Alto Piemonte is in the top North West corner of Italy, 100km north of Barolo, heading towards the border with Switzerland. This region is a lesser known haven for Italy’s classic Nebbiolo grape. The vineyards are generally at an altitude ranging from 300 to 450m above sea level. The region benefits from a cool, broad range of diurnal temperatures. This climate combined with the distinctively acidic soils in the area, combine to give the wines higher acidity, minerality and their great capacity for ageing. Vallana’s own vineyard holdings are in Boca and Gattinara, which they have always traditionally combined with working contractually with many small producers in the region. They work around 10 ha in total.

The fifth and current generation at Antonio Vallana e Figlio is represented by Marina and Francis Fogarty, sister and brother, who have fully taken charge of the winemaking and running of the family estate over the last 10 years. They are keen to retain the traditions of the region whilst also combining modernity and progress into their wine making.