Le Piane

Le Piane is a producer based in Boca, in the Novara area of Upper Piedmont, associated with one of the region’s most distinctive and secluded wine appellations. Its character stems from the restoration of historic vineyards and its interplay with a hilly landscape situated between Valsesia and Lake Orta, at the foot of the Lower Alps. Here, the moderate climate, sunny exposures, significant daily temperature variations and the natural protection afforded by the hills promote slow and complete ripening, within a vineyard landscape surrounded by woodland and rich in biodiversity.

The most distinctive feature of Le Piane is its relationship with the porphyritic soils of volcanic origin, which have been broken down into fine, mineral-rich and acidic gravel. This soil type, rare in Italy, produces wines with a taut and deep structure, in which Nebbiolo – known locally as Spanna – finds a luminous and vertical expression alongside Vespolina, Croatina, Uva Rara and other historic grape varieties of the area. The presence of the ancient Maggiorine vineyards also preserves a valuable ampelographic heritage, helping to maintain continuity with Boca’s winemaking tradition.

In the vineyard, the focus is on the careful selection of the bunches and the quality of the raw material. In the cellar, a minimalist, artisanal approach prevails: fermentation without added yeasts, manual punching down, long maceration periods for the more terroir-driven reds, and ageing in large casks. The result is wines characterised by their vigour, refined tannins, aromatic complexity and a minerality that consistently reflects the volcanic and alpine nature of Boca.