In 1994, the Gaja family acquired the Pieve Santa Restituta vineyard in Montalcino and in 1996 a second plot in Bolgheri, Tuscany, where they founded the Ca'Marcanda winery. Viticulture is a family tradition through which the dreams and plans of one generation come true and come alive and perfect for the generations to come. Angelo Gaja, his wife Lucia and his daughters Gaia and Rossana, who have been managing the winery since 2004 and 2009, respectively, now belong to the fifth generation.

I have the honor to present to you Mme. Walch from northern Italy. « Alto Adige » is an autonomous region of Trentino-Alto also called South Tyrol.  25 years ago it was hard to believe that there would be a women representing important vineyards, she told us.  The shortage of women in the practice of wine making was not a reason to keep her from her dreams, on the contrary, it fueled her passion to continue working.  She is also an architect and loves hiking. Now she feels completely satisfied with her accomplishments and we can clearly appreciate her happiness through her wines. This time I tasted :

She has cultivated 60 hectares, including the vineyards VIGNA Castel Ringberg and VIGNA Kastelaz.  Elena Walch is one of the most important winemakers in the region. The  Walch wines will remain in the hands of women.  The vineyard will now be ran by Julia and Karoline Walch, her daughters and the fifth generation of the family. She would like to share with women « that wine connects and makes the world a pleasurable place, but people should know all the hard work behind a wine bottle. »

100% sagrantino
First year of production: 1979
Vineyards: one vineyard in Bevagna (Pg) in Vocabolo Arquata at 250m height, exposure South on clay-calcareous. One vineyard in Montefalco, at 250m height, exposure South-East, on sandy-clay-calcareous soil. Plant density: 5.000 per hectare
Description: it pours a deep ruby red. Its powerful aroma of wild cherries, blackberries and plums develops notes of graphite, liquorice, juniper berries and aromatic herbs. The tannic weave, the freshness, the alcohol and sugar are well balanced. This wine to lay down is aged in casks for at least 2 years and in glass for 2 more, improving over time for at least 10 years. It accompanies strong mature cheeses, superior cured meats, grilled meats and game meat

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo100%.
Refining: Aging in medium toasted French oak barriques for 12 to13 months. The barriques are stored in climate controlled quarters, decanting and refilling to the brim throughout the period.
Sensory evaluation: Intense ruby red color, with hints of cherries, blackberries and liquorice, smooth and well-balanced tannins.
Food pairing: Served at 16-18°C with a flavorful pasta dishes, meat and fish dishes; excellent with aged cheeses.

Grape Variety 100% Sangiovese from a 6 hectares (15-acre) vineyard planted in 1993/94 at a density of 6.500 vines per hectare (2,600 vines per acre), trained in “Alberello”, “Bush” system. Grape production: 6.000 Kg/Ha
  Soil Calcareous-clayey mixture. Exposure south-west. Altitude 300 m.
  Harvest Hand-harvested in small crates, over two phases, in order to select the most optimally ripe and healthy fruit.
  Winemaking process Soft press and destemming. Fermented in stainless steel tanks at a max. temperature of 30°C. A prolonged skin-contact maceration is allowed only in the best vintages. 70% steel tank maturation, and 30% in second-year barriques for 8/12 months. Light filtration and bottle-ageing for more than 6 months, before release. Nomacorc Select 700 closures with oxygen control.
  Wine Profile Notes Color: Intense ruby red. Bouquet and Taste: Reminiscent of cherries, violet, china, sweet and toasted spices. Full and well-balanced palate, alcohol and tannins blend into the structure with notes of jam on the finish. Harmonious and lingering. Serving temperature 16°C. Analytical features: Alcohol 14,79 %vol Residual sugars <1,30 g/l Volatile acidity 0,72 g/l Total acidity 5,60 g/l Net dry essence 30,60 g/l