Grape Wine Journey

“80% of our production is for exports, and the 20% that we sell in the domestic market is consumed by visitors like you.” That probably set the stage for the visit at Gaja in the heart of Barbaresco.

We were greeted by Alexandria, the guide at Gaja at a small but cozy waiting area.  When we were walking down to the cellar, she said in a very polite manner, “Please don’t take any photos in the cellar, but you could in the building after the visit.” 

GAJA Winery

The current owner Angelo Gaja is the 4^th generation of the winery.  The breakthrough started with Angelo’s grandmother who was a school teacher.  She understood the importance of making quality wine but also to promote the wine with a lot emphasis on marketing. 

When we were at the tasting room, we were so excited to know we will taste 5 wines from their collection, including a 1974 vintage:

Barbaresco 74'

Gaia & Rey 2002 (Chardonnay)

Barbaresco 2007

Sperss 2006

Sperss 1999

Barbaresco 1974

Angelo Gaja with an old bottle

We were pleasantly surprised to see Angelo Gaja walked into the room and sat down at the far end of the table.  Angelo is in his sixties with silver hair, wearing a dark suit, quite formal.  He started telling us Piemonte is very picturesque and there are many good restaurants – including two Michelin 2-star restaurants.  Wines are for enjoying, it’s not for them to tell us what we should taste.  Wine is also for food, it will be difficult for him to tell us what will match with our cuisines, it will be for us to discover.

He was very entertaining and was funny at times.  He went away and looked for an old bottle where the label was very colorful, and then took one that is now the famous ‘black and white’ logo.  He shared with us the new logo meant “simplicity”.

Angelo Gaja at the tasting room

He asked if we heard of Rockefeller, a very wealthy American family.  “Well, if they decide to go into the wine business and want to put their name on the label, the label will need to go around the bottle a few times!  So I am lucky, GAJA only has 4 letters!”

We asked if we could take some photos with him, he led us to the terrace and was very patient while we each wanted our own photo with him.  

The Tasting Room

With the excitement of meeting the legendary Angelo Gaja, we returned to the tasting room and realized we haven’t finished our tasting.  We didn’t want to leave as the wine selection was very good.  The 1974 Barbaresco must cost a fortunate in market now.   We took a sniff and all agreed that it smelt like one thing … soya sauce!