Gattinara

Made from at least 90% Nebbiolo (Spanna), with optional Vespolina and Uva Rara. Minimum 35 months aging (24 in wood), 47 for Riserva. The volcanic soils impart a distinctive mineral, iron-tinged character alongside classic Nebbiolo aromas of rose, tar, and dried fruit.

Gattinara's history begins in the northern Piedmont region, where Nebbiolo (locally called Spanna) has been cultivated for centuries. The region's unique terroir—volcanic soils, high altitude, and continental climate—creates Nebbiolo with distinctive power and structure. The appellation received formal recognition in 1967 as DOC, then elevation to DOCG in 1990, codifying the production zone around Gattinara and quality standards. Gattinara's distinctive character comes from the region's unique terroir—volcanic soils, high altitude, and continental climate—which creates Nebbiolo with power and structure. The wine's international reputation grew in the 1980s-1990s, when it became recognized as one of Italy's finest Nebbiolo wines, celebrated for its power and aging potential. Today, Gattinara represents one of northern Italy's finest Nebbiolo expressions, with the wine's power and structure making it a favorite among wine enthusiasts seeking serious, age-worthy reds.

Gattinara production follows strict DOCG regulations. The wine must contain minimum 90% Nebbiolo (Spanna), with up to 10% Bonarda and/or Vespolina. Harvest typically occurs in late October, when Nebbiolo has achieved optimal ripeness in the high-altitude vineyards. The grapes are harvested by hand, then destemmed and crushed before transfer to fermentation vessels. Fermentation occurs at controlled temperatures (25-28°C) with extended maceration on skins for 15-20 days, extracting maximum color, tannin, and structure. The wine must age minimum 35 months before release (24 months in wood), with Riserva requiring 47 months minimum aging (36 months in wood). Traditional producers favor large Slavonian oak botti, while modernists may use French barriques. The wine must achieve minimum 12% alcohol and pass quality controls. The wine's power and structure come from the region's unique terroir—volcanic soils, high altitude, and continental climate—which creates Nebbiolo with distinctive character and exceptional aging potential.

Gattinara represents Piedmont's winemaking tradition, a wine that demonstrates the region's capacity for producing powerful, age-worthy Nebbiolo. In Piedmont homes and restaurants, Gattinara flows at special occasions, its power and structure making it a prized wine. For Piedmont residents, Gattinara represents the region's unique terroir, a wine that honors Nebbiolo tradition while expressing the northern Piedmont region's distinctive volcanic soil character.