunity to examine why Produttori’s wines — modestly priced relative to their prestige, yet profound in their impact — have become essential reference points for collectors, educators, and professionals worldwide. More than a seminar, this is an encounter with one of Italy’s most enduring wine institutions, guided by a steward entrusted with carrying its values far beyond the hills of Barbaresco.

Ticket price credited back with a 2-bottle purchase of Produttori wines.

Wines to be tasted:

All prices listed reflect regular retail. Significant discounts will be offered on all wines tasted. Due to the highly allocated nature of some selections, wines may change without notice.