Piedmont

Gaja: The Visionary Architect of Modern Italian Wine Gaja is a name that commands respect in every corner of the wine world. Often credited with single-handedly bringing Italian wine into the modern era, the Gaja family has transformed the small village of Barbaresco into a global destination for luxury, innovation, and some of the most sought-after Nebbiolo-based wines on the planet. The Legacy of Angelo Gaja: A Radical Transformation Founded in 1859 by Giovanni Gaja, the estate’s true transformation began in 1961 when Angelo Gaja, the fourth generation, joined the family business. At a time when Piedmontese wine was rustic and traditional, Angelo introduced revolutionary changes that many locals considered scandalous: The Introduction of Barriques: He was the first in the region to use small French oak barrels for aging Nebbiolo. International Varieties: He famously planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc in the heart of Nebbiolo country, creating iconic wines like Darmagi and Gaia & Rey. Green Harvesting: He pioneered the practice of thinning out grapes during the growing season to ensure that the remaining fruit reached peak concentration and quality. The Terroir: The Soul of the Langhe While Gaja has expanded significantly, the heart of the estate remains in the Langhe hills of Piedmont. Nebbiolo Mastery: Gaja’s Barbaresco is legendary for its finesse, power, and longevity. The estate is famous for its "cru" or single-vineyard bottlings—Sorì San Lorenzo, Sorì Tildìn, and Costa Russi—which are considered the "Grand Crus" of Italy. Micro-Terroir Focus: Each vineyard site is chosen for its unique soil composition—mostly calcareous marl and limestone—which gives Gaja wines their signature vertical structure and ethereal aromatics. Why Gaja Defines Luxury and Innovation For the GrapeYear community, Gaja represents the ultimate blend of avant-garde thinking and deep-rooted heritage. Here is why Gaja is an essential part of any serious collection: The "Quality First" Philosophy: Gaja is notorious for refusing to bottle their top wines in poor vintages. If the quality isn't perfection, the wine is sold off in bulk or downgraded, protecting the brand's legendary status. Global Expansion: Angelo and his daughters, Gaia and Rossana, have expanded the Gaja vision beyond Piedmont. From Pieve Santa Restituta in Montalcino and Ca' Marcanda in Bolgheri to their newest venture, IDDA on Mount Etna, the "Gaja touch" produces world-class excellence in every region. The "Super Piedmont" Pioneer: By intentionally labeling some of his top single-vineyard wines as "Langhe DOC" rather than the more restrictive Barbaresco DOCG for many years, Angelo proved that the producer's name and the quality of the vineyard were more important than bureaucratic classifications. Iconic Wines to Watch Gaja Barbaresco DOCG: The flagship and the family’s signature. A masterpiece of balance, featuring notes of wild roses, tar, and dark cherries. Sorì Tildìn: One of the world’s most expensive and prestigious Nebbiolos, known for its incredible aromatic complexity and silk-like tannins. Gaia & Rey: Named after Angelo’s daughter and grandmother, this was the first iconic Chardonnay produced in Piedmont, often compared to the finest Montrachets of Burgundy. Promis (Ca' Marcanda): A lush and approachable Merlot/Syrah/Sangiovese blend from their Bolgheri estate, representing the modern side of the family’s portfolio. A Family-Led Future Today, the winery is managed by Angelo's children—Gaia, Rossana, and Giovanni. They continue to uphold the family’s uncompromising standards while focusing on climate change adaptation and sustainable viticulture, ensuring that Gaja remains at the pinnacle of the wine world for the next 26 generations.

Vietti: Where Piedmontese Tradition Meets Artistic Innovation Vietti is a cornerstone of the Langhe, a winery that seamlessly blends deep historical roots with a revolutionary spirit. Based in the medieval village of Castiglione Falletto, in the heart of the Barolo zone, Vietti is celebrated not only for its world-class wines but also for its profound influence on the culture of Piedmontese viticulture. A Legacy of "Firsts" The Vietti family’s winemaking history dates back to the 19th century, but the estate’s modern fame was forged by Luciana Vietti and Alfredo Currado. Alfredo, a visionary winemaker, was instrumental in two major shifts that changed the region forever: The Father of Arneis: In the 1960s, the white Arneis grape was nearly extinct. Alfredo spent years searching for the last remaining vines and single-handedly saved the variety, earning Vietti the nickname "The Father of Arneis." The Cru Concept: Vietti was one of the first producers in Barolo to vinify and bottle wines from single, specific vineyards (Crus) in 1961, emphasizing the unique terroir of each plot long before it became a regional standard. The Terroir: A Map of Barolo’s Finest Vietti’s strength lies in its incredible diversity of vineyard holdings. They own some of the most prestigious "Grand Cru" sites across the Barolo appellation: Rocche di Castiglione: The estate’s signature Barolo, known for its explosive aromatics and elegance. Brunate & Lazzarito: High-altitude sites that produce powerful, structured wines with immense aging potential. Ravera: A cooler site in Novello that yields wines of incredible tension and bright acidity. Why Vietti Stands Out: The Art of the Label For collectors on GrapeYear, a bottle of Vietti is as much a visual masterpiece as it is an olfactory one. Since 1974, the estate has featured the "Art Labels"—specially commissioned works by renowned artists (such as Gianni Gallo and Robert Rauschenberg). Collectability: Each label is designed to reflect the spirit of the vintage and the wine, making Vietti bottles some of the most recognizable and sought-after in the world. Limited Editions: The Art Labels are reserved for specific wines and quantities, turning every release into a cultural event for the wine community. Tasting the Portfolio: Consistency Across Varieties While Barolo is the crown jewel, Vietti’s dedication to quality extends to every wine they produce: Barolo Castiglione: The estate’s "standard" Barolo is anything but standard; it is a blend of several small vineyard lots, offering a complete and classic picture of the region. Barbera d’Asti "La Crena": A powerful, old-vine Barbera that proves this variety can rival the complexity of Nebbiolo. Roero Arneis: The wine that started the white wine revolution in Piedmont—crisp, floral, and mineral-driven. Moscato d’Asti: Widely considered one of the finest expressions of the grape, balancing sweetness with refreshing acidity. The Vietti Philosophy Today, under the guidance of the Krause family and the long-standing winemaking team, Vietti continues to follow a philosophy of minimal intervention. By using organic farming practices and traditional large Slavonian oak casks for aging, they ensure that the "voice" of the vineyard is never muffled by technology or excessive oak.