Tenute Sella is located at the foot of the Alps of Biella, in Northern Piedmont. Purchased in 1671 by Comino Sella, for 350 years the family-owned property has been cultivated by generations of the Sella family. Here in Alto-Piemonte, they craft beautiful, ethereal expressions of Nebbiolo-based wines, which are exceptionally age-worthy.
Today Tenute Sella is made up of 32 hectares of vineyard land in the Piemonte DOC, with a total production of approximately 180,000 bottles per year. Their first vineyards were planted in Lessona, following which the family extended their estate to include vineyards in Bramaterra, and Coste della Sesia also. Re-establishing the importance of their terroir, with maximum respect for tradition is the estate’s philosophy. Each vineyard is hand-picked and vinified separately, using traditional production methods. Under the watchful eye of their dynamic young winemaker, Riccardo Giovannini, bringing new energy and a fresh outlook to the winery, Tenute Sella feels to be going through a resurgence in quality.
Lessona and Bramaterra are their flagship wines. Lessona is produced exclusively from 100% Nebbiolo, while Bramaterra is a blend based on Nebbiolo with small amounts of Vespolina and Croatina. In Lessona, the vines are planted on mineral-rich sandy soils of marine origin, whereas Bramaterra has porphyry soils with very high acidity (low pH). These wines represent more refined and fragrant examples of what Nebbiolo can deliver, with incredible minerality, compared to that of Barolo and Barbaresco where power and structure is the driving force.
Lessona Omaggio a Quintino Sella is the estate’s top wine, produced only in the best vintages from 75-year-old vines on the historic hills of Lessona. Named in tribute to Quintino Sella—the renowned Italian scientist, economist, politician and statesman, as well as one of the most influential figures in both Italian history and the Sella family—the wine reflects his legacy of vision and excellence. The name Omaggio (“homage” in Italian) expresses this tribute. Crafted only in exceptional vintages, it represents the winery’s ambition to achieve uncompromising excellence and the remarkable ageing potential of Alto Piemonte wines.