Contratto is one of Italy’s most historic and influential producers of sparkling wine, vermouth, and aperitifs, a house whose legacy stretches back more than 160 years. Founded in 1867 by Giuseppe Contratto in the hilltop town of Canelli, Piedmont, Contratto helped shape the very foundations of Italian sparkling wine production and remains a benchmark for traditional-method wines and aperitivo culture today.

Long before Italy became internationally known for Prosecco, Contratto was pioneering the production of Metodo Classico sparkling wines, crafted using the same bottle-fermentation techniques employed in Champagne. The winery’s vast underground cellars, carved deep into the limestone beneath Canelli, were designed specifically for the long aging of sparkling wines and today are recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato. These historic cellars remain among the most remarkable wine-aging environments in Italy.

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Contratto became synonymous with luxury and refinement, earning prestigious international acclaim and supplying sparkling wines to royal households across Europe and the Vatican. Their reputation for quality was so significant that Contratto was one of the first Italian wineries to export sparkling wine globally, helping establish Italy's presence on the world stage.

While sparkling wine remains central to the estate, Contratto is equally revered for its role in the history of vermouth and aperitifs. Drawing from centuries-old Piedmontese recipes, the house produces a range of vermouths, bitters, and aperitivo liqueurs crafted from carefully selected herbs, roots, spices, and citrus peels. These products have become favorites among bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts worldwide, celebrated for their balance, complexity, and authenticity. Unlike many modern aperitif brands, Contratto continues to emphasize natural ingredients and traditional production methods, preserving the character that made these beverages iconic in the first place.

A defining moment in the winery’s modern history came when it was acquired by Giorgio Rivetti and the La Spinetta family, one of Piedmont’s most respected wine-producing families. Under their stewardship, Contratto underwent a renaissance, returning its focus to premium Metodo Classico sparkling wines and historically inspired aperitifs while preserving the estate’s remarkable heritage.

Today, Contratto’s sparkling wines are produced primarily from Pinot Nero and Chardonnay, sourced from high-altitude vineyards across Piedmont. Extended lees aging, meticulous blending, and minimal intervention create wines of elegance, finesse, and remarkable aging potential. Their wines are known for combining the richness and structure of traditional-method sparkling wine with the freshness and minerality unique to the region.

Contratto represents far more than a winery or spirits producer. It is a living piece of Italian beverage history, where tradition, craftsmanship, and innovation coexist. From pioneering Italian sparkling wine in the 19th century to helping revive authentic aperitivo culture in the 21st, Contratto continues to embody the sophistication, artistry, and timeless appeal of Piedmont. Every bottle carries not only exceptional quality but also a legacy that helped define how Italy celebrates, toasts, and gathers around the table.