Tenuta il Finale – A Sanctuary for Old Vines in the Heart of Piemonte
Tenuta il Finale – A Sanctuary for Old Vines in the Heart of Piemonte
Nestled in the rolling hills between the historic communes of Castagnole delle Lanze and Costigliole d’Asti, Tenuta il Finale is a boutique wine estate dedicated to preserving the viticultural heritage of Piemonte through a profound respect for old vines. With its commitment to native varietals—Barbera, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, and Arneis—the estate crafts characterful DOC and DOCG wines that express the soul of their individual terroirs.
Founded in 2021, the estate takes its name from its original vineyard located on Strada Finale in Castagnole delle Lanze. From the outset, the team was captivated by the concentration and vibrancy of the old-vine Barbera planted here—many of which are over 65 years old, with a remarkable parcel nearing a century in age. These ancient vines form the heart of Tenuta il Finale’s philosophy: safeguarding old vines not only as a link to tradition, but as a wellspring of quality, elegance, and complexity.
The vineyards are all situated on steep, limestone-rich slopes that maximise sun exposure and drainage. Farming is sustainable, encouraging biodiversity through natural cover crops and complementary planting. Precision in vineyard management, minimal intervention in the cellar, and the expression of clearly defined terroirs are fundamental principles.
Old Vine Sites and Terroir
Vigneto il Finale (Castagnole delle Lanze)
N 44.7695º / E 08.1555º
1.5 hectares of south-west facing old-vine Barbera, with an average age of 65 years and one exceptional plot of 95-year-old vines. The vineyard, with a 25% gradient, is Guyot-pruned and planted on soils composed of 70% limestone and 30% clay.
Vigneto Fontanavi (Costigliole d’Asti)
N 44.7690º / E 08.2095º
1.6 hectares of Barbera on a challenging 40% incline. The south-east facing slope, surrounded by hazelnut groves and natural hedgerows, features 30+ year-old vines rooted in highly erodible 80% limestone soil. Natural grass and ground cover are maintained to protect against erosion.
Vigneto Costigliole San Carlo
N 44.7905º / E 08.1875º
Overlooking the famed Costigliole Castle, this 3-hectare site (1.5 ha Barbera, 1.5 ha Nebbiolo) is southwest-facing with well-draining soils of 76% limestone and sand with 24% clay. Two wells ensure resilience during hot, dry vintages.
Vigneto di Serena
N 44.6885º / E 08.1235º
Set at 450m elevation, this southeast-facing vineyard is planted with younger vines (under 10 years old), benefiting from 75% limestone-marl soils that retain freshness and minerality and 25% clay.
Craft and Vision
All grapes are hand-harvested and vinified with minimal intervention—natural fermentation, minimal sulphur use, and selective oak ageing are used to let the grapes speak for themselves. These methods allow each vintage and vineyard to express a clear sense of place.
Founder David Mogford believes that Barbera is one of Italy’s most underappreciated noble grapes—deserving recognition not just in trattorie, but alongside the world’s most celebrated wines. To that end, Tenuta il Finale will launch World Barbera Day in 2025, supported by a global network of ambassadors.
Wine Portfolio
For the 2024 vintage, the estate introduces the ‘Terroir Series’—a trio of Barbera d’Asti DOCG wines, each from a distinct single-vineyard plot, showcasing the unique character of its origin. These are joined by the elegant Barbera d’Asti Superiore and a vibrant, fruit-driven entry-level Barbera.
Tenuta il Finale also crafts expressive, small-batch wines from Arneis, Dolcetto, and Nebbiolo, with particular emphasis on old-vine selections that naturally produce lower yields and greater aromatic depth.
David Mogford, founder
