Bartolo Mascarello

Bartolo Mascarello stands as one of the premier Barolo producers hailing from the Piedmont region, with a winery story that is truly unique and captivating. In the 1920s, Bartolo Mascarello joined his family's winemaking business, inheriting invaluable knowledge passed down through generations. His dedication to winemaking led him to defend local lands against German occupation during WWII before fully committing himself to the winery. With 5 hectares situated in Cannubi, San Lorenzo, and Rué in Barolo, as well as Rocche in La Morra, Mascarello embodies the essence of traditional winemaking, embracing local practices and shunning conformity.

Bartolo Mascarello's steadfast adherence to tradition earned him the moniker 'the Last of the Mohicans,' alongside fellow producers Teobaldo Cappellano and Giuseppe Rinaldi. Despite facing criticism for resisting the shift from traditional Slovakian barrels to fashionable French barriques, Mascarello remained resolute. This defiance, though controversial at the time, ultimately solidified the winery's legacy, with its wines now considered iconic.

The controversy continued with the introduction of hand-painted wine labels bearing the slogan 'No Barrique No Berlusconi,' expressing anti-Berlusconi sentiment. This bold stance resulted in a widely publicized raid on a shop selling Mascarello wines in 2001 for alleged political propaganda.

Moreover, Bartolo Mascarello championed the practice of blending grapes from different plots to ensure consistent quality, prioritizing aroma, complexity, and balance over the allure of single-vineyard expressions. Following Bartolo's passing in 2005, his daughter Maria Teresa assumed leadership, steadfastly upholding his legacy and continuing to craft the revered classic Barolo that bears the Mascarello name.