Alta Langhe Zone

The Alta Langa Zone includes 149 villages and stretches from the province of Cuneo to the provinces of Asti and Alessandria. The Belbo River runs through the area, which in the north is called the Bassa Langa (Home Langa), and in the south is called Alta Langa or “The Deserted Langa”.

Alta Langa is known for its breathtaking view of meadows and ancient forests, and the landscape is dotted with “Ciabots”, traditional stone buildings used by local farmers to store various farm produce.

The Alta Langa zone received its DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) in 2002 and in 2011 it was elevated to DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin). The zone produces sparkling Spumante types of wine in both white and rosé.

The grapes are Pinot Nero and/or Chardonnay, as well as local non-aromatic white grapes. The wines are created through the “Metodo Classico”, meaning the natural fermentation happens in the bottle. The cultivation of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes requires moderately-fertile calcareous clay marl soils.

The vineyards must be located in the hills, at a minimum altitude of 250 meters above sea level. The use of grapes grown in the damp valley-floor vineyards is strictly forbidden.

Production regulations state that every vineyard must contain at least 4,000 vines per hectare in order to maximize spacing and help with the specific flavor of the wines. The vines are trained using a low espalier system, and the pruning techniques allowed are traditional Guyot and spurred cordon, at a maximum height from the ground of 90 cm. The maximum grape yield per hectare is 11,000 kg, and the yield from each pressing phase must be less than 65%.

This creates a very distinctive wine that you can taste at your leisure when visiting or staying at Agriturismo Gallo.