Ercole Barbera del Monferrato 2023

Ercole is a line of everyday wines created by The Piedmont Guy, a U.S.-based importer focused exclusively on family-owned wineries from Piedmont. The name "Ercole"—Italian for Hercules—pays tribute to the cooperative of local growers in Monferrato whose collective effort makes these wines possible.

The cooperative model represents one of Italy's most important agricultural traditions. Small, independent growers—often families farming the same parcels for generations—contribute sustainably grown fruit to a shared facility where vinification and bottling take place under unified quality standards. These cooperatives safeguard native grape varieties and traditional winemaking methods that might otherwise fade as economics push toward consolidation.

The growers behind Ercole work predominantly with old vines ranging from 30 to 50 years of age. All participants adhere to the European Union's sustainable farming protocols known as "lotta integrata" or "lutte raisonnée," and many have achieved organic certification. The collective avoids systemic treatments and chemical inputs entirely, relying only on minimal applications of copper and sulfur—the traditional vineyard treatments permitted under organic standards.

In the cellar, the Barbera ferments in concrete tanks, a vessel that maintains stable temperatures and allows gentle extraction without imparting flavor. Stabilization occurs in stainless steel before bottling in January, preserving freshness and fruit character. Both vinification and bottling meet certified vegan standards, ensuring no animal-derived fining agents enter the process.

The one-liter bottle format reflects Ercole's positioning as an everyday wine—generous, approachable, and meant for sharing. This is Barbera as Piedmontese families have drunk it for generations: bright, food-friendly, and unpretentious.

Discover more from this importer and explore our Italian natural wine collection. Browse our best-selling natural wines for other cooperative-produced bottles offering authentic regional character at accessible prices.

Piedmont (Piemonte) occupies the northwestern corner of Italy, a region defined by the Alpine foothills to the north and west and the rolling hills of the Langhe and Monferrato to the south and east. While the region is internationally celebrated for Nebbiolo-based wines like Barolo and Barbaresco, Barbera represents the true everyday wine of Piedmont—what locals call "the people's wine."

Monferrato holds particular historical significance as the confirmed birthplace of the Barbera grape. This UNESCO World Heritage landscape stretches across the provinces of Asti and Alessandria, characterized by gentle hillsides, medieval villages, and a continental climate moderated by proximity to the Ligurian Sea. The soils here differ from the Langhe's limestone-heavy terrain; Monferrato's calcareous-clay composition contributes roundness and approachability to its wines.

The Barbera del Monferrato DOC encompasses vineyards planted predominantly on south-facing slopes, where the grape achieves full ripeness while retaining its signature acidity. Unlike the more prestigious Barbera d'Asti DOCG or Barbera d'Alba DOC, Monferrato wines tend toward lighter, more immediately drinkable styles—though the best sites produce wines of surprising depth.

Cooperative wineries have long formed the backbone of Monferrato's wine economy. These organizations allow small growers—often farming just a few hectares—to pool resources while maintaining traditional viticultural practices. Many cooperatives work with old vines planted decades ago, preserving genetic diversity and regional character that might otherwise disappear as industrial farming encroaches.

Sustainable farming has deep roots here. The European Union's "lotta integrata" (integrated pest management) provides the baseline, though increasing numbers of growers pursue organic certification. The region's dry summers and good ventilation reduce disease pressure, making low-intervention viticulture practical.

Explore our Piedmont wine collection and discover more natural red wines from this storied region.