La Colombera Derthona Timorasso 2024

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

About La Colombera

La Colombera is a story of farming tradition. Five generations of the Semino family have been dedicated to the soil of the family’s estate. Piercarlo and his children, Elisa and Lorenzo, are the current custodians of the estate, which was founded by Pietro, Piercarlo’s great-grandfather. Since 2000, the identity of their region, the Colli Tortonesi, has become increasingly tied to the Timorasso grape, which originated in this area, and which finds its best expression here.

Winemaker Elisa Semino is widely recognised as a brilliant and enthusiastic advocate for both the Timorasso grape and the Colli Tortonesi region. Her dedication and passion for this unique variety have earnt her the title of the ‘Timorasso Queen’ among her peers. Through her commitment, Elisa continues to play a significant role in promoting the distinct identity and quality of Timorasso, further cementing the reputation of Colli Tortonesi as its spiritual home. “After Walter Massa, we were among the first to believe in the rebirth of Timorasso,” Elisa recalled.

Timorasso is one of Italy’s most interesting and complex white grape varieties. It stands out not only for its distinctive character and aromatic profile, but also as one of the few white varieties that ages well. Over time, Timorasso develops increased depth and nuance, making it especially prized among enthusiasts seeking white wines with both immediate appeal and long-term potential.

Elisa makes two expressions: the first, which is their ‘classico’ style and comes from a collection of estate vineyards within the Derthona Comune, with extended time on lees to build weight and texture; the ‘Il Montino’ Cru is a step up in complexity, and it is the wine that has set the winery’s reputation as arguably the pinnacle for the grape.

In the Vineyard

The respect for agriculture and the land value gets back to the origin of La Colombera, when grandparents Pietro and Maria rented a farm on the hills in Vho in 1938. Wheat, chickpeas and alfalfa are grown there till the end of World War II, when Renato, who survived the war, marries Giuliana. At the birth of Piercarlo, their son, they bought their first tractor and planted the vineyards.

Nowadays La Colombera is run in the respect to the surrounding ecosystem. Only copper fungicide and sulphur are used in the vineyards. No herbicide : manual work in all activities is favoured in the vineyards, from pruning to harvest.
The maximum sustainability and soil preservation policy is applied. In the cellar, only sulphur is added before bottling.

Piercarlo and Elisa planted 5 different vineyardsto Timorasso using a selection massale. After many years of research and of sensory analysis, they succeed in getting a complete ampelographic (the study of grapevine identification) and aromatic profile as well as a greater complexity in the glass. As a result, they select the Montino Cru, the most awarded wine of La Colombera.

In the Winery

When young, the Timorasso is robust and pleasant; after bottle ageing, more interesting qualities emerge : mineral and hydrocargon notes, refinement and balance, power and intensity.

Where in the World is La Colombera?

La Colombera is located in the Colli Tortonesi DOC just east of Alessandria.