Winemaker Notes
The story of the Gagliardo family is a testament to a legacy of knowledge and expertise, first cultivated in Piedmont's famed Langhe zone in 1847. A century and a half later, a determined young man named Gianni Gagliardo carried that torch, establishing the winery as we know it today in 1973. Now, the sixth generation—his sons Stefano, Alberto, and Paolo—are the devoted guardians of the estate, deeply involved in every step of the process of the original family project.
Their work is an art form rooted in a deep understanding of the land, the renowned Barolo region in Piedmont. Over the years, the Gagliardo family has carefully acquired vineyards throughout all the Barolo region the estate now boasts 8 Barolo Cru vineyards in 5 villages, spanning approximately 26 acres in Langhe and 23 acres in Roero, producing some of the finest wines in the area.
The Gagliardo are masters of their terroir, and their philosophy is to allow each individual vineyard to speak for itself. This dedication allows them to express the truest character of the Nebbiolo grape, creating complex but not complicated wines that are a pure, elegant, and balanced expression of their unique origins. For the Gagliardo family, every single vine is important, every single parcel is unique, and every detail makes the difference.
The family's pioneering spirit extends beyond their iconic Barolos. They have also been at the forefront of a major project, pioneering the revival of the inland Vermentino, the Favorita, a classic Italian white grape. This commitment to both the established and the forgotten speaks to their unwavering pursuit of purity and expression in every single wine they create and their deep connection to the purest Italian roots.
There are hundreds of white grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles.
Set upon a backdrop of the visually stunning Alps, the enchanting and rolling hills of Piedmont are the source of some of the country’s longest-lived and most sought-after red wines. Vineyards cover a great majority of the land area—especially in Barolo—with the most prized sites at the top hilltops or on south-facing slopes where sunlight exposure is maximized. Piedmont has a continental climate with hot, humid summers leading to cold winters and precipitation year-round. The reliable autumnal fog provides a cooling effect, especially beneficial for Nebbiolo, Piedmont’s most prestigious variety.
In fact, Nebbiolo is named exactly for the arrival of this pre-harvest fog (called “nebbia” in Italian), which prolongs cluster hang time and allows full phenolic balance and ripeness. Harvest of Nebbiolo is last among Piedmont's wine varieties, occurring sometime in October. This grape is responsible for the exalted Piedmont wines of Barbaresco and Barolo, known for their ageability, firm tannins and hallmark aromas of tar and roses. Nebbiolo wines, despite their pale hue, pack a pleasing punch of flavor and structure; the best examples can require about a decade’s wait before they become approachable. Barbaresco tends to be more elegant in style while Barolo is more powerful. Across the Tanaro River, the Roero region, and farther north, the regions of Gattinara and Ghemme, also produce excellent quality Nebbiolo.
Easy-going Barbera is the most planted grape in Piedmont, beloved for its trademark high acidity, low tannin and juicy red fruit. Dolcetto, Piedmont’s other important red grape, is usually ready within a couple of years of release.
White wines, while less ubiquitous here, should not be missed. Key Piedmont wine varieties include Arneis, Cortese, Timorasso, Erbaluce and the sweet, charming Muscat, responsible for the brilliantly recognizable, Moscato d'Asti.