Terre del Gavi
TTerre del Gavi is a wild, secluded and private territory. As if it were suspended in time, crossed by winding rivers – Lemme, Scrivia and Orba – that outline majestic valleys, like no one had ever passed through them.
The soil bears the colors of Gavi, red and white stripes, the very same ones on the banner of Genoa, which controlled these lands from the Middle Ages to the early 19th century, strewing the territory with fortresses and castles.
Red clays, rich in iron, come from ancient alluvial deposits brought by the slow erosive action of rivers. These are found in northern Gavi, towards Tassarolo and Novi Ligure where they shape winding and flat hills rich in organic substance.
The white soils are hard and poor, urging the vine to find nourishment deep into the ground. Tuffaceous marls of marine origin, rich in microelements, they rise up to 400 meters forming much steeper hills characterized by a cooler and more ventilated microclimate. White soils are found in the central and southern part of the denomination, from the town of Gavi (where marls and clays meet) up to the tip of Bosio and Carrosio, on the border with Liguria.
THE LARGEST VINEYARD OF GAVI
Between red clays and white soils, marly and alluvial lands, the Produttori del Gavi cultivate an area of over 200 hectares that include all the latitudes of these hills, stretching over the 11 municipalities of the denomination.
This is the largest vineyard within the Terre del Gavi, a wine heritage offering exceptional landscape, cared for by the 80 members of the cooperative. Each member has his own vineyards, most of which are plots less than 4 hectares wide and are still cultivated by hand by over 95 local families.
DIFFERENT LANDS, ONE GREAT VINE
TThe richness of the Terre del Gavi, different soils and altitudes, as well as the constant interaction between Mediterranean and Apennine microclimates are the key elements that mold the area’s most important variety: the Cortese grape.
Just like how Langhe’s Nebbiolo knows how to “read” the lands where it is planted, Cortese masterfully adapts to its terroir, following the different environmental conditions and human actions to finally reveal a variety of nuances.
From the looser and more clayey soils of Novi Ligure, Serravalle Scrivia, Tassarolo, Pasturana and Capriata d'Orba, which yield full-bodied and well-structured Gavi, to the opulent Gavi from the valley of Lemme, on the southern tip of San Cristoforo and Francavilla Bisio, characterized by detritus-based soils mixed with sand and silt. But also, Gavi from the high and white lands of Parodi Ligure, Bosio and Carrosio. Climbing up the Apennines, the sea is much closer and Cortese grapes gain freshness from the Libeccio and minerality from the tuffaceous soil.
The highest quality that can be found in the Terre del Gavi is enclosed in the area on the border of the town of Gavi, the heart of the denomination and the ideal place where red clays and white soils meet, alternating with layers of sand and sandstone. These are the hills that yield Gavi del Comune di Gavi, the highest expression of these lands, the perfect embodiment of body and freshness, intense aromas and elegance.
TERRE DEL GAVI
TThe hills of Gavi can be divided into two macro areas.
GAVI DOCG
The largest and most complex area of the entire denomination. It stretches from north to south, including the towns of Novi Ligure, Serravalle Scrivia, Tassarolo, Pasturana, Francavilla Bisio, Capriata d'Orba, San Cristoforo, Parodi Ligure, Bosio and Carrosio. This macro area can further be divided based on the soils present here.
The highlands
The area of the highlands, to the north, rises from the plains of Alessandria. It is characterized by rolling hills that climb up to 200-250 meters. It has red soils, rich in iron, clay and organic substance. One of the most heavily planted areas in Gavi, most of our members' grapes come from here. In the vineyard, attention is focused on regulating the productivity of Cortese by carefully selecting the buds that will yield fruit in order to concentrate quality in just a few bunches.
The highlands are crossed by the Lemme River, which, along its course, accumulates clayey-silty deposits inlayed with reddish brown gravels with a medium to medium-fine texture. This area yield Gavi wines endowed with great body, unraveling floral aromas and delicate fruity notes.
Work in the vineyard is aimed at reaching the highest quality: we practice grassing between the rows, thinning and, if the vintage allows it, late harvest. The microclimate is warmer and more humid than others, but it also enjoys the winds that come from the sea.
The high white lands
Typical of the municipalities closest to the Apennines: Bosio, Carrosio and Parodi. The soil becomes hard and stony, made up of compact tuffaceous clays where vine roots struggle to sink in: these are poor and cold soils that can exceed 400 meters in height. Amidst these harsh conditions, the Cortese grape yield fine, elegant and mineral Gavi wines.
GAVI DEL COMUNE DI GAVI
This area is found right at the heart of the denomination, between the red soils of the highlands and the high and white lands located near the Apennines.
This is the so-called «central area» where clayey and tuffaceous marls alternate, giving rise to highly varied soils forming rolling hills that can exceed an altitude of 300 meters.
Historically, the area surrounding the town of Gavi is the most suitable for growing Cortese, the place where Gavi expresses its utmost qualities. The disciplinary also refers to it as the super-zone «Gavi del Comune di Gavi». On these hills, our members follow precise agronomic practices aimed at enhancing this area’s vocation to the fullest: selective thinning to concentrate quality in the remaining bunches, grassing of the inter-rows, use of organic fertilizers and lesser intervention in the vineyard to avoid soil compaction.
The result of all the hard work is revealed in Gavi wines endowed with extreme elegance, revealing intense saline hints and delicate fruity notes. The hills of the town of Gavi have been chosen to make an organic Gavi del Comune di Gavi, one of the few in the denomination. Five hectares cultivated in accordance with organic practices by a young partner in the area of Forneto, on a white and sandy land found on the left bank of the Lemme River.
