During the first months of 2026, the winery achieved outstanding recognition from wine competitions and international trade media.
Castagnole Monferrato (Asti), May 25 2026 – The first months of 2026 have firmly established Montalbera (link) among Italy’s most highly regarded wineries in the eyes of international wine critics. A symbol of Monferrato’s winemaking excellence, the winery enters the new year with an impressive series of scores, reviews and prestigious recognitions awarded by leading international wine competitions and some of the world’s most respected wine publications, once again confirming the quality and distinctive identity of its wines.
The American publication Wine Enthusiast awarded 91 points to Calypsos – Timorasso Colli Tortonesi DOC Timorasso Derthona 2023, and 90 points respectively to Lequilibrio Barbera d’Asti DOCG Superiore 2022 and Laccento Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG 2023.
Two wines received 91 points from James Suckling: Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba DOCG 2021 and Lintuito Barbaresco DOCG 2022.
American wine journalist Kerin O’Keefe awarded 95 points to Il Fondatore Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG Riserva 2023, 94 points to Barolo DOCG del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba 2021, 93 points to Laccento Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG 2024, and 92 points respectively to La Tradizione Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG 2024, Calypsos – Timorasso Colli Tortonesi DOC Timorasso Derthona 2024, Calypsos – Viognier Piemonte DOC Viognier 2025, and Lintuito Barbaresco DOCG 2022.
Montalbera also received two Gold Medals at the Mundus Vini wine competition for Il Fondatore Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG Riserva and Laccento Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG, while Il Fondatore Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG Riserva additionally earned 92 points at Vinitaly’s 5StarWines competition.
„These recognitions,“ underlines Franco Morando, owner of Montalbera, „represent tangible confirmation of a journey built day after day through a profound synergy between people, territory and corporate vision. It is a shared commitment founded on passion, dedication and genuine respect for the land, which continues to be reflected in wines of exceptional quality and in a level of excellence that remains consistently recognized over time.“
Montalbera
Among gentle hills, vineyards following the natural rhythm of the slopes, and landscapes alternating between woodland and hazelnut groves, Montalbera’s story unfolds — a winery deeply connected to its land since the early twentieth century. Located between Grana, Castagnole Monferrato and Montemagno, Montalbera has built its identity around the diversity of its soils and vineyard exposures: clay, limestone, sand and marl that give life to wines with a strong territorial expression. Today, the winery occupies a unique position within Piedmont’s wine landscape, stretching across Monferrato and Langhe, two of Italy’s most important wine-producing regions. The estate’s heart lies around Castagnole Monferrato, with more than 115 hectares of vineyards planted on a single hillside estate, complemented by the cultivation of Piedmont hazelnuts. In Castiglione Tinella, in the Langhe area, are located the historic Moscato d’Asti vineyards and the Morando family’s roots. This dual identity — Monferrato and Langhe, Ruché and Moscato — defines Montalbera: a winery capable of interpreting two of Piedmont’s great wine traditions with both rigor and a contemporary vision.
