November 18th: The Whites of Gaja: Piedmont, Tuscany and Sicily with Gian Domenico Intermaggio
At Vinonueva | 5145 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL, 33137 | 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Click HERE to get tickets
In partnership with Wilson Daniels
There is a quiet side to Gaja that many have yet to discover. While the estate’s red wines have shaped the story of Barbaresco and helped redefine Italian wine on the world stage, the white wines reveal another dimension entirely—one rooted in altitude, freshness, and a patient belief that Italian whites deserve a place among the great wines of the world.
Yet, when it comes to white wine, many drinkers hesitate. High-end Italian whites are often overshadowed by their red counterparts or compared directly to White Burgundy. And still, wines like Gaia & Rey, Rossj-Bass, and the whites from Ca’Marcanda and IDDA show how expressive, age-worthy, and deeply characterful Italian whites can be.
We will be joined for this walkthrough tasting by Gian Domenico Intermaggio from Gaja USA.
BACKGROUND
Founded in 1859 in Barbaresco, Piedmont; Gaja is one of Italy’s most renowned and influential wineries. Under Angelo Gaja—often called the “King of Barbaresco”—the estate reshaped not only the identity of Piedmont, but Italian viticulture as a whole. Gaja’s history is marked by innovation, an unwavering pursuit of quality, and the courage to break with tradition.
Although the winery built its worldwide reputation on red wines, the white wines are not to be overlooked. Today, the fifth generation—Gaia, Rosanna, and Giovanni—lead the estate.
Over time, the family has expanded beyond Piedmont and now also has estates in Tuscany and Sicily.
What connects these three properties is a defining style guided by sobriety and discretion—two principles that shape the wines and the philosophy behind them. Sobriety is expressed in the wines themselves, favoring drinkability, ageability, and freshness. It is also expressed in the vineyards, through minimal intervention and deep respect for the land, and in every aspect of their work.
As Gaia explains, they do not seek perfection—because perfection does not exist in nature, and without imperfection there would be no evolution. The goal is to work with the small imperfections of each vintage and vineyard and transform them into an expression of character. In their words, the aim is to produce wines that are different and that carry a strong personality.
Piedmont
In the 1980s, when Italy’s fame centered on red wines, Angelo Gaja believed that Piedmont could produce fine white wines with complexity and aging potential. He planted Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc in the region’s highest vineyards—and set a new direction for the estate’s whites.
Gaja produces three white wines in Piedmont: Gaia & Rey, a 100% Chardonnay, Rossj-Bass, a blend primarily of Chardonnay and Alteni di Brassica, a 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Tuscany
Gaja is also a leading name in Tuscany. In 1994, the family purchased Pieve Santa Restituta in Brunello di Montalcino, an estate located in a breezy, dry, and sunny area—conditions ideal for Sangiovese.
Two years later, in 1996, they began the Ca’Marcanda project in Bolgheri, along the Tuscan coast. They fell in love with Bolgheri immediately—its beauty feels effortless. The winery was designed from scratch and completed in 2000. The name Ca’Marcanda comes from a Piedmontese phrase meaning “the house of endless negotiations,” a reference to the long process of acquiring the property.
The estate is surrounded by olive trees, and the goal is to make wines that express the authentic character of Bolgheri. The wines show freshness from the cooling winds that flow between the mountains and the sea, and a natural creaminess from the intense coastal light—shaped not only by the sky above but also reflected from the sea's surface.
The white wine from Bolgheri is called Vistamare, made from Vermentino, Viognier and Fiano.
Sicily
Most recently, Gaja began a partnership with the Graci family, one of Etna’s most respected producers, to establish IDDA in Etna, Sicily, with a focus on white wines. Etna is home to some of the highest vineyards in Europe, with a harvest period that is among the latest on the continent.
By joining forces with Graci, they took a less conventional approach, planting on the southwest of the volcano, and instead of concentrating on Nerello Mascalese, which makes up roughly 80% of the region’s plantings, they chose to focus on Carricante. This grape can produce whites of vibrant electricity, depth, freshness, and long-term potential—qualities that align with their vision for the future of Italian white wine.
The name IDDA means “she” in Sicilian dialect—an affectionate way locals refer to Etna herself, understood not simply as a mountain, but as a living, breathing presence. As Angelo notes, Etna—like Langa—is a place where elegant, enigmatic, and intriguing wines can be made.
Check out the lineup for this tasting:
- Idda - Bianco Sicilia 2023
- Gaja - Ca'Marcanda - Toscana IGT 'Vistamare' 2023
- Gaja - Langhe 'Rossj-Bass' 2023
- Gaja - Langhe Alteni di Brassica 2023
- Gaja - Langhe 'Gaia & Rey' 2022
Photo Credits: Wilson Daniels