Story: Forteto della Luja | Piedmont
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A hidden gem in Piedmont
In the middle of the rolling hills of Piedmont, in the picturesque village of Loazzolo, lies the Forteto della Luja winery - a real insider tip, even for experienced wine lovers. Nestled in a nature park protected by the WWF, this small, family-run winery combines a deep respect for nature with centuries of tradition. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in authenticity, care and passion for the highest quality.

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History with depth
The history of the estate dates back to 1826, when it was moved to its current location by the family of the maternal line of the current owner Giovanni Scaglione. Historic buildings from the late 17th century and an ancient stone cellar tell of the long tradition of viticulture at this location. For many decades, the grapes were mainly sold, with only a small proportion being used for the estate's own wine production - until the tide turned in 1985.

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The ascent with Moscato
The decisive impetus came from Giacomo Bologna, who, together with Giovanni, allowed the Moscato grapes to ripen on the basis of an old family tradition. The result was the Moscato Passito “Piasa Rischei” - a wine of outstanding quality that has received numerous awards. In 1992, the associated area of origin was officially recognized as Loazzolo DOC - to this day the smallest controlled designation of origin in Italy, a true rarity.

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In harmony with nature
The name “Forteto della Luja” refers to the surrounding forests and the Luja river that runs through the estate. The estate has been an officially WWF-recognized oasis since 2007. The combination of nature conservation and environmental protection goes beyond viticulture here: in 2011, the site also became a teaching location for the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo. Giovanni Scaglione - who is also an organic farmer - runs the winery with great responsibility and ecological conviction.

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Small, fine, consistent
Despite - or perhaps because of - its manageable size, Forteto della Luja today stands for wines of remarkable finesse. The consistent conversion to organic cultivation and adherence to artisanal production make the winery a model for sustainable quality viticulture in Italy. Forteto della Luja is not just a place for exceptional wines, but a living example of the harmonious combination of tradition, innovation and ecological awareness - a place where wine enjoyment and nature are in harmony. - Gerardo [TS07/25]

"With its centuries-old traditional Piedmontese house and a stone cellar dating back to the 1700s, Forteto della Luja, located about 20 miles west of Alba, is dreamy in every way. It is so unspoiled that the World Wildlife Federation has described it as an ‘oasis of diversity’. The wines of Forteto della Luja somehow convey the feeling of not having been tampered with. What I call ‘delicacy’ does not come from a particular philosophy, but rather from a greater sensitivity of reverence. Wines grown with this sensibility almost never seem overdone - not too oaky, not too tannic, not too focused on muscular interventionism. Their stylistic vulnerability makes them appear delicate, free of calculation." - Wine Spectator