Vallana is a small, family winery with a tradition dating back to the 18th century. Founded in its present form by Antonio Vallana in 1937, the winery is now managed by his great grandchildren Francis and Marina.
Vallana is one of the historical estates in Alto Piemonte. Their story started in 1787, with Gaetano Perrucconi di Montalbano, the Cellar Master of the Bishop of Novara. It continued in the 19th century as a wine and agricultural business and it developed into a fully fledged winery in 1937. Alto Piemonte is in the top North West corner of Italy, 100km north of Barolo, heading towards the border with Switzerland. This region, often viewed as Barolo’s poorer neighbour, is a lesser known haven for Italy’s classic Nebbiolo grape, locally known as Spanna.
Vallana’s distinctive labels almost have an antique, dusty feel to them. Their label depicts a Roman triumphal chariot, commemorating the victory of Consul Gaius Marius and General Quintus Lutatius Catulus’ army in 101 BC. The wines themselves, however, are full of life, displaying the classic regional acidity and minerality that Marina describes as the true expression of Alto Piemonte.
