Marco Maria Crivelli’s ancestors moved to Castagnole Monferrato—in the hills of  Basso Monferrato Astigiano, an area particularly suited to  grape growing — from the nearby hamlet of Serra Crivelli, establishing a small farm in 1860. The area’s soils, rich in minerals and organic substances, originate from the ancient seabed that covered these hills millions of years ago. By 1919, the family had planted vineyards and sold grapes until the late 1980s, when they started bottling their own wines under Marco’s direction. Today, Marco is the president of a small group of farmers who fervently believe in the excellence of Ruché, a rare grape varietal indigenous to the province of Asti, and it is his son Jonathan who is at the helm of this critically acclaimed, sustainable winery and 10 hectares of vineyards.