Founded in 1878 by Italy’s Royal Family, the Mirafiore winery is the estate that gave Barolo its nickname: “The King of Wines, the Wine of Kings.” It is named after Emanuele Alberto Guerrieri di Mirafiori, the son of King Vittorio Emanuele II, the first monarch to rule after Italy’s unification and the first to make wine on what would become the E. Mirafiore estate (“Casa di E. Mirafiore” is the official name of the winery). The King bequeathed the property to Emanuele upon his death and it was the son who would ultimately grow its fame and global reach making him a Barolo pioneer and one of the first Italian winemakers to ship its wines abroad. Certified organic since 2018, Mirafiore sources the fruit for its wines from estate-owned vineyards primarily in Serralunga d’Alba commune, one of the appellation’s top growing zones, known for the power and longevity of the wines it produces. The estate also owns rows in two of Barolo’s most famous crus, Lazzarito and Paiagallo. The winemaking style is strictly traditional. The winemaker uses submerged cap maceration to achieve the wine’s classic color and tannic structure. Extended aging in large-format Slavonian casks (Barolo’s famous “botti”) gives the wine the appellation’s signature nuance and depth.
Did you know?
Barolo is called “the king of wines and wine of kings” because of the Mirafiore estate and its historic association with Italy’s royal family. The beautiful winery and grounds are one of Piedmont’s most popular wine tourism destinations.