The Story
When Angelo Gaja planted Sauvignon Blanc in the heart of Barbaresco in 1983, it was viewed by local traditionalists as sheer heresy. The Langhe had built its centuries-old reputation almost exclusively on red grapes, reserving its prized limestone-clay marls for Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto. Yet, consistent with Gaja’s pioneering spirit—which had already seen the daring introduction of Chardonnay with Gaia & Rey in 1979—the family set out t...
Vintage 2023
In Italy, mildew dominated the wine landscape in 2023. May and June brought plenty of rain, which was ideal for the spread of Peronospora in southern and central Italy. Many winegrowers reacted too late, which meant that large areas were affected. In the north, powdery mildew caused problems. A hot September with temperatures above 30 degrees led to further losses. Across the country, losses were well over 20% compared to the previous year. Tu...
