Gaudio Bricco Mondalino

Gaudio Bricco Mondalino was founded in 1973 in the province of Alessandria. Still family run today, the winery has 44.5 acres under vine and concentrates on local varieties only.

HISTORY

The Gaudio family has been making Monferrato wine for three centuries. Though estate bottling began in 1973 under Amilcare Gaudio, the present owner Mauro’s father, who still works alongside his wife Gabriella and his daughter Beatrice. Bricco Mondalino takes its name from the highest point in the Mondalino hill, bricco meaning hilltop in the local dialect. Today the vineyards cover 45 acres, all in elevated, sunny positions on white calcareous soils, rich in fossilized seashells and marine deposits. The vineyards enjoy a favorable microclimate and
good rainfall (approximately 16 inches per year). Bricco Mondalino focuses on producing native varieties and has an average production of 100,000 bottles per year. Recently, the winery went through significant innovations, starting with vineyard management. Mauro Gaudio explains that “Global warming has brought about a constant increase in alcohol, and we want to make sure there’s quality and concentration without alcoholic excess. In other words, we want to contain
alcohol levels for maximum elegance.” The family also completely overhauled the cellar,
investing heavily in new equipment, such as new stainless-steel vats, a new refrigeration system, new harvest containers, and a brand new tasting room with seating for 60, overlooking the barrique cellar. They have invested in renewable energy like solar panels, electric tools for vineyard management (battery charged), natural compost and green manure.

TERROIR

The vineyards feature pressed clay that formed 60,000 years ago, during Miocene era. What differs could be the quantity of limestone, more or less due to the presence of seashells in the soil.
In Vignale Monferrato the soils are highly calcareous, with of pH over 8, very few traces of sand, and colors among grey/white/yellow (some limestone). In Casorzo, the types are mainly very red, or very white, depending on the calcareous pebbles that can come out in some spots. The differences are simple: more limestone means minerality, meatiness, herbs, spiciness,
high acidity, high polyphenols concentration (structure and color) while less means, fruitiness, softness, balanced acidity, and good structure. All the vineyards enjoy a favorable microclimate and good rainfall (approximately 16 inches per year). Bricco Mondalino focuses on producing native varieties as well as doing almost everything by hand in the vineyards. This allows them to reduce the use of tractors and therefore the CO2 emissions and the adverse effects of compacting the soil. Horses help to fertilize the vineyards. Because of the techniques used in the
vineyard, the family can grow small grape clusters that produce high-quality wines.