Storia
Origins approximately five centuries ago
La Polastra traces its roots back approximately 500 years to Giuseppe and Carlo, ancestors of Claudio Andrea Gemme. The two men were mercenary soldiers who became attached to Gavi while returning home. They established the first vineyards, planting Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto and Cortese. Cortese would subsequently become the emblematic grape of Gavi.
The earliest vineyards were associated with the hills along the Strada delle Parodine, beside Cascina Polastra, on the route from Capriata D'Orba through San Cristoforo toward Gavi.
Expansion to Neive
The original project later extended beyond the territory around Cascina Polastra into the wine landscapes of Langhe, Roero and Monferrato. Its arrival in Neive opened a new chapter based on Nebbiolo, including the production of Nebbiolo DOC and Barbaresco DOCG from predominantly south-facing vineyards.
Union with Castellari Bergaglio
La Polastra subsequently joined Castellari Bergaglio, bringing together two separate wine histories under the Castellari Bergaglio brand. The alliance arose from the meeting of Silvia, Claudio Andrea Gemme and Marco Bergaglio and was framed around a shared pursuit of quality and the continuity of long-established projects and traditions.
The union connects vineyards on two opposite hills: La Polastra's side at Capriata D'Orba and the Castellari Bergaglio side at Rovereto di Gavi. Both are influenced by maritime air from nearby Liguria, while their distinct but complementary terroirs broaden the combined range. La Polastra's wines continue within the Castellari Bergaglio portfolio.
Management of the combined business was entrusted to president Claudio Andrea Gemme, assisted by Silvia and Marco for their winemaking experience.
Terroir
Capriata D'Orba and San Cristoforo
La Polastra's Gavi vineyards occupy sunny Piedmontese hills extending between Capriata D'Orba and San Cristoforo in the province of Alessandria. The vines are situated at approximately 250 metres above sea level and are exposed to maritime breezes arriving from the Ligurian Sea. Their soils combine clay with marly and ferruginous components.
The historic setting is the hill corridor along the Strada delle Parodine, beside Cascina Polastra, leading from Capriata through San Cristoforo toward Gavi. Capriata D'Orba and Rovereto di Gavi form the two opposing hills associated with the post-union project; both receive maritime air from nearby Liguria, but their terroirs are presented as distinct and complementary.
Neive
The estate's later expansion reached Neive in the province of Cuneo, within the wider landscapes of Langhe, Roero and Monferrato. The Nebbiolo vineyards there are predominantly south-facing and grow on clay-rich calcareous marl.
Vinificazione
La Polastra's historical vineyard identity began with plantings of Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto and Cortese around Cascina Polastra. The project subsequently expanded to Neive, where Nebbiolo is cultivated in predominantly south-facing vineyards on clay-rich calcareous marl and trained to Guyot.
The Cortese vineyards between Capriata D'Orba and San Cristoforo stand at approximately 250 metres above sea level on clayey, marly and ferruginous soils. Native white grapes also contribute to the sparkling range.
La Polastra works with both white and red vinification and produces still and sparkling wines.
Cortese for still Gavi undergoes gentle pressing followed by temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless-steel tanks with selected yeasts. The wine remains on its lees for approximately 75 days.
Sparkling production follows the Martinotti method. White vinification is followed by a second fermentation in an autoclave, with total lees contact during the two-fermentation process lasting approximately 60–70 days.
Nebbiolo DOC ferments in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks with selected yeasts and is subsequently matured in bottle. Barbaresco is made by traditional red vinification: fermentation and maceration take place in steel with selected yeasts at controlled temperature, accompanied by pump-overs for at least 20 days. Its maturation exceeds 20 months, including 10 months in oak, and the finished wine is described as having low total sulfites.
Filosofia
La Polastra's identity is built around continuity between an approximately five-century family history and the landscapes in which its vineyards developed. The post-union project presents quality as a shared objective and treats the distinct terroirs of Capriata D'Orba and Rovereto di Gavi as complementary rather than interchangeable.
The alliance with Castellari Bergaglio is intended to carry forward projects and winemaking traditions established over many years. Its declared principles include attachment to terroir, respect for the harvest, continuity across generations and the pursuit of quality, with Cortese serving as the central link between the two hills.