Serradenari, the “peak” of the Barolo, is like a terrace overlooking the northwestern Italian region of Piedmont. The view from here embraces the Alps from Liguria to Cervino, with Mount Monviso sitting majestically in the horizon. Down below is the renowned district of the Langhe, dear to food and wine lovers the world over.

 
 



The name of the farmhouse, Serradenari, harks back to centuries ago, when the Black Death forced the peasants of Barolo and La Morra to leave their lands and take refuge on the crest, taking with them all their savings – hence, the name Serradenari, from “Sara D’nè,” which in the local dialect means “sierra of money.”

In our days, Giovanni Negri has turned Serradenari into a boutique winery where tradition and modernity meet to produce a limited quantity of wine (30,000 bottles a year) that is the fruit of careful selection, experimentation, and craftsmanship.

The Diatto-Negri family has owned Serradenari since the late 19th century. The local land register has a plan of the farmhouse dated September 30, 1880, and signed “Ravinale Filippo, geometer at La Morra.” The caption reads: “Serradenari, where there is about five days’ worth of Barolo and Barbera.”

The Diatto were entrepreneurs in Turin, where they produced Italy’s first automobile in the late 1800s. Serradenari was their country estate. Winemaking was a hobby for the Diattos. The Genesio family took care of the vineyards at Serradenari, while the Diattos tended to the exportation of the wine to New York.

Today, just as of yore, the vineyards cover 55,600 square meters, almost 14 acres, of land at altitudes varying from 450 meters (1,476 feet) to 530 meters (1,738 feet) above sea level. Serradenari’s are the highest altitude bunches of Nebbiolo grapes in the Barolo district. They yield “the world’s highest Barolo.” Meanwhile in the vineyards facing north, winemaker Roberto Cipresso is taking on the international challenge for Pinot Noir Bourgogne.

Serradenari comprises also 7.5 hectares (18.5 acres) of woods inhabited by foxes, wild boars, badgers, deer, hares, and owls. These woods are known in the Langhe as the finest of truffle-grounds where the local “trifulau,” or truffle hunters, come with their dogs to comb for this elusively scented tuber.

Welcome to Serradenari, then, where you will find open spaces and silence, vineyards and woods, and time past and present.






 
   




 
 


Interviewer: The farmhouse… They say that the farmhouse…
Giovanni Negri: …was chosen by my ancestor for, let’s say, romantic reasons.

I Reasons that can’t be discussed in the presence of ladies…
G.N. It depends. In any case, in the mid 19th century my great-great-grandfather, with two incorrigible bachelors from La Morra, was looking for a farmhouse with a nice view…

I Is that when Serradenari was discovered?
G.N. No. It’s one of the district’s most ancient sites. Its name dominates a medieval parchment that’s kept in the town hall. In the 1400s, in order to escape the plague, the peasants climbed on the highest crest, taking what little savings they had with them. When the plague was finally over, they returned to their village and built a monument to Saint Brigit. Today, it’s a nice little church.

I And the farmhouse fell into deep-slumber until the late 19th century?
G.N. Not at all. The fields below Serradenari are called Palice, the Italianized word for the Piedmontese “Pars,” which itself is a mispronunciation of the Latin word “pax,” or peace. In other words, although the peace treaty [of 1796, between the French and the Piedmontese] was signed at Cherasco, the battle itself took place here at Serradenari. I can almost say that Napoleon slept here in my house. Actually, I do say so: Napoleon certainly slept in my bedroom.

I My goodness! So after the plague and Napoleon, it was finally the damsels’ turn!
G.N. That’s right. Since the 19th century, the crest has belonged to the Ditto-Negri family, who manufactured automobiles in Turin. But for my great-great-grandfather it wasn’t enough to be the maker of the first Italian automobile. He had other passions too. He bought this farmhouse, with its breathtaking views on woods, vineyards and mountains. It was exactly what he needed.

I Who inherited the house?
G.N. My family did. My grandmother, Emma Diatto, with some other enthusiasts, invented the Barolo fair. The house then passed on to my father, Franco, mayor of La Morra—a good mayor, in my opinion. He built the aqueduct.

I Had your great-great-grandfather bought the 13 hectares (32 acres) of land on the other side of the crest, you would have become the owner of Cerequio, Brunate, and other historical crus.
G.N. So what?

I No hard feelings toward your great-great-grandfather?
G.N. Would you prefer a glass of great Barolo followed by a long debate over tannins and anthocyanins or a glass of great Barolo followed by, say, that wonderful view on the woods and the mountains?

I Got it. You’re a recidivist.
G.N. That’s right. Long live the great-great-grandfather!.

  


 

 

For more information please contact: info@serradenari.com Via Bricco del Dente 19 – 12064 La Morra (Cuneo) – Italy – Phone +39 0173 50119