Gaja is one of the Italian wineries with the highest reputation worldwide and the credit goes to Angelo Gaja who transformed the family business into an international success. The company was founded in 1859 by Angelo's great-grandfather in Barbaresco.
When Angelo takes it in hand, the company used to produce the traditional wines of the Langhe both with its own grapes and with purchased grapes. After having gained experience abroad, especially in France, Angelo decided that his winery should aim for excellence by imitating the great successful names of the world.
Starting from 1969 he revolutionized everything in operations and began the construction of a new, very modern cellar. He also decided to work only with his own grapes. He elaborated a Barbaresco with the utmost care possible with innovative techniques, clashing with tradition. In his career, Gaja often made important and counter-current decisions, but it was in this way that he built a solid and authentic business.
Angelo personally traveled to the United States to promote his wines. Success came in the late 1970s. Gaja’s Barbaresco became in a few years one of the most sought-after Italian labels. There are many anecdotes related to the story of this legendary company, which has never ceased to amaze since the 1980s.
Barbaresco is still today the most important part of the company's production with a classic version and 3 from a single vineyard: Sorì Tildin, Sorì San Lorenzo and Costa Russi. They are names that make any wine lover shiver, collectibles for wealthy persons around the world.
Today Gaja produces 350,000 bottles a year from 92 hectares of vineyards.