Ettore Germano
It’s a story about family and land…
Serralunga d’Alba is the historical heart of Barolo: it’s where the Cantina Ettore Germano is located. 4 generations of men are working to give you the best of their land. The vineyard is the starting point of everything: their identity as their predecessors worked here and their successors will also. Today, Sergio Germano is managing the estate where the team, even if not sharing the same blood, is also part of the family. In the beautiful landscapes of Langhe, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they are producing wine with passion.
Why have you decided to become a winemaker?
“I always loved working in the vineyards. I graduated from the Enological School in 1985. During my studies I had a chance to work with good winemakers who were looking for quality in their wines, working responsibly both in the vineyards and in the winery, with little intervention to express better the grapes and the terroir. I always loved the region and its traditions. I was lucky to live and work at the time when Nebbiolo and Piemonte started to gain attention and popularity.”
What are the distinctive characteristics of your wines?
“My sparkling wines are always high in acidity, mineral, saline and vibrant, very gastronomic. I think that it is very important for white and sparkling wines to be fresh and make you want to drink another glass. For the reds it is elegance and finesse. We already have a terroir that is powerful, that’s why in our approach to winemaking we are looking for freshness and subtility. When I sometimes taste wines from other producers, they seem a bit too bold, too much.”
What are your future projects?
“ I have already done a lot! I am at the end of my project, but I will continue to follow my philosophy – never to be fully satisfied and look for improvements. Also the climate is changing as well as the taste of a consumer. I will continue to make artisan wine, without a strict protocol, implementing better, more sustainable techniques in my work.”
