The first settlements in this area can be traced back to around when the Romans conquered Gaul. The very first certain references to this area and the name Cunico date back to the tenth century: there is a document dated 938 which records property from Villa Podonengo being restored to the church of Asti. Around another hundred years passed before the lords of Cunico began playing a part in the time-honoured disputes between the leading landed families of Italy and the Saxon emperors.

The economy is mainly based on wine production, as well as crops of wheat, corn, forage and beetroot. In this area there are particular spots of truffle-bearing land, which yield both black truffles and the much more highly prized white variety. Apart from crop farming there are also several cattle and pig farms. The company which produces one of the most prestigious grappas in Italy is based in Cunico.

CULTURAL TRADITIONS

The game of tamburello, which has been played in Cunico since the beginning of the 20th century, is now a well-rooted tradition: a team from Cunico has always featured in championships and tournaments. There is also a theatre company, “La Cioenda”, which performs in dialect, and aims to rediscover and promote the local linguistic heritage: it publishes a yearly almanac in the local dialect known as “L’Armanach dla Cioenda”.