Gaja

Why we follow Gaja

The estate

The most internationally famous name in Piedmont. Angelo Gaja transformed the family estate and, alongside Giacosa, established Barbaresco as the equal of Barolo. Sorì San Lorenzo was among Barbaresco's first single-vineyard wines with the 1967 vintage, followed by Sorì Tildìn in 1970 and Costa Russi in 1978. His daughter Gaia Gaja now leads, with her siblings Rossana and Giovanni.

The vineyards

Sorì means a south-facing hillside in dialect. Sorì San Lorenzo is named for the patron saint of Alba's cathedral and was church property until the Gaja family bought it in 1964. Costa Russi is about 4 hectares directly below Sorì Tildìn, on limestone clay and marl, with vines over 65 years old. Beyond Barbaresco the family holds Barolo sites for Sperss and Conteisa, and estates in Tuscany.

In the glass

Gaja was among the first to engage Simonit & Sirch, in 2004, for their pruning method, which minimises wounding of the vine and extends its productive life. New oak influence has been dialled back markedly. Planting Chardonnay inside the Barbaresco zone at Treiso in the early 1980s was considered close to heresy; Gaia & Rey is now regarded as one of Italy's great whites. The 2013 Sorì San Lorenzo, the return-to-Barbaresco vintage, took 100 points from James Suckling and 97 from Monica Larner at The Wine Advocate.

With Lamont’s

Offered through the Private Cellar Selection. Register your interest and we will contact you when the next allocation is confirmed.