Gaja Cà Marcanda

The legendary Barbaresco producer Gaja extended their empire from their home turf to Montalcino with Pieve Santa Restituta in the early nineties, then into Bolgheri creating Ca Marcanda from scratch in 1996. Since then they now have estates in Etna - Idda - and right now is engaging in a project in Alta Langa for making sparkling wines.

The story of Bolgheri begin in 1968 when Sassicaia was first created by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta (also originally from Piedmont) who saw the potential in French varieties for producing world class wines: Sangiovese has never really been as successful here as it has in Montalcino or Chianti Classico. When Gaja arrived there were 10 producers in Bolgheri, now there are 56, such is the interest in this region. Being one of the early ones, Gaja had the chance to snaffle the best vineyard sites.

The estate produces 4 wines: Vistamare, their white from Vermentino, Viognier and Fiano; Promis from Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah; Magari from the two Cabernets and Petit Verdot; and finally the flagship Camarcanda from Cabernet Sauvignon and a dash of Franc.

Although inspired by the greats of Bordeaux, the wines here have their own distinct Italianality