Collection: Colombera & Garella

There's something quite special about the wines from Alto Piemonte. Not just because of the dramatic, mineral-rich hills, the old nebbiolo clones, or the cool microclimate. But also because the area was overshadowed for many years by the famous wines from Barolo and Barbaresco. This has given room for a new generation of winemakers, who with great respect for history and modern craftsmanship, are bringing Alto Piemonte back into the spotlight. One of the key voices in this movement is Colombera & Garella.

The winery is located in the municipality of Masserano in the eastern part of Alto Piemonte, in the heart of the Bramaterra appellation. Here, in the 1990s, the Colombera family discovered that their old plots on the steep slopes were too good just to supply grapes to larger wine companies. However, it was not until their son Carlo Colombera teamed up with the young, talented oenologist Cristiano Garella that the project truly gained momentum. Garella was born and raised in the area and is determined to show the world what Alto Piemonte can really offer.

Geologically, Alto Piemonte is something quite unique. While Langhe rests on limestone and clay, Bramaterra is characterized by volcanic and porphyritic soils—rich in iron and minerals. This gives the nebbiolo grape (locally called "spanna") a completely different character: more acid-driven, lighter in expression, and with a distinct, stony nervousness. In Colombera & Garella’s vineyards, you will also find smaller quantities of croatina and vespolina, two local grapes that in small doses add spice and structure to the wines.

The production is small, precise, and well thought-out. They work organically without certification and only intervene in the vineyard when necessary. The same philosophy rules in the cellar: spontaneous fermentation, long macerations, and a balanced use of large, old barrels—often botti grande or used tonneaux. Nothing is filtered, and the addition of sulfur is kept to an absolute minimum. Parcels are vinified separately with great respect for the microclimate and the unique character of each vineyard.

The yield is kept low, rarely over 40 hl/ha, and it shows in the wines. They are intense and precise, with a vibrant energy that makes them irresistible both in their youth and after long aging. The flagship is naturally Bramaterra, which Colombera & Garella is considered one of the leading producers of. But they also make excellent Coste della Sesia and the rare Lessona when the grapes allow. Common to all of them is an astonishing freshness, floral aromas, and a lightness in structure that makes the wines extremely drinkable—and simultaneously deeply serious.

Colombera & Garella is not just another nebbiolo producer. They are exponents of a new, cooler, and more mineral interpretation of Piemonte's great grape. Their wines are a must for anyone who loves elegance, energy, and terroir in its most honest form.