To the west of Gattinara, Bramaterra DOC is a denomination of seven communes, the largest of which are Masserano and Brusnengo. The name of the denomination comes from a large farmhouse within the denomination that belongs to the historic Sella family, who, over the centuries, have been involved in trade, banking, agriculture and wine. Today, there are nearly 40 hectares in production within the denomination, one of the larger ones in Alto Piemonte. Most of the area has thin soils over rocky porphyry subsoil, resulting in naturally low yields. The western part has sandy soils, the eastern side has more clay, while the southern part has richer soils. Bramaterra was granted its DOC status in 1979.
Porphyry bedrock emerging in a Bramaterra vineyard
The wines must be blends with a maximum of 80 per cent Nebbiolo, plus Croatina, Uva Rara and/or Vespolina. Maximum yields are a low 52.5 hectolitres per hectare, reduced further to 47 for riserva wines. The standard wine must be aged for a minimum of 22 months before release, of which a minimum of 18 months must be in wood. This is increased to 34 months and 24 months for riserva wines.
