Tucked away in Italy’s storied Piedmont region, in the rolling hills of the Langhe district, lies one of the most revered names in Italian wine: Gaja.
Founded in 1859 by Giovanni Gaja, this family-run estate has become a benchmark for innovation, elegance, and unwavering commitment to quality. Today, Gaja is helmed by the legendary Angelo Gaja, Giovanni’s great-grandson, who manages the estate alongside his daughters, Gaia and Rossana Gaja. Together, they continue to elevate the family legacy through meticulous vineyard practices and forward-thinking winemaking in the celebrated Barbaresco and Barolo regions.
Under Angelo’s leadership, Gaja has been instrumental in modernizing Italian winemaking, setting new standards that have inspired producers across the country. The winery now spans 237 hectares across top-tier vineyards in Barbaresco, Barolo, La Morra, Montalcino, and Bolgheri, yielding 18 distinct wines and approximately 350,000 bottles annually.
2006 ‘Gaia & Rey’ Chardonnay
A wine named in honor of Angelo’s daughter Gaia and his grandmother Clotilde Rey. This wine is a testament to Gaja’s ability to craft whites with depth and age-worthiness, a rarity in Italy’s red dominant landscape.
Even after more than 15 years in bottle, the 2006 ‘Gaia & Rey’ radiates freshness. Rich and sophisticated, it reveals layer upon layer of ripe pear, buttered marzipan, and exotic fruit, underscored by a strikingly vibrant acidity. Unexpectedly, hints of blackberry peek through, a curious and delightful surprise in a white wine. The result is a complex, textured Chardonnay that beautifully marries opulence with finesse.
In a world where many wines are made to be consumed young, Gaja reminds us that great winemaking is not just about capturing the fruit of the vintage, but crafting something that endures, evolves, and continues to tell its story through time.
''At the end of the day, you really can’t make a wrong choice.
As long as you pay attention to what it is that you don’t like about a wine
each bottle will get you closer to what you do like.
Take it one glass at a time!''