Cantina Sociale di Gattinara - Gattinara 2015

The cantina sociale (local cooperative) has been a critical lifeline to small grape growers since the inception of modern winemaking throughout Italy. In particular, Cantina Sociale di Gattinara, founded in 1908, has offered families from the zone of Gattinara a steady path to continued independence and stewardship of the land. Forty families care for their own tiny plots, which total 15 hectares of vines rooted in the zone’s pure volcanic soils. Descending into the cantina’s historic cellar with its cement tanks and botti tucked beneath the centuries-old city center of Gattinara is like traveling back in time. Today, the cantina produces approximately 2,000 cases of wine annually. The resulting wines display a simple elegance and purity as well as a palpable connection to over 100 years of production.

Hand-harvested grapes are destemmed prior to a soft pressing. Native fermentation takes place in a combination of large oak casks and cement tanks without temperature control. In these vessels, maceration lasts up to 30 days. Secondary fermentation occurs naturally in the same vessels. Aging is a minimum of five years in Slavonian botti of 20 hl or larger followed by at least one additional year in cement tanks. Finally, the wine spends a minimum of six months in bottle prior to release. 

The color is bright ruby ​​red, typical of Nebbiolo from Alto Piemonte. The nose has crushed red fruits, violets and spices, in the mouth it has an excellent structure with silky tannins and a great balance of freshness. Smooth finish that persists for a while. 

Producer: Cantina Sociale di Gattinara

Country: Italy

Region: Alto Piemonte

Varietal: Nebbiolo

Appellation: Gattinara 

Vintage: 2015

Size: 750ml