It is a family affair, rooted in Alto Piemonte-
Villa Guelpa is home to the Dinoia family. Daniele and his wife, Sonia, are pioneers in Alto Piemonte, Piedmont's northernmost subalpine region. The soils there are almost entirely free of limestone, a result of a supervolcano collapse 300 million years ago. Before starting this project, Daniele gained valuable experience at respected wineries like Isole e Olena, Poggio al Sole, and Nervi in the Gattinara area.
Daniele Dinoia founded Villa Guelpa to make wines that reflect the varied soils across his four hectares in Alto Piemonte. Each vineyard lies along the eighth meridian east—hence the shared “Longitudine 8” name for his Bianco, Rosso, and Rosato. The soils range from sand in Mottalciata to alluvial deposits in Salussola and Dorzano, and volcanic material in Bramaterra. Daniele and his sons farm organically, focusing mainly on Nebbiolo, Vespolina, and Erbaluce. Production is very limited across the range, with particularly small quantities of Sizzano—a traditional Nebbiolo and Vespolina blend—and an outstanding Lessona.
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Their home in Lessona is set above their wine cellar, surrounded by vineyards in the Alto Piemonte. The family's passion for winemaking is clear. Their project is bold and ambitious, grounded in tradition but looking ahead. The wide range of soils and the unique differences in Nebbiolo, even between nearby vineyards, inspire their work. As Daniele says,
“They are the expression of our land, of the place we live, of our work and choices. Our goal is to make them unmistakable, elegant, refined, and characteristic of Alto Piemonte.”
They produce wine in a small, historic cellar at the center of the new ‘Alto Piedmonte’ Renaissance in Lessona. Young wines are aged in old concrete tanks, whereas wines from their own vineyards are aged in Slavonian oak barrels.
A nutshell history of the area-
Alto Piemonte’s geological story began about 300 million years ago, when Pangea was covered with large volcanoes. One near Lessona, in Valsesia, erupted with a force greater than 250 atomic bombs. The volcano eventually became extinct. Around 150 million years ago, as the Alps formed, the Valsesia supervolcano shifted, and its inner layers became visible at the surface.
This history left Alto Piemonte with rare, acidic soils lacking limestone. These soils vary across the region, from the alluvial pebbles of Roppolo near Lake Viverone, to the siliceous sands of Mottalciata, the ancient soils of Lessona, the volcanic porphyry of Bramaterra, and the sandy alluvial soils of Sizzano. The area also enjoys mild weather, significant temperature swings between day and night, more rainfall than average, and ample sunlight due to its high latitude.
WHO: Daniele Dinoia and family
WHERE: Lessona • Piedmont, Italy (in the area known as “Alto Piemonte”)
FOUNDED:
LAND:
VARIETALS: Nebbiolo + Vespolina
APPELLATIONS: Boca DOC, Lessona DOC, Sizzano DOC, and Colline Novaresi DOC
VITICULTURE: Organic - Natural. Hand-harvested.
ANNUAL PRODUCTION:
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Made with 100% Erbaluce
This wine offers juicy apricot, ripe yellow apple, and fresh pear aromas that carry through to a bright, lively palate complemented by tangy, mouthwatering acidity. A subtle, flinty mineral note lifts and brightens the clean, lingering finish.
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APPELLATION: Alto Piedmont
DENOMINATION: Colline Novaresi DOC
VARIETAL: Erbaluce
VINEYARD: 0.8 Ha, 5000 plants per Ha
SOIL: Terraced pebble
ALTITUDE: 300 meters
EXPOSURE: South/Southwest
YIELD PER HECTARE:
TRAINING SYSTEM: Gouyot; harvested by hand in small boxes in September
VINIFICATION/REFINEMENT: Destemming, soft crushing, and spontaneous fermentation.
Maceration in cement tanks for 5 hours on the skins, 5 months on the lees, and subsequent aging inthe bottle.
BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 12
CLOSURE:
ALC BY VOL(%): 13
LONGEVITY:3-5 yearsBAR CODE:
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Wine Enthusiast (2020) - 92 points
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Made with 100% Nebbiolo.
This polished, fragrant red features pretty floral aromas of rose and violet that mingle with ripe forest berries and sun‑kissed Mediterranean herbs. Juicy and savory, the fresh palate delivers succulent strawberry, bright white pepper and warm baking spice, all framed by lithe, fine‑grained tannins. Showcasing Nebbiolo's youthful, energetic side, it's crafted for early enjoyment, offering immediate, approachable pleasure.
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APPELLATION: Alto Piedmont
DENOMINATION: Colline Novaresi DOC
VARIETAL: Nebbiolo
VINEYARD: 3 Ha, 4500 plants per Ha, age of plants- 25 years
SOIL: Terraced pebble
ALTITUDE: 300 meters
EXPOSURE: South/Southwest
YIELD PER HECTARE:
TRAINING SYSTEM: Gouyot; harvested by hand in small boxes in October
VINIFICATION/REFINEMENT: Destemming and gentle pressing, spontaneous fermentation, and 16-day maceration on the skins. All in Triplok monolithic concrete tanks.
Aged 12 months in the same cement tanks and following refinement in a bottle.
BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 12
CLOSURE:
ALC BY VOL(%): 13
LONGEVITY: 3-5 yearsBAR CODE:
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Wine Enthusiast:
(2020) - 92 points
(2019) - 92 points
(2018) - 93 points, & editor’s choice
(2017) - 91 points•••
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Made with 100% Nebbiolo.
This polished, fragrant red features pretty floral aromas of rose and violet that mingle with ripe forest berries and sun‑kissed Mediterranean herbs. Juicy and savory, the fresh palate delivers succulent strawberry, bright white pepper and warm baking spice, all framed by lithe, fine‑grained tannins. Showcasing Nebbiolo's youthful, energetic side, it's crafted for early enjoyment, offering immediate, approachable pleasure.
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APPELLATION: Alto Piedmont
DENOMINATION: Boca DOC
VARIETAL: 90% Nebbiolo – 10% Vespolina
VINEYARD: The Villa Guelpa vineyard in Boca. 1.02 Ha, 3500 plants per hectare, age of plants- 18+ years
SOIL: The soil consists of porphyritic gravel (volcanic origin) of a pinkish colour, rich in mineral salts, with no organic or calcareous matter.
ALTITUDE: 350 meters
EXPOSURE: South
YIELD PER HECTARE:
TRAINING SYSTEM: Gouyot; By hand in small boxes mid-October
VINIFICATION/REFINEMENT: Destemming and gentle pressing, spontaneous fermentation, and 16-day maceration on the skins. All in Triplok monolithic concrete tanks.
Aged 31 months in the same cement tanks and following refinement in a bottle.
BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 12
CLOSURE:
ALC BY VOL(%): 13.5
LONGEVITY: 10+ yearsBAR CODE:
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Wine Enthusiast:
(2020) 92 points
(2019) 96 points•••
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70% Nebbiolo and 30% Vespolina.
The newest red in the winery’s already stellar lineup, this gorgeous wine shows enticing aromas of rose, spice, dried hay, and wild red berries. A refined blend of 70% Nebbiolo and 30% Vespolina grown in mineral-rich volcanic soils, it's silky and absolutely delicious, delivering juicy red cherry, strawberry compote, a touch of white pepper, and crushed mint before a saline, mineral close. Elegant, polished tannins and lively, fresh acidity keep the palate beautifully balanced and lingering.
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APPELLATION: Alto Piedmont
DENOMINATION: Sizzano DOC
VARIETAL: 70% Nebbiolo – 30% Vespolina
VINEYARD: 3 Ha, 4500 plants per Ha, age of plants: 27 – 60 years old
SOIL: Coarse, terraced pebble floods forming the plateaus with reduced sand levels and delta-type cross-stratification.
ALTITUDE: 290 meters
EXPOSURE: South/Southwest
YIELD PER HECTARE:
TRAINING SYSTEM: Gouyot; harvested by hand in small boxes in October
VINIFICATION/REFINEMENT: Destemming and soft crushing, spontaneous fermentation, 16 days maceration on skins.
Aged 24 months in 20 hl oak tonneaux and subsequent aging in bottle.
BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 12
CLOSURE:
ALC BY VOL(%): 13.5
LONGEVITY: 10+ yearsBAR CODE:
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Wine Enthusiast:
(2019) 96 points
(2018) 95 points
(2017) 95 points
(2016) 93 points•••
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100% Nebbiolo.
If you love your Nebbiolo elegant, focused, and energized, this is your wine. Showing impeccable breeding and class, it opens with enticing scents of wild rose, violet, perfumed berry, camphor, and star anise. The vibrant palate features juicy red cherry, crushed strawberry, licorice, and saline mineral notes, framed by an exceptionally refined tannic backbone and finishing with a subtle mocha note. It's beautifully balanced, with bright, persistent acidity.
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APPELLATION: Alto Piedmont
DENOMINATION: Lessona DOC
VARIETAL: 100% Nebbiolo
VINEYARD:0.3 Ha, 4500 plants per Ha, age of plants: 27 – 60 years old
SOIL: Sands, gravels, sandy and kaolinic clays from alterations of Permian volcanites.
ALTITUDE: 340 meters
EXPOSURE: South/Southwest
YIELD PER HECTARE:
TRAINING SYSTEM: Gouyot; harvested by hand in small boxes in October
VINIFICATION/REFINEMENT: Destemming and soft crushing, spontaneous fermentation, 16 days maceration on skins. Aged 24 months in Slavonian barrel followed by bottle aging.
BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 12
CLOSURE:
ALC BY VOL(%): 13.5
LONGEVITY: 15+ yearsBAR CODE:
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Wine Enthusiast:
(2019) 98 points
(2018) 96 points
(2017) 95 points
(2016) 95 points•••
VILLA GUELPA
52 Via Francesco Cesone, Lessona, Piemonte, 13853 Italy +39 333 434 8405