Villa Sparina

Long before Gavi was trending on wine lists from Milan to Manhattan, the Moccagatta family saw something special in its hills. In the late ‘70s, they snapped up Villa Sparina and began their crusade to put Cortese on the map — and in our glasses. Today, their 70 hectares sprawl across Gavi’s top spots, soaking up Mediterranean breezes and rooted in a patchwork of clay, marl, and gravel soils. It’s prime Cortese territory. Here, Villa Sparina crafts vibrant, mineral-driven whites that are built to last (seriously — some of their bottles age a decade before release!). Gavi di Gavi, Gavi, Monterotondo, and their sparkling gem show just how versatile this grape can be. Let’s not forget their red: juicy, stainless-steel-aged Barbera brings the balance. And then there’s that bottle — plump, curvy, and oh-so-distinctive, inspired by an antique find in their cellar. Add in an 18th-century estate-turned-boutique-resort and you’ve got more than a winery — you’ve got a destination. Stylish, soulful, and seriously sippable. * * *