La Raia Gavi Pise 2019

Cellar for up to 5 years. Serve chilled. Bursting with enticing citrus and honeysuckle notes, this classic Gavi comes from the oldest La Raia vineyard which sits at 400 metres above sea level on well-draining sandy soils. These conditions are ideal for the Cortese grape, helping to limit excessive vegetation and showcase the fresh and elegant nature of the variety. To maintain quality the grapes are picked by hand and fermented in stainless steel tanks using wild yeasts. The young wine is then left to age on the lees for 20 months to add complexity and a rich, creamy texture. This stunning Gavi is crafted by the Rossi Cairo family who purchased the La Raia estate in the heart of Gavi’s hills in 2003. Since taking over the family have converted the vineyards to biodynamic agriculture and avoid using any chemical herbicides or pesticides in order to protect the local ecosystem. In 2007 the estate was Demeter-certified and this strong commitment to working in harmony with nature helps the family to create top quality wines from indigenous grape varieties. Overseeing the estate’s winemaking is Piero Ballario who is known as one of the region’s top consultants for his work with many small wineries in the Langhe and other parts of Italy.