Vigneto Montestefano Barbaresco De Forville 1978
Produced by De Forville, a winery established in 1860, the Vigneto Montestefano Barbaresco is a classic Italian red wine. It is made from Nebbiolo, a premier Italian grape variety predominantly cultivated in Barolo, Barbaresco, and the wider Piedmont region. This particular release is from the 1978 vintage, a year that achieved a score of 95 points and is recognized as legendary, defined by its power, structure, and balance.
The wine originates from the Vigneto Montestefano vineyard within Barbaresco, located in the Langhe hills east of Alba. Barbaresco is a historic Nebbiolo area, with production primarily focused around the municipalities of Barbaresco, Neive, Treiso, and San Rocco Seno d’Elvio. It is widely regarded as an elegant counterpart to Barolo. The area is situated in the prestigious Piedmont region in northwestern Italy, a name that literally translates to "at the foot of the mountain," reflecting its position surrounded by the Alps.
Piedmont is celebrated for its small, family-driven wineries and a profound dedication to terroir, highlighting the influence of soil and microclimate on the vines. The dramatic, steep hills of the Langhe subregion are often blanketed in thick morning fog during the autumn months, a natural feature that protects the grapes and facilitates a long, steady ripening process. Produced and bottled by De Forville, this 1978 Barbaresco holds the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) classification and the V.Q.P.R.D. designation, certifying it as a quality wine produced in a specific region.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Piedmont
Piedmont (which literally means "at the foot of the mountain") is located in northwestern Italy, surrounded by the Alps. It is considered one of the world's absolute most prestigious wine regions. The area is known for small, passionate, family-run wineries and a huge focus on terroir (how the soil and microclimate affect the wine).
Classic characteristics of Piedmont:
The royal wines: This is where the world-famous, complex and expensive red wines Barolo and Barbaresco come from (both made from 100% Nebbiolo).
Everyday heroes: In addition to Nebbiolo, the region is famous for the grapes Barbera (juicy, acidic and incredibly popular) and Dolcetto (dark, soft and fruity).
The white and sweet: Piedmont also makes the crisp white wine Gavi and the famous, lightly sparkling dessert bubbles Moscato d'Asti.
The landscape: Dramatic, steep hills – especially in the Langhe sub-area. The hills are often shrouded in thick morning mist in autumn, which protects the grapes and allows for a long, perfect ripening.
Gastronomy: An absolute mecca for food lovers. The area is world famous for the exclusive white truffles from Alba, hazelnuts and rich, simmered dishes that scream with a glass of local red wine.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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How it handles
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Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
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