Collection: Colombera & Garella

Alto Piemonte – Nebbiolo in a Cooler and More Mineral Expression

There is something quite special about the wines from Alto Piemonte. Not only because of the steep, mineral-rich slopes, the old Nebbiolo clones, and the cool microclimate, but also because the area has long lived in the shadow of Barolo and Barbaresco. This has given space to a new generation of winemakers who, with great respect for the area's history and with modern, precise craftsmanship, are working to reposition Alto Piemonte on the world map.

One of the most important voices in this movement is Colombera & Garella.

Masserano and Bramaterra

The winery is located in the municipality of Masserano in the eastern part of Alto Piemonte, in the heart of the Bramaterra appellation. Here, the Colombera family worked for many years with small, steep parcels that supplied grapes to larger producers. However, in the 1990s, it became clear that the quality in the vineyards was too high to just be anonymously included in others' wines.

The decisive step came when son Giacomo Colombera began his studies as an oenologist in Alba in 2010 and simultaneously started a collaboration with young winemaker Cristiano Garella. Colombera & Garella was established with a clear goal: to show what Alto Piemonte - and especially Bramaterra - can do when vineyard and cellar are treated with precision and respect.

Cristiano Garella grew up in the area and has made it his mission to convey Alto Piemonte's unique expression through the wines.

Geology and Grapes

Geologically, Alto Piemonte differs significantly from Langhe. While Barolo and Barbaresco rest on limestone and clay, Bramaterra is characterized by volcanic and porphyritic soils with high iron and mineral content. This gives Nebbiolo - locally called Spanna - a different expression: more acid-driven, lighter in structure, and with a distinct, stony tension.

In the vineyards of Colombera & Garella, smaller amounts of Croatina and Vespolina are also included. These local grapes contribute in small doses with spice, structure, and depth, without taking focus away from Nebbiolo's elegance.

Work in Vineyard and Cellar

Production is small, focused, and consistent. They work organically, though without certification, and interventions in the vineyard are only made when necessary. Yields are kept low - rarely over 40 hl/ha - which gives grapes with high concentration and energy.

In the cellar, the same philosophy is continued. Fermentation occurs spontaneously, macerations are long, and aging primarily takes place in large, old barrels - botti grande and used tonneaux. The wines are not filtered, and the addition of sulfur is kept to an absolute minimum. Parcels are vinified separately with great respect for the vineyards' individual character and microclimate.

Wines and Style

Colombera & Garella is today considered among the leading producers of Bramaterra. The flagship wine expresses the area's cool elegance, minerality, and structure with great precision. Additionally, excellent wines are produced from Coste della Sesia and the rare Lessona, when the vintage allows.

Common to the wines is a marked freshness, floral aromas, and a lightness in structure that makes them both immediately drinkable and highly suitable for aging. These are wines with vibrant energy and a clear imprint of place.

Colombera & Garella at Copenhagen Wine

Colombera & Garella is not just another Nebbiolo producer. They represent a cooler, more mineral, and transparent interpretation of Piemonte's great grape. Wines where elegance, energy, and terroir go hand in hand.

For us, these are wines that show Alto Piemonte from its most precise and convincing side – and that speak directly to wine lovers with an interest in finesse, structure, and origin.