Braida

In 1961, Giacomo Bologna—who Angelo Gaja recognised as pivotal in raising Barbera to new heights—inherited vineyards from his father and established his namesake winery. By the 1980s, Giacomo was inspired to begin cultivating and bottling Barbera as a fine wine, including ageing his wines in French barriques for extended periods. His first notable success was his 1982 Bricco dell’Uccellone, a single-vineyard Barbera aged for over 16 months in oak barrels. The wine's debut at the 1984 Vinitaly wine fair marked a significant turning point, garnering attention for its innovative approach. Following Bricco dell’Uccellone, Bologna introduced Bricco della Bigotta in 1985 and Ai Suma in 1990. Ai Suma, meaning "we've done it" in local dialect, was a tribute to his quest for perfection and was produced from late-harvested grapes in exceptional vintages.

After Giacomo's passing in 1990, his children, Giuseppe and Raffaella, assumed management of their father’s estate. Giuseppe oversees viticulture and production, while Raffaella manages operations. Since their taking over, Braida has expanded its portfolio, including Il Bacialè, a blend of Barbera and other international varieties, and a sparkling Barbera, La Monella. Today, the family cultivates over 70 hectares across the Asti region, producing approximately 700,000 bottles annually. The full-bodied Barbera are among the region’s very best, with bold, secondary aromas, dark fruit flavours and chunky structure with high acids.