Alto Piemonte (Boca, Bramaterra, Lessona)

Alto Piemonte lies at the foot of the Alps in northern Piedmont, in the provinces of Novara, Vercelli and Biella, between Lake Maggiore and the Sesia valley with Monte Rosa in the background. The zones of Boca, Bramaterra, Lessona, Fara and Sizzano, together with the DOCG areas of Gattinara and Ghemme, are among the rediscovered Nebbiolo sites. In the 19th century viticulture here was considerably more extensive; emigration, phylloxera and industry made it shrink sharply.

The soils go back to the Sesia supervolcano: volcanic porphyry shapes the slopes, alongside marine sands and gravel. They are acidic and rich in iron, unusual for Nebbiolo. The climate is Alpine-influenced, cool and rainy, with large differences between day and night temperatures.

Nebbiolo, here also called Spanna, is the main variety; Vespolina, Uva Rara and Croatina round out the blends. The wines are fine-boned, paler in colour and acid-driven, with mineral tension. Well-known names include Proprietà Sperino in Lessona and Tenute Sella in Lessona and Bramaterra.