The Produttori del Barbaresco is a cooperative with a difference: it’s more of a members’ club, made up of fifty or so growers.  Membership of the Produttori is by invitation only.  Decanter’s Andrew Jefford describes it as “one of the world’s greatest wine cooperatives”.

The history of co-operative farming in Barbaresco dates back to 1894 and the “Cantine Sociali di Barbaresco”; the Produttori in its current form dates from 1958, founded by local priest Don Fiorino Marengo with 19 growers.  The first vintages were made and stored in the basement of the local church and, following some commercial success, construction of a proper winery began in 1960.  Today production stands at around 650,000 bottles annually and the Produttori is regarded as one of the finest producers in the region.

The wines are invariably brilliant from top to bottom.  Nine single vineyard wines are made, offered on release in mixed cases.  The bargain buy is the classic Barbaresco, a wine made from a selection of vineyards throughout the region, from all 54 of the growers.