Italy · Piedmont

Sottimano

Sottimano is a family domaine in Neive, in the heart of the Barbaresco DOCG, run by Rino Sottimano and his children since a 1990s modernization that saw the estate move to French oak barriques and more precise vineyard selection. The estate's four Barbaresco crus — Fausoni, Currà, Cottà, and Pajorè — all appear prominently in the 322-lot auction record, each expressing distinct terroir within the Neive commune. Pajorè, planted on limestone-rich soils at elevation, consistently produces the most structured and age-worthy wine; Currà on blue-grey Helvetian clay tends toward floral aromatics and silk texture; Fausoni and Cottà occupy the middle ground. At $120 average per bottle, Sottimano sits firmly in the mid-range of the Barbaresco secondary market — below the classified estates of Gaja and Bruno Giacosa but above generic Langhe producers. The Bric del Salto, a blend of younger-vine material from across the estate's holdings, functions as the entry point while the single-vineyard wines anchor auction interest. Vintages from 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019 draw the most competitive bidding. Rino Sottimano's son Andrea has increasingly taken over winemaking duties, ensuring generational continuity.