Founded in 2018 by Guido Costacurta at the foothills of the majestic, 15,203 ft high Monte Rosa massif - second highest mountain in all of Europe - Vigneti Costacurta aims at expressing the peculiarities of the Ghemme terroir, respecting its history, and its unique climate. In this corner of Alto Piemonte, the wide array of soil types represents an unicum in the Italian viticultural landscape, as extremely diverse geological compositions can be found within a short distance from one another. This characteristic, together with specific pedoclimatic aspects, and noticeable diurnal excursions, allow for the production of site-specific wines, able to translate the characteristics of each terroir and vintage with rigor and precision.
Since the onset, Guido’s focus has been to work with Nebbiolo, locally called Spanna, a variety that requires a great deal of care in the vineyard but that can repay the grower’s effort with wines characterized by crystalline purity. The new vineyards are planted with a specific Nebbiolo clone, typical of the Ghemme area and rediscovered a few years ago in an old, abandoned parcel. This particular clone has a higher amount of anthocyanins and flavonoids than other Nebbiolo clones, and develops medium-sized clusters with medium-to-small berries. The ratio of pulp to skin, in favor of the latter, translates to a greater concentration of substances naturally existing on the surface of the fruit, the contribution of which is essential to produce high-quality red wines.
An integrated pest management approach is followed in the vineyard, avoiding weeding and encouraging the growth of cover crops. Much of the work, starting with the planting itself, is manual, as is the harvest. In the cellar the goal is to preserve the characteristics of the grapes, reducing human intervention to the minimum. Guido produces three Nebbiolo-based wines. Tintaunita (red) and Mezzatinta (rosé), are vinified in steel tanks in order to enhance their natural freshness while the Ghemme DOCG spends two years in non-toasted French oak casks.
