Alla Costiera

Filippo Gamba's winery may be far from the Adriatic Sea in the heart of the Veneto today, but 30 million years ago, when the Colli Euganei rose from the sea after a volcanic eruption, it would have been located roughly on the coast.

His vineyards are mostly located on the plain and overall the conditions for high-quality wines could definitely be easier. In contrast to the hills of the Colli, there is a lack of wind to structure the wines: daytime temperatures in summer are often around 40°C and - more importantly - it doesn't really cool down at night either. Volcanic soils, which characterise the wines high above Vò, Filippo's home village, do not exist down on the coast. The soils are deep and fertile, not shallow and barren.  

Filippo Gamba is well aware of the sum of the negatives, but focusses on the positive factors of his vineyards. Instead of a volcanic subsoil, he has a limestone-based terrain, which gives the wines firmness and vigour even in warm years. In addition, a good proportion of his vines are old, sometimes very old. Various Cabernet and Tokaj vines have 70 years or more under their belts and, Filippo rightly believes, you can taste this.

The berries on the old vines are smaller and the skins are thicker. The nutrients are distributed over fewer grapes and intensify their sensory attributes. To ensure that the vines reach an appropriate age, Filippo has been working with certified organic methods since 2000. He has also been using biodynamic preparations since 2005.  The red grape varieties are international, as has been the tradition of the hills for almost 200 years: Merlot, Cabernet & Carmenere form the red triumvirate, which is complemented by the white grape varieties Garganega, Moscato Bianco, Tokaj and Pinella. 

As a member of vinnatur, the estate is subject to its strict regulations, which in a nutshell means that with the exception of a little SO2, no additives are added to the wine. There is no filtering or fining. Filippo Gamba's wines have character, energy and drinkability across the board and are among the most beautiful discoveries of recent years.


The Wines of Alla Costiera