THE VINEYARDS

Vineyard: MARETTA locally known as MEROTE

Location: hillside vineyards above Ghemme

Orientation: East/West

Soil composition: the origin is alluvial from the deposits from the glacial river that ran down the valley from Monte Rosa. The soil is of average weight with some clay on a mixed rock base of relatively low density. The soil is relatively acidic, between 5 and 6 Ph

Grape variety: Nebbiolo, Vespolina, Autochthonous single grape variety as specified for our DOC wines and a few rows of Merlot

Layout: 2.50 m between rows and 1.00 m between vines

Vine training system: guyot

Harvesting: the vineyard is harvested in stages, starting with the Autochthonous single grape variety as specified for our DOC wines in the first half of September. The harvest is totally manual with selection of the best grapes in small crates with a maximum of 20 – 25 kg to minimise damage to the grapes

Note: The vineyard lies on the slopes of a fluvial terrace caused by the erosion of the River Sesia during the period when the glacier was melting. The vineyard, which is mainly used for our D.O.C. Colline Novaresi wines, covers approximately 45 acres of producing vines of our three grape varieties, Autochthonous single grape variety as specified for our DOC wines (10 acres) for Erbavoglio, Vespolina (8 acres) for Maretta and La Mostella, Nebbiolo (10 acres) for Ramale, Tre Confini and our rosé Barlan, and about 20 acres Ghemme D.O.C.G. Whilst not fully organic, the vineyards are treated with the maximum respect for the environment.

Vineyard: RONCO DELL’ULIVO locally known as PLUSCIANI

Position: hillside vineyard above Ghemme

Orientation: East/West

Soil composition: the soil is alluvial, left by the river from the glacial valley that ran down from Monte Rosa. The soil is quite heavy and has relatively high acidity of between 5 and 6 Ph

Grape variety: Nebbiolo, Vespolina

Layout: 2.50 m between rows and 1.00 m between vines

Vine training system: guyot

Harvesting: the vineyard is harvested in stages, starting with the Vespolina. The harvest is totally manual with selection of the best grapes in small crates with a maximum of 20 – 25 kg to minimise damage to the grapes

Note: The vineyard is on a steep but regular hill. The rows of vines are planted perpendicular to the slope, creating a spectacular optical effect in all seasons. This is the most emblematic vineyard of Ghemme, immediately visible from the winery. The vineyard, which covers an area of approximately 14 acres, is hand-tended and, although not organic, is farmed using best practices to ensure a minimum impact on the environment. It is this vineyard that usually provides the finest Nebbiolo grapes for our Ghemme D.O.C.G.

Vineyard: PONCIONI locally known as PUNCIÖN

Position: hillside vineyards, altitude approx. 300 m

Orientation: East/West

Soil comosition: alluvial soil from the glacial valley. A relatively heavy soil with clay but with a relatively stony base allows moderate drainage, above-average acidity of between 5 and 6 Ph

Grape variety: Nebbiolo, Vespolina and Bonarda Novarese (Uva rara)

Layout: 2.50 m between rows and 1.40m between vines

Vine training system: guyot

Harvesting: by stages, starting with Vespolina which matures early. Manual harvest with grape selection in crates of not more than 20 – 25 kg of grapes per crate to avoid bruising

Note: The Vineyard of Poncioni covers approximately 15 acres. Best ecologically sound practices are followed in this as in all our vineyards.

Position: hillside, altitude 260 m

Orientation: South-West, perfect for good exposure

Soil composition: local surface soil, subsoil of lime and clay with good drainage due to a rocky base of porphyry, syenite and quartz. Acidic soil with a ph between 5.5 / 6.5

Grape variety: predominantly Nebbiolo with a few rows of Vespolina and and Bonarda (‘Uva Rara’) from Gattinara

Layout: 2.40 m between rows and 1.20 m between vines

Vine training system: guyot

Yield: in general less than 2,000 kg per acre and less than 50% of full potential, to maximise quality by reduction

Harvesting: manual harvest with selection of only the best grapes, put into small crates containing a max. of 20-25 kg of grapes to ensure no bruising of the fruit

Note: This vineyard is in the heart of the hills behind Gattinara, an area known for the difficulty of cultivation due to the steep slopes, traditional layout of the vineyards and the harsh, stony soil. However although access is difficult, the slope of Jerbion itself is relatively limited and gentle. The vineyard is enhanced by a pergola designed by Luigi Francoli, former President of the company, that runs through the centre of the vineyard. It is in part from these vineyards of volcanic origin that Torraccia del Piantavigna obtains the grapes for its famous Gattinara D.O.C.G.

Vineyard: Lurghe

Location: hillside, altitude 250-300 m

Orientation: South-West

Soil Characteristics: of volcanic origin, rocky on a base of granite and porphyry. Rich in minerals and particularly iron which gives the soil veins of red colour

Grape variety: Nebbiolo

Layout: 2.50 m between rows and 1.00 m between vines

Vine training system: guyot

Yield: normally less than 2,000 kg per acre, less than 50% of potential due to stringent reduction to one bunch per stem to concentrate flavours and aromas into fewer grapes

Harvesting: late manual harvest in crates of no more than 20-25 kg of grapes to minimise damage

Note: Positioned at the top of one of Gattinara’s most renowned hills, west facing, this is one of the best locations in Gattinara. The hillside is steep, however, and all processes are carried out by hand. In addition, the soil is extremely hard and rocky, rendering the tending of the vineyard even more difficult. The Lurghe is planted with relatively young vines and although not organically cultivated, they are tended with methods to minimise any negative impact to the environment. The Lurghe, which covers only 2.5 acres, provides the best grapes for our Gattinara D.O.C.G.