Bruno, Chiara, Gianni

Our first Piedmontese winery has made a specialty of Freisa. Gianni Vergnano, the guiding hand of Cascina Gilli, had a hunch years ago that this traditional "peasants'" grape was a scion of a noble family. This was proven through DNA analysis by a team under the leadership Dr. Anna Schneider of the University of California at Davis and the Istituto di San Michele. Their genetic map confirms that Freisa is a close relative of Nebbiolo. Freisa bears a relationship to Nebbiolo much like Cabernet Franc to Cabernet Sauvignon.

Freisa is vinified in several ways, including a vivace (lightly sparkling) that was the traditional beverage of the local farmers. Our first Freisa is a dry, still example, possessing a beautiful deep color, ringing acidity and surprising depth for an allegedly "simple" wine.