An Introduction to GAJA Properties

For the past five generations, the Gaja family has been committed to a singular purpose: to create authentic, terroir-expressive wines reflecting the tradition and culture of the region. This purpose is a common thread connecting the family’s namesake property in Piedmont to their three benchmark wineries throughout Italy – Pieve Santa Restituta in Montalcino, Ca’Marcanda in Bolgheri, and IDDA on Mount Etna.

Located in Piedmont, the GAJA winery is widely considered to be one of the greatest estates in the world, producing coveted and collectible labels. Angelo Gaja was the first to produce single vineyard wines in Piedmont and revolutionized winemaking practices in the region, introducing Bordeaux varietals and the use of barriques. GAJA has led Barbaresco to international acclaim and brought about a resurgence of Italian wines more broadly.

In 1994, Angelo purchased Pieve Santa Restituta, an estate located in one of the most revered sites in the Montalcino district. This was the first time the family ventured outside of their native Piedmont. Today, the estate produces three Brunello di Montalcino.

Angelo Gaja’s love of Bolgheri and ambition to expand his work with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot propelled the foundation of Ca’Marcanda. After identifying the only land in the area not planted to vines, the family purchased the property in 1996, creating a unique opportunity to design a winery on untouched land that allowed for the precision necessary to craft exceptional wines. The family’s mission is to produce wines reflecting the characteristics of Bolgheri: balanced by a middle structure, moderate alcohol and a vibrant expression of freshness.

IDDA is a joint venture between the Gaja family and the Graci family on Mount Etna that started in 2016. “IDDA” means “she” in Sicilian dialect, which is the term residents use to refer to the Etna volcano. The wines’ labels are evocative of multiple aspects of the local terrain, such as mirroring colors of lava and the sea, the tridimensional altitude of the mountain, and the terraces of the vineyards.

GAJA is a pioneer and guardian of tradition, a legacy that continues to reshape the standard for excellence in the world of winemaking today.