Rediscovering historical vine varieties, such as Freisa and Malvasia di Schierano, and enhancing them together with the territory’s typicity, was and continues to be the aim of the company. Plus, further developing typical grape varieties of the Piedmont such as Barbera and Nebbiolo. Gianni Vergnano started the company in 1983, and continues to strive towards these goals. Today the company bears the merit of having gradually brought back to life a number of indigenous varieties of grapes. Loyalty to the various varieties of grape have rendered Cascina Gilli’s labels to be a recognized standard.

Cascina Gilli is located on a ridge of white soil, within a territory given classically to the production of quality wines. The entire territory is composed of „Marne di Sant’ Agata“ (white soil), not common to many terroirs, it provides for an unusual intensity of bouquet and elegant structure. The first bottles released were of the Freisa ferma variety, vintage 1985, with the future aim of bringing this variety to a superior level of quality. A few years later Gilli started producing Malvasia, earning immediate enthusiastic apprioval by the critics. Today the winery grows on 12 hectares of vineyard, and besides continuous experimentation and research on Freisa and Malvasia, it produces further DOC varieties such as Nebbiolo, Barbera and Bonarda.

The company is located just outside Castelnuovo Don Bosco, nestled in amoung the Monferato Astigiano hills. If you follow the winding road that leads towards Albugnano, you notice Cascina Gilli, the headquarters of the company with its distinctive ochre-colored tower, the porticoed terraces and the surrounding park. The villa dates to the 1700‘s, and is located next to the winery. The spacious courtyard provides superb views of the vineyards. It alone is worth a visit, but for those seeking to be enchanted by this corner of the Piedmont, there are numerous places of interest to visit, from Romanesque churches to Lavender fields, trekking paths, castles and medieval villages.