The Gaja family settled in Piedmont in the mid-seventeenth century. Five generations of Gaja’s have been producing wines in the Langhe hills since 1989, the year Giovanni Gaja, a local grape grower, founded the Gaja winery in Barbaresco.

Following years of dedication to uncompromising quality, the wines achieved a leadership position in Italy and the family was able to purchase vineyard holdings acquiring Sorì Tildìn, Costa Russi, Sorì San Lorenzo and Darmagi.

Angelo Gaja took over the family business in 1961 and combined his respect for the traditions of the Langhe with bold innovations in the vineyards and cellars which changed the way that wines were produced all over Italy.

Angelo lives in Barbaresco with his wife Lucia and their three children, Gaia, Rossana and Giovanni who represent the fifth generation of the family and are all involved in the business.

Today the winery owns 96 ha of vineyards in Barbaresco and Barolo. In 1994, the Gajas acquired their first estate in Tuscany, Pieve Santa Restituta in Montalcino. In 1996 the family purchased their second Tuscan property, Ca’ Marcanda in Bogheri.

Langhe DOC is a wine appellation located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, encompassing the rolling hills around the towns of Alba, Barbaresco, and Barolo. Established as a DOC in 1994, this designation covers a broad area within the famous Langhe hills, which are part of the larger Cuneo province. The appellation was created to provide greater flexibility for producers working with both traditional Piedmontese varieties and international grape types.

The Langhe hills feature a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters, moderated by maritime influences from the distant Mediterranean. The diverse soils range from calcareous clay to sandy formations, creating varied microclimates across the zone. The DOC regulations permit a wide range of grape varieties, including traditional Piedmontese grapes like Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto, as well as international varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. This flexibility allows producers to create both varietal wines and blends under the Langhe designation.

Langhe DOC wines reflect the diverse terroir and grape varieties permitted within the appellation. White wines from varieties like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc often display mineral complexity with good acidity, while maintaining the elegance characteristic of high-altitude Piedmontese vineyards. Nebbiolo-based reds from this appellation tend to be more approachable than their Barolo and Barbaresco counterparts, offering the variety's signature floral aromatics and structured tannins in a style designed for earlier consumption.