Daniele Dinoia, proprietor of Villa Guelpa, in Sizzano. Daniele says "My kids are working in the vines - we never considered not farming organically."

Exciting New Wine from Alto Piemonte: Villa Guelpa

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It’s a real thrill to taste excellent new wine from Alto Piemonte – a region that’s been thoroughly scoured by importers and writers for years. But except for the great Kerin O’Keefe (at the time writing for the Wine Enthusiast) and Karen Ruocco, owner of the small but excellent importer called Five Flights, no one – inc yours truly – was paying any attention to Villa Guelpa. I’ve tasted a boatload of Alto Piemonte wines, but have been content to stick with the superb wines made by Colombera & Garella, so this is an exciting find. I am already looking forward to visiting…

Sizzano, Colline Novaresi, Dorzano (source of Villa Guelpa's Erbaluce - currently out of stock), Lessona                 

 

One of the really interesting things about Villa Guelpa is that they make wine from 3 of the 5 most important zones of Alto Piemonte; since the wines are produced in the same manner, each becomes a transparent lesson in terroir and the underlying geology. Add organic farming, and a generally elegant hand for unmanipulated wine making, and you have something that’s really special.

Villa Guelpa 2020 Colline Novaresi Nebbiolo

This is a ridiculously tasty, charming wine - ready (and easy) to drink; I can imagine it slightly chilled, poured with whatever you have on the grill... At 13 alcohol, it's very fresh and bright, with distinct ripe cherry fruit and wild herbs - just plain delicious, beautifully made wine. Jamie Wolff

  • red
  • 35 in stock
  • $21.99

  • Organic

Villa Guelpa 2019 Sizzano

70% Nebbiolo with 30% Vespolina (a relation or descendent of Nebbiolo which brings amplified red fruit and spicy / peppery notes to the blend). The soils are allluvial, with  large pepples; the vines are 25-40 years old. Grapes are organic, and fermentation is with indigenous yeasts; 12 days of maceration is followed by aging for 24 months in older 20HL Slavoinian botte. This yields a high-toned vibrant wine, with white pepper (from the Vespolina) and red berries, a hint of orange zest and rose - an elegant, complex, and delicious wine. Jamie Wolff

  • red
  • 18 in stock
  • $34.99

  • Organic
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Villa Guelpa 2019 Boca

90% Nebbiolo, 10% Vespolina, grown on volcanic, porphyry-rich soil; this is the first year that Villa Guelpa has bottled the wine, from less than an acre of 20 year-old vines. With 15 days of maceration, the wine brilliantly shows off the change of soils, producing a considerably more structured and deeper wine in comparison to the Sizzano. It's got great lift (and modest 13 alcohol) and is heady with classic Nebbiolo aromatics. This must be the most elegant Boca I can recall, with beautiful red fruit and lovely saline minerality, great balance and length. Another stellar wine from Villa Guelpa! Jamie Wolff

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $58.99

  • Organic

Villa Guelpa 2019 Lessona

100% Nebbiolo from 20 year-old vines on sandy gravel, with some clay in the  soil. What separates this wine from fine Barolo is the suave elegance of the tannins - they are more subtle and refined than just about anything the Langha can produce. I find it fascinating and as I write this I realize I'm going to have to buy some - I can't wait to try it again, Unmistakable Nebbiolo aromatics merge on the lifted and energetic palate to make a very special wine. Jamie Wolff

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $68.99

  • Organic