Azienda Agricola Ioppa is one of the crown jewels in northern Piedmont. Established in 1852 in the village of Romagnano Sesia, on the banks of the Sesia River. With a stunning view of Mount Rosa to the north it is easy to see that the Alps play a major role in the climate and soils that make Ghemme DOCG one of the most unique terroirs in Italy. Soils are composed of granite, quartz and iron left behind from the retreat of the Mount Rosa glacier at the end of the Ice Age. Further erosion of the Alps and the granite infused sands were moved here by the Sesia river. Ghemme is mostly composed of alluvial soils but has one large plateau above the river where the soils are more firm and are a mix of hard clay and mineral rocks of iron and quartz. The wines of Ioppa are traditionally based with longer macerations, lighter extractions and aged in large cask. They capture the floral side of Nebbiolo and Vespolina and highlight complex red fruit and spice. The wines are built to age for decades but are kept for several years in the bottle in the cellars prior to release in the market so the vintages available are in a perfect spot to begin enjoying right away. Both 2006 and 2007 were incredible northern Piedmont vintages.