Infernot Cantina La Cà Nova

via Cei, 18b - 15034 Cella Monte (AL)
Tel. +39 333 954.4699
E-mail: cantinalacanova@gmail.com
https://lacanova.net/
Website: lacanova.net/

In 2014, UNESCO recognized the "Vineyard Landscapes of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato" as a World Heritage Site. The "Monferrato of the Infernots" is component number 6 of the UNESCO site.

The Infernot is a small underground chamber entirely carved into the rock, usually accessed from the cellar. In these small chambers, constant temperature and humidity, the absence of light, ventilation, and noise, once ensured ideal conditions for storing bottles of the finest wine.

These unique artifacts, small architectural gems, testimony to ancient rural knowledge, are found only in Monferrato. They were built between the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century by local inhabitants who carved into the bare rock with pickaxes and chisels according to their taste.

Each infernot is different: circular, square, or rectangular in plan, with multiple chambers or a corridor. The bottle racks are continuous levels, steps, or niches; the wall finishes can be smooth or naturally cleft. Many feature a central table carved into the rock, friezes, or embellishments.

They are made of Pietra da Cantoni, a sandstone typical of this area.