Founded in 1912 in the small hamlet of Garbelletto, just outside Castiglione Falletto, Sordo is one of the great family estates of the Langhe. Four generations have guided the winery, beginning with Giuseppe Sordo, who first planted vines and produced wine in the heart of Barolo country. The estate was transformed in the second half of the twentieth century by his son Giovanni, whose vision was to acquire exceptional vineyard sites across the region. At a time when many growers were focused on quantity, Giovanni recognised the importance of owning vineyards in the finest crus of Barolo, laying the foundations for the estate we know today.

Today, the winery is led by Giorgio Sordo and remains entirely family owned. What started as a small farm has grown into one of Piedmont's most significant vineyard holdings, with 53 hectares spread across the most prestigious communes of the Langhe and Roero, including Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d'Alba, Monforte d'Alba, Barolo, Novello, La Morra and Verduno. These holdings give Sordo access to an extraordinary range of terroirs, allowing the family to showcase the diversity of Nebbiolo through multiple single-vineyard bottlings.

What makes Sordo unique is its collection of Barolo crus. The estate produces wines from eight distinct MGA vineyards spread across five communes, including Monprivato, Villero, Rocche di Castiglione, Parussi, Gabutti, Perno, Ravera and Monvigliero. Few producers possess such a broad cross-section of the Barolo appellation, and fewer still maintain a consistent winemaking approach that allows each vineyard's character to speak so clearly.

Despite its size, Sordo remains firmly rooted in the traditional school of Piedmont. Fermentations are long, macerations are extended, and ageing takes place in large Slavonian oak botti rather than small French barriques. The philosophy is simple: great vineyards should define the wine. This approach produces Barolos of structure, longevity and authenticity, with each cru expressing the nuances of its origin rather than the influence of the cellar.

Alongside the flagship Sordo range sits Gioso, the family's sister label. While Sordo focuses on the great vineyard expressions of Barolo and the traditional wines of the Langhe, Gioso offers a more approachable introduction to Piedmont, sourcing fruit from carefully selected vineyards and producing wines such as Nebbiolo d'Alba, Barbera d'Alba and Barbaresco. Together, the two labels provide a comprehensive picture of the region, from everyday drinking wines through to some of the most age-worthy expressions of Nebbiolo in Italy.

More than a century after Giuseppe Sordo first tended vines in Castiglione Falletto, the family remains dedicated to the same goal: expressing the character of the Langhe through wines that honour tradition, place and the remarkable diversity of Piedmont's greatest vineyards.