A Journey Through Gattinara

Imagine a crisp October evening in the heart of New York City's Upper West Side, where the air is alive with anticipation and the promise of an extraordinary culinary experience. On October 26, 2023, Lucciola, a bastion of gastronomic delight, opened its doors to a select gathering of wine enthusiasts for a journey through the storied vineyards of Gattinara, guided by the expertise of Alessia Travaglini, the fifth generation of the esteemed Travaglini family.

As guests entered the warmly lit dining room, they were greeted by the tantalizing aromas of Chef Michele Casadei Massari's culinary creations and the gentle clinking of glasses filled with the finest wines from the Travaglini Gattinara estate. The restaurant, fully booked for this exclusive wine club dinner, hummed excitedly as Alessia took center stage, ready to unveil the secrets of Gattinara's terroir and the artistry behind each bottle.

italian food near me, best italian wine, italian wine 

The Menu

Antipasto

Vitello Tonnato: Thin slices of tender veal served cold, accompanied by a creamy tuna-caper sauce.

Agnolotti del Plin 

Traditional Piedmontese stuffed pasta with a savory meat filling, served in a light sage butter.

Trota in Salsa di Nocciole 

Trout with a hazelnut crust, representing Piedmont's renowned hazelnuts.

Brasato al Nebbiolo 

Braised beef cooked slowly in Nebbiolo wine until tender, served with root vegetables

Insalata Piemontese: A refreshing salad of roasted beets, arugula, goat cheese, and candied walnuts, drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette.

Dessert:

Formaggi Delle Langhe: A curated cheese platter featuring Piedmont's finest cheeses like Robiola, Castelmagno, and Taleggio, served with truffle honey, fig jam, and toasted nuts.

The evening's lineup was a testament to the diversity and complexity of Gattinara's wines; each carefully selected to showcase a different facet of the region's unique soil and microclimate. From the youthful vibrancy of the Coste della Sesia 2022 to the ethereal elegance of the Nebolè, since 2010, Nebolè has been the embodiment of Cinzia and Massimo's dream—a marriage of tradition and innovation resulting in a sparkling wine of unparalleled quality.

Crafted from meticulously selected grapes, Nebolè undergoes at least 46 months of aging on the lees, yielding a captivating libation with delicate tannins and exquisitely fine bubbles in a resplendent platinum hue.

Its tasting notes are a sensory delight: visually stunning with a brilliant straw yellow color and persistent perlage, while the olfactory experience offers noble aromas of pastries, hazelnut cream, and freshly ground coffee, with subtle hints of apple, grapefruit, and fragrant flowers.

The LineUP

Travaglini Gattinara Classico 2020

Travaglini Coste Della Sesia 2022

Travaglini Riserva 2018

Travaglini Nebole 2013

Travaglini il Sogno 2018

travaglini tre Vigne 2010

Guided Wine Tasting

With each pour, Alessia regaled guests with tales of Gattinara's rich winemaking heritage, painting a vivid picture of the region's volcanic soils, shaped by millennia of geological upheaval. She spoke of the gentle Alpine breeze that caresses the vineyards, ensuring optimal ripening conditions for the noble Nebbiolo grape, and the profound connection between the Travaglini family and the land they call home.

Did You Know?

The Travaglini family owns 59 hectares of vineyards, 55 dedicated to vines, primarily Nebbiolo, which covers roughly 50% of the total Gattinara DOCG. A few old vines are planted in native varieties such as Vespolina and Bonarda. This tiny appellation lies in the rocky foothills of the Monte Rosa range, where ventilating winds blow down from the nearby Alps. Soils are rocky and rich in porphyry, granite, and iron, imparting a reddish color in the soil.

Travaglini is the only winery producing this "Amarone-style" wine in northern Piedmont. In homage to the winery's founder, Giancarlo, Il Sogno means "The Dream." Giancarlo recognized a more significant potential in Gattinara and executed groundbreaking changes in his vineyards and cellar, which had been unseen before in the appellation. For example, he pioneered research into improving viticultural methods, such as high-density planting (up to 5,000/HA), 100% hand-harvesting, and Guyot vine training – which today is commonly practiced throughout the appellation. His passion for Nebbiolo helped raise Gattinara's profile, which has been a commitment throughout the generations.

The journey continued with the unveiling of Gattinara TreVigne DOCG, a blend of three cru sites within Travaglini's estate, situated in the finest areas of Gattinara. The careful selection of these sites, including Lurghe o Piantesio, Permolone, and Alice, imbues the wine with an intriguing, complex, and elegant character. Each vineyard contributes unique qualities to the blend, from the intense and ruby color of Lurghe o Piantesio's clayey soils to the richness and complexity of Permolone's old vines and rocky terrain. Meanwhile, Alice, the highest-altitude vineyard, adds elegance and concentration to the wine with its sun-drenched slopes and constant breeze.

Another exceptional wine served was the Riserva. In the glass, a radiant ruby red hue with hints of orange entices, offering a glimpse into the wine's intricate character. Aromas of licorice, juniper berries, balsamic sandalwood, and toasted oak intertwine, followed by fruity strawberry and blackberry jam notes. Delicate hints of wilting flowers linger, adding a subtle flourish. Amazing in my opinion.

As guests enjoyed the meticulously crafted menu by Chef Michele, each dish thoughtfully paired with a different expression of Gattinara's terroir, they were transported to the sun-drenched slopes of Gattinara, where tradition and innovation converge to create wines of unparalleled depth and character.

But it was not just the food and wine that captivated guests—it was the stories behind each bottle, the passion and dedication of the Travaglini family, and the profound sense of place that permeated every sip. As Alessia shared anecdotes of her family's winemaking journey, guests were transported to the sun-drenched slopes of Gattinara, where tradition and innovation converge to create wines of unparalleled depth and character.

As the evening drew to a close and the final course—a decadent cheese platter featuring Piedmont's finest—was savored, guests lingered over their glasses, reluctant to bid farewell to an evening of enchantment. In Gattinara, the soil makes the difference, and in the hands of the Travaglini family, it becomes a canvas for crafting wines that transcend time and place.

But the experience didn't end with the wines. As a token of appreciation, each guest received a unique book from the estate, delving into their story and heritage. It was a thoughtful gesture that added more meaning to an unforgettable evening.

Alberto Ghezzi

Co-Founder, Wine Director