Azienda Agricola Cascina Casinò

Cascina Casinò is a small family azienda agricola in the hills just outside Nizza Monferrato, and by its own account it's been making wine here for more than forty years. Like most of its neighbours in this corner of the Asti hills, it works Barbera above all — the grape behind the Nizza and Barbera d'Asti appellations.

Don't expect a slick welcome. The estate keeps a very low profile, with no website and the phone the surest way to reach it, and there's no confirmed word on scheduled tastings. Call before you drive out.