Paitin Winery Embraces Expansion: Venturing into Alto Piemonte’s Wine Region

The family producer, famous for Sorì Paitin Nebbiolo, has acquired a majority share in the Bianchi winery.

The Pasquero-Elia family, who have been producing wine under the Paitin label for seven generations in Barbaresco, are caretakers of the Serraboella vineyard, a menzioni geografiche aggiuntiva (MGA), known for crafting robust, long-lasting Nebbiolos from their Sorì Paitin plot. This year marks the first time they will release wines produced outside Barbaresco due to their new collaboration with the Bianchi family in Alto Piemonte.

“Exceptional terroirs don’t just consist of skilled winemakers and strong grapes,” stated Luca Pasquero-Elia, who manages the Paitin winery alongside his father, Giovanni, and uncle, Silvano. “Soil, climate, and history also play crucial roles. Alto Piemonte possesses all the necessary components.”

This collaboration represents Paitin’s second expansion in recent times. In 2018, Luca persuaded his family to acquire additional vineyards in the Basarin MGA, positioned across the valley from Serraboella. With added plots in Faset and Albesani, Paitin now manages a total of 47 acres of vineyard land.

In 2022, Luca, along with Giovanni and Silvano, spearheaded the acquisition of a significant part of the historic Bianchi vineyards located 100 miles north in Alto Piemonte, particularly in Sizzano. The purchase price was not disclosed. The land acquired sums up to 22 acres, divided as 12 acres in Sizzano, and 5 acres each in Gattinara (Valferana vineyard) and Ghemme (Barragiole vineyard).

The trio is crafting three wines under the “Monte” label, inspired by names of mountains in the western Alps. The selection includes a white and a rosé which will soon hit the market in the United States. The Monte Bianco Colline Novaresi features pure Erbaluce, Monte Rosa Rosato Costa della Sesia is solely Nebbiolo, and Monte Rosso Colline Novaresi combines Nebbiolo (95%) with Vespolina (5%). Additional specific-vineyard Nebbiolos from Gattinara and Ghemme will be released later.

The Bianchi family has been dedicated to wine since 1785. Silvano Pasquero-Elia’s bond with the Bianchi lineage dates back to his encounter with Paolo Bianchi at enology school. “The partnership deepened during a 2021 trip to the winery where I realized their need for support,” Luca remarked. “After several meetings, we saw the opportunity for a collaboration. Talks began in late 2021 and by early 2022, we had sealed the deal.”

Since the 2022 harvest, the Pasquero-Elia family has been actively involved, with Giovanni managing the agriculture while Silvano and Luca handle the winemaking processes from 2023 onwards.

Alto Piemonte appealed to the trio for several compelling reasons. The region’s northern vineyards were believed to be better equipped for the impacts of climate change; they were eager to expand their understanding of Nebbiolo; and the high quality of the terroir caught their attention.

The family behind Paitin was the second from Langhe to recognize Alto Piemonte’s potential. In 2018, Roberto Conterno of Giacomo Conterno became an investor in Nervi, the renowned Gattinara winery.

“Introducing new terroir is an innovative approach in winemaking, a concept we had seldom explored since our vineyards had been family-owned for over a century,” Luca explained. “Properties like Basarin, Faset, or Albesani marked significant steps for us, yet venturing into Alto Piemonte is still a greater challenge. As someone young with ample energy and the full backing of Giovanni and Silvano, I’m up for the challenge.”

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