Gattinara Cav. P. Fracchia & Figlio 1963
This 1963 red wine is produced by Cav. P. Fracchia & Figlio under the Denominazione di Origine Controllata classification. It originates from Gattinara, a historic wine area located in the northern part of Piemonte in the province of Vercelli. As noted on the label, this specific release was bottled outside the immediate production zone.
Piemonte, situated in northwestern Italy and surrounded by the Alps, is globally recognized for its steep hills and deep focus on terroir. The Gattinara area lies at the foot of the Alps on the western side of the Sesia river. The vineyards here are planted on steep, south-facing slopes at altitudes between 270 and 400 meters. The vines grow in acidic, mineral-rich porphyry soils formed by an ancient supervolcano. The region's characteristic autumn morning fog often blankets the hills, protecting the vines and ensuring a long ripening period.
The wine is made primarily from Nebbiolo, locally known as Spanna. In Gattinara, regulations dictate that Nebbiolo must constitute at least 90 percent of the blend, occasionally supplemented by small amounts of Uva Rara and Vespolina. Nebbiolo is widely recognized as one of Italy's premier grape varieties, particularly prominent in Piemonte. According to the producer, this wine was crafted from selected grapes and aged using traditional methods without the use of modern treatments. The local appellation rules for Gattinara require a minimum of 35 months of aging, with at least 24 months spent in wooden barrels.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Piedmont
Piedmont (which literally means "at the foot of the mountain") is located in northwestern Italy, surrounded by the Alps. It is considered one of the world's absolute most prestigious wine regions. The area is known for small, passionate, family-run wineries and a huge focus on terroir (how the soil and microclimate affect the wine).
Classic characteristics of Piedmont:
The royal wines: This is where the world-famous, complex and expensive red wines Barolo and Barbaresco come from (both made from 100% Nebbiolo).
Everyday heroes: In addition to Nebbiolo, the region is famous for the grapes Barbera (juicy, acidic and incredibly popular) and Dolcetto (dark, soft and fruity).
The white and sweet: Piedmont also makes the crisp white wine Gavi and the famous, lightly sparkling dessert bubbles Moscato d'Asti.
The landscape: Dramatic, steep hills – especially in the Langhe sub-area. The hills are often shrouded in thick morning mist in autumn, which protects the grapes and allows for a long, perfect ripening.
Gastronomy: An absolute mecca for food lovers. The area is world famous for the exclusive white truffles from Alba, hazelnuts and rich, simmered dishes that scream with a glass of local red wine.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
You are in safe hands
100% authentic bottles
All bottles undergo a thorough authenticity test by our certified sommeliers before being offered for sale. We reject bottles we are unsure about.
Thorough quality check
Cork, capsule, fill level, label condition, and provenance are individually documented for each bottle. A physical certificate is included with every purchase.
60-day return policy
We are confident in the quality of our wines, and you as a buyer should be too. Return any unopened bottle within 60 days for a full refund — no questions asked.
4.7 on Trustpilot
277 customers have shared their experience. From the first email to the bottle arriving safely – we take pride in making a difference from start to finish.
How it handles
you your wine
Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
GUIDE TO THE GOOD WINE EXPERIENCE
We will help you throughout the journey. Here you can read our guide on how to treat the wine. If you have any questions, you are always welcome to write or call us.
Our customers say it best!
Based on 247 reviews