NV Nicola Gatta – Quattrocento – Extra Brut – 40 Lune – deg. 09/24

Nicola is one of the most passionate and humble winemakers we have met. His deep love for wine and winemaking is truly inspiring. His winery is situated in Gussago, a village on the eastern border of Franciacorta, approximately 400 meters above sea level. Though located within the Franciacorta appellation, Nicola made a conscious decision not to join the DOCG Franciacorta. This decision allows him to free himself from the constraints of the denomination, giving his wines the freedom to fully express the unique characteristics of his land.

Gussago offers a distinctive terroir, sitting on a hilly area at the edge of the Pianura Padana, northwest of Brescia. The soil is predominantly pure limestone, which imparts an incredible tension and vibrancy to the wines. These wines are marked by a pronounced minerality, setting them apart.

Nicola specializes in Traditional Method sparkling wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In addition, he produces two very limited still wines: a red wine crafted from Barbera and Marzemino grapes, and a white wine made from Chardonnay. His winemaking philosophy is rooted in natural methods—he exclusively uses spontaneous fermentation, avoids filtration and clarification, and does not add sulphites at any stage of production. The goal is to enhance and showcase the richness and diversity of his territory, producing wines that authentically reflect it.

Beyond being an exceptional winemaker, Nicola is also an avid wine enthusiast. He is always eager to explore new wine regions, discover innovative winemakers, and sample new wines. His attention to detail is unparalleled, always striving to refine his techniques and craft the most representative wines possible. Nicola is a true artisan of wine, continuously improving and seeking to make the best wines from his remarkable terroir.

Lombardia’s terroir is highly diverse, shaped by its varied landscape of mountains, lakes, and plains. The northern part of the region, influenced by the Alps, has a cooler climate with significant temperature variations that help maintain acidity and aromatic intensity in the wines. In areas like Valtellina, steep terraced vineyards on rocky soils force Nebbiolo (locally called Chiavennasca) to develop structure and minerality. Further south, the influence of large lakes such as Garda and Iseo moderates temperatures, creating milder conditions ideal for producing both elegant reds and refined sparkling wines, as seen in Franciacorta. The plains of Oltrepò Pavese, with their mix of clay, limestone, and sand, provide excellent conditions for Pinot Nero, Barbera, and Croatina, yielding wines that balance freshness and complexity. This diversity makes Lombardia one of Italy’s most versatile wine regions, producing everything from structured reds to world-class sparkling wines.