BIANCHI di Pasquero Elia
Italy / Alto Piemonte
Producer Info
Young Luca Pasquero Elia – of Barbaresco’s PAITIN fame, & son of Giovanni Pasquero Elia – had been scouting for a plot of Alto Piemonte vineyard to rent in 2020, but ended up buying a 240 year old cantina with 10ha spread enticingly over the comunes of Sizzano, Ghemme, & Gattinara: la famiglia BIANCHI, who started bottling their wines in 1860, were insistent on keeping the estate intact, along with the family name; Luca was more than happy to oblige.
So in 2023 vintage Luca with his family were renting the BIANCHI vineyards, while in 2024 they became majority-shareholders in the estate. The BIANCHI cantine – the main one in Sizzano for Ghemme too + one in centre of Gattinara, as per the rules. They declassify their Sizzano fruit to ‘Rosso’, employing a homeopathic dose of Vespolina, plus they make a lemon-pith Erbaluce also from Sizzano, while the Rosato is 100% Nebbiolo, from declassified Gattinara Valferana fruit!
There’s the plummy 2023 Ghemme (100% Nebbiolo) from clay rich soils of the Baraggiole vineyard, think La Morra (!), while the focused, energetic (100% Nebbiolo) Gattinara comes from cru Valferana; their plot lies adjacent to that of Nervi/Conterno, so a good neighbourhood. Both vinified in (restored) cement, stainless-steel & botte, with Luca using his well-honed skill with the (bladder) press to ensure only the finest tannins slip through.
Wines
Colline Novaresi Bianco ‘Monte’
Coste della Sesia Rosa ‘Monte’
Colline Novaresi Rosso ‘Monte’
Ghemme Baraggiole
Gattinara Valferana