Gaja Barola Conteisa, Piedmont, Italy 2013

Nestled on a steep hill in Langhe is the quaint village of Barbaresco, where the renowned GAJA winery resides. The essence of GAJA Winery lies in its founding principle: crafting unique wines that embody their origin, reflecting the heritage and customs of their creators. This belief has guided five generations towards excellence in winemaking. The journey began more than 150 years ago when Giovanni Gaja established a small eatery in Barbaresco, creating wine to complement his dishes. In 1859, he founded the Gaja Winery, producing some of Piedmont's earliest bottled wines distributed beyond the region. Each generation, notably Clotilde Rey - Angelo Gaja's grandmother, has left an indelible mark on the winery through their commitment to uncompromising quality. In 1961, Angelo Gaja embarked on a mission to elevate the winery further by introducing barriques - 225-liter French oak barrels. Under his leadership, GAJA led the way in crafting single-vineyard designated wines and planting non-traditional varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc in Piedmont. His efforts also contributed significantly to raising Nebbiolo grape's status globally. Today, Angelo Gaja collaborates with his children Gaia and Rossana along with son Giovanni – representing the fifth generation of the GAJA family. Together they uphold and advance the winery's rich heritage. All GAJA wines are meticulously crafted from grapes grown exclusively in estate-owned vineyards spanning across Barbaresco and Barolo districts as well as estates in Pieve Santa Restituta (Montalcino) and Ca’Marcanda (Bolgheri). It is within these revered vineyards and their unique terroir that GAJA wines truly express their essence and character."