Michelangelo Ioppa purchased this modest estate in the Ghemme commune back in the mid 18oos, when the wines of Alto-Piemonte were much more famous (and expensive) than Barolo or Montalcino. Then lots of stuff happened... Read More

Michelangelo Ioppa purchased this modest estate in the Ghemme commune back in the mid 18oos, when the wines of Alto-Piemonte were much more famous (and expensive) than Barolo or Montalcino. Then lots of stuff happened in Europe. Depressions, World Wars, Revolutions etc. Trying times for anyone in the wine business, or any business.

But as many neighbors folded or sold, Ioppa kept on making great wine. The only real lapse was that of judgment for a few years in the 1990’s and early aughts where they switched to an ripe, over-oaked international style for a hot second. Thankfully it didn’t last too long and they’ve been back to tasty and traditional Nebbiolo based gems for many vintages now.

Indeed, they are arguably better than ever these days. In 2016 they hired Alto-Piemonte wunderkind Cristiano Garella as a consulting winemaker to work side by side with Andrea Ioppa who is now in charge following the passing of family patriarch Gianpiero. They’ve made just some slight adjustments to round off the most rustic edges, adding extra elegance and poise to these iconic wines.