Alla Costiera

"Alla Costiera" translates to “by the coast.” While Filippo Gamba’s winery is now located deep inland in the heart of the Veneto, far from the Adriatic Sea, some 30 million years ago—when the Colli Euganei emerged from the sea after volcanic eruptions—it would have stood roughly on the coastline.

Most of Filippo’s vineyards are situated on the plain, and overall, the conditions for producing high-quality wines could definitely be easier. Unlike in the hilly terrain of the Colli, there's a lack of thermal variation that usually helps shape a wine’s structure: summer daytime temperatures often approach 40°C, and—more importantly—it doesn’t cool down much at night. Volcanic soils, which define the wines high above Vò, Filippo’s home village, are not found in his vineyards down “by the coast.” The soils here are deep and fertile, not shallow and sparse.

Filippo Gamba is well aware of the sum of these challenges but chooses to focus on the positive aspects of his vineyards. Instead of volcanic subsoil, he has calcareous terrain, which lends his wines tension and precision—even in warm vintages. In addition, many of his vines are old, some even very old. Several Cabernet and Tokaj plots are over 70 years old, and as Filippo rightly notes, you can taste that.

The berries from old vines are smaller, with thicker skins. Nutrients are distributed across fewer grapes, intensifying their sensory character. To help his vines reach such an age, Filippo has been working certified organic since 2000. Since 2005, he has also incorporated biodynamic preparations into his work.

Following nearly 200 years of tradition in the hills, his red grape varieties are international: Merlot, Cabernet, and Carmenere form the red trio, complemented by white varieties such as Garganega, Moscato Bianco, Tokaj, and Pinella.

As a member of Vinnatur, Filippo abides by its strict regulations—meaning, in short, that no additives are used in his wines except for minimal sulfur. His wines are never filtered or fined. The wines of Filippo Gamba consistently offer character, energy, and drinkability—and rank among the most exciting discoveries of recent years.