Wine connoisseurs searching for the the best of the region's bounty should contact the Enoteca di Gattinara (tel. and fax 0163/834070) located in the beautiful Villa Paolotti at Corso Valsesia 112 in Gattinara. Just 35 kilometers from Milano's Malpensa airport, the shop is a treasure trove of great wines representing some of Piedmont's much-acclaimed finest. The Enoteca di Gattinara has organized a full calendar of tastings presenting great regional varietals enhanced by local delicacies. Visitors to the Enoteca who succumb to local charm can rent bicycles nearby or arrange for a horseback ride into the hills. Gattinara is well-worth a visit, boasting an enchanting historic center, medieval castles, courtyards and balconies, frescoes and the numerous osterias oft frequented in by-gone days by great writers and honorary citizen, screen-writer Mario Soldati (The Maestro, 1989 - Of Wayward Love, 1962 - The River Girl, 1955 - The Adventures of Manderin, 1951). Another recommended stop in Gattinara is the restaurant Nuovo Impero (tel. 0163/833234), in Via Mattai 4, with its fresh pasta, brasato al Gattinara special and a Piedmontese mixed skillet -- all accompanied by a glass (or two!) of local wine.

Gattinara wine cellars and surroundings

With 50 years of experience behind it, the Azienda Vitivinicola Antoniolo (tel. 0163/833612; fax 0163/826112) in Gattinara is one of the areas finest wineries. Topping its production are the Cru Millesimati del Gattinara from the Osso S. Grato and S. Francesco vineyards, aged in small oaken casks and aged a year in the bottle. Another premium Denominazioni di Origine Controllata e Garantita (D.O.C.G.) to look for is the Vigneto Castelle di Gattinara. Take note of the Coste della Sesia Nebbiolo, young red and rosé as well as the extraordinary Erbaluce di Caluso, a fabulous white with an intense aroma with a hint of apple and hawthorn.
Founded in the early years of the 1900's, the Azienda Vitivinicola Nervi (tel. 0163/833228) represents one of the most important vinicological addresses in Gattinara. Its 19th-century cellars have produced the notable Gattinara D.O.C.G. and Gattinara Vigneto Molisino which were awarded a prestigious position in the U.S. Wine Buying Guide and the International Wine Cellar. Among the Nervi's highest- ranking products is the Coste della Sesia Spanna, a velvety red with a deep, somewhat astringent finish.

Giancarlo Travaglini (tel.0163/833588; fax 0163/826482)is a small-scale producer in Gattinara who pays close attention to the smallest detail. The family winery has been producing and bottling Gattinara D.O.C.G wines of extraordinary quality for more than 30 years. It is charcterized by an intense garnet color. Its predominant aroma of rose and violet is laced with traces of liquorice, vanilla, mushroom, woodruff and spices.

The Brugo vinyard (tel. 0163/833108) of Romagnano Sesia, drew attention to itself in 1998 with the production of a special run of only 1300 bottles of its Spumante Classico produced and strictly numbered on commission by 20th Century Fox Italia to celebrate the 11 Oscars awarded the film Titanic.
One of the area's finest distilleries is located in Ghemme, at Fratelli Francoli (tel. 0163/844711, e-mail: francoli@francoli.it); famous grappas are made here, those high-powered spirtis so loved throughoput Italy, distilled form the dregs of pressed grapes native to the region. The best bottles are those whose aging process has lent a particular flavor and especially intense aroma. There are myriad versions and sorts, making grappa a very personal experience.

How to get there
Gattinara is ca. 35 km from Milano Malpensa airport and around 60 km from Torino Caselle. Leaving Malpensa by car, take the autostrada A8 to the A26 Voltri - Sempione, tkaing the Romagnano exit 7 km from Gattinara. To reach Vercelli from Milano or Torino, take the autostrada A4
By train, go to Novara or Vercelli, both 35 km from Gattinara on the Milano-Torino line.