Alto Piemonte: the land of Nebbiolo, between the Alps and the hills of Briona
Alto Piemonte: the land of Nebbiolo, between the Alps and the hills of Briona
Alto Piemonte wines are born in one of Italy’s most authentic and least-known winegrowing territories: hills, woodlands and vineyards spread across the provinces of Novara, Vercelli, Biella and Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, at the foot of Monte Rosa. In this lesser-known area of Piedmont, Nebbiolo expresses a unique identity — more vertical, mineral, and shaped by the proximity of the mountains. It is here, on the hills of Briona, that our family has cultivated the vine for over three centuries.
ONE TERRITORY, TEN APPELLATIONS
The climatic influence of Monte Rosa, the marked temperature swings and the fluvio-glacial soils give rise to a territory articulated into ten appellations: the DOCG Gattinara and Ghemme, and the DOC Boca, Bramaterra, Colline Novaresi, Coste della Sesia, Fara, Lessona, Sizzano and Valli Ossolane. The main grape variety is Nebbiolo, here also known as Spanna, often blended with Vespolina, Uva Rara and Croatina. Each appellation, however, has a different soil, and this diversity, contained within just a few dozen kilometers, is the true richness of Alto Piemonte.
Briona and Fara DOC
Heading south, in the Novara area, one finds Briona, the village where our winery is based, one of only two municipalities authorized to produce Fara DOC. The soils, of glacial and fluvial origin, rich in clay and silt at the surface and looser sand and pebbles at depth, ensure ideal natural drainage for the vine This pedological composition contributes to wines characterized by greater fruit expression, good concentration and aromatic richness. Nebbiolo-based wines are produced here, often blended with Vespolina and Uva Rara, enjoyable even in their youth yet capable of long-term evolution.
The earliest written records of vine cultivation in these courtyards date back to 1100, when the Caneva di San Gaudenzio stood here, the cellars that served the Diocese of Novara, the very same buildings where our winery is located today.
OUR WINERY IN ALTO PIEMONTE
Being a winery in Alto Piemonte means, to us, respect: for the territory, for native grape varieties, for the pace of tradition. We work our hectares of vineyard largely by hand, showcasing Nebbiolo, Vespolina, Uva Rara and a native white variety, which have always been cultivated on the hills of Briona.
The result is a collection of wines that tell the story of the territory from which they come: from Fara DOC, our most authentic expression, to Bigin, a pure Nebbiolo, through to Nina, Pianazzi, Valceresé, Lucia and Rosalbe.
Would you like to discover the Alto Piemonte territory firsthand and taste the wines born on these hills? Our winery, which also serves as the estate’s wine shop, has a tasting room available by appointment.