The winery is located in the municipality of Castagnole delle Lanze (province of Asti) in the Italian region of
Piedmont. The name means "top of the hill" and refers to the position of the first cellar in Castagnole Lanze. The farm was founded in 1977 by Giuseppe and Lidia Rivetti and is now owned by three brothers: Carlo, Bruno and Giorgio Rivetti. Giorgio is responsible for the vinification and is considered one of the great innovators in Piedmont. In the beginning, almost exclusively
Moscato d'Asti was produced, the first red wine called "Barbera Cà di Pian" was only produced in 1985.
In 2000, eight hectares of vineyards were purchased in Grinzane Cavour in the Barolo area and a wine cellar was built there. One year later, vineyards were purchased in Tuscany. There are three wineries, namely "La Spinetta" and (for Barolo) "La Spinetta Campè" in Piedmont and "La Spinetta Casanova" in Terricciola in Tuscany. The vineyards now cover a total of 165 hectares, 100 in
Piedmont and 65 in
Tuscany. The main varieties are Nebbiolo, Barbera, Sangiovese (in Tuscany), Sauvignon Blanc, Moscato and Chardonnay. There are constantly more than 60 workers employed, and at the time of the grape harvest there are many more.
The wines are mostly aged in new barriques made of French oak. Every year, around 1,000 barrique barrels are bought and sold again after being used once. Among the premium wines are the DOC or DOCG wines
Barbaresco in the three brands "Gallina Vursu", "Starderi Vursu" and "Valeirano Vursu",
Barbera d'Asti Superiore "Bionzo",
Barolo "Vursu Campé",
Langhe Bianco (with the Dürer lion on the label),
Monferrato Rosso "Pin" and
Moscato d'Asti. The label of the wines (except Barolo) is decorated with a rhinoceros, the drawing is by Albrecht Dürer. It is always questioned why exactly this animal was chosen, Giorgio's answer is:
"Because I have always liked the drawing". One could also associate the power of the animal with the powerful wines of the house. The Barolo is decorated with a lion, also drawn by Dürer. Around 450,000 bottles of wine are produced annually, over 40% of which is Moscato d'Asti. About 75% of the production is exported.
