Alto Piemonte · Winery · Curated profile

Tenute Sella

Tenute Sella

Tenute Sella is a family estate in Lessona, in the hills of Upper Piedmont near Biella. The Sella family bought its first vineyard here in 1671, after generations in the textile trade, and later added the Bramaterra estate in Villa del Bosco, planted from the 1880s, and vineyards in Brusnengo. Bramaterra is a single block of about 20 hectares on red porphyry soils, among the largest one-owner vineyards in Upper Piedmont.

The range centres on Nebbiolo-based reds: Lessona, Bramaterra, the old-vine selections San Sebastiano allo Zoppo and I Porfidi, and the flagship Omaggio a Quintino Sella, alongside Coste della Sesia reds, Erbaluce and Riesling whites, and two Nebbiolo sparklings. Lessona and Bramaterra are neighbouring DOC areas in the province of Biella, on marine sands and volcanic porphyry respectively.

At a glance

Region
Alto Piemonte, Piemonte, Italy
Address
Via IV Novembre 130, 13853 Lessona (BI)
Tours
Available
Tastings
Available
Wines listed
12
Website
https://www.tenutesella.it/

Visits & tastings

Visits are by appointment at the cellar in Lessona, with three set formats that all include a guided tasting. Book through the form on the website.

Tastings

  • Cellar visit and guided tasting · 4 wines · 1 h · €25
  • Cellar visit and guided tasting · 6 wines · 1 h 30 · €35
  • Vineyard and cellar visit with guided tasting · 8 wines · 2 h · €50 · includes a platter of local cured meats and cheeses

Tours

  • Cellar visit · included with every tasting · the 2 h option adds the vineyard

Good to know

  • By appointment only

Contact

Wines from Tenute Sella

  • Bramaterra: Bramaterra DOC, Nebbiolo 70%, Croatina 20%, Vespolina 10%, Red. A Bramaterra first mentioned in a document of 1447, from the estate's parcels in Villa del Bosco, made since 1902.
  • Casteltorto: Coste della Sesia DOC, Nebbiolo 60%, Croatina 35%, Vespolina 5%, Red. A local wine in a modern reading, from Bramaterra-area grapes vinified in large Slavonian oak vats.
  • Clementina: Spumante Brut Rosato, Nebbiolo 100%, Sparkling. A pink sparkling Nebbiolo, fresh and creamy with a dry finish, first made in 2015.
  • Doranda: Piemonte DOC, Erbaluce 100%, White. Erbaluce, called Greco Novarese locally, the typical white grape of Upper Piedmont, first made in 1993.
  • I Porfidi: Bramaterra DOC, Nebbiolo 70%, Croatina 20%, Vespolina 10%, Red. A selection from the estate's most suited vineyard on the highest hill, with grapes vinified separately and then blended.
  • Insubrico: Metodo Classico Pas Dosé, Nebbiolo 100%, Sparkling. A Nebbiolo Metodo Classico pas dose from the volcanic soils along the Insubric line, first made in 2014.
  • Lessona: Lessona DOC, Nebbiolo 85%, Vespolina 15%, Red. Lessona from the estate's parcels on the ancient marine sands of Lessona, aged 24 months in French oak.
  • Majoli: Coste della Sesia DOC, Nebbiolo 100%, Red. Nebbiolo pressed gently for a fresh, light-footed style, first made in 2006.
  • Omaggio a Quintino Sella: Lessona DOC, Nebbiolo 85%, Vespolina 15%, Red. The estate's principal label, made only in the vintages the family considers best and dedicated to Quintino Sella, the Risorgimento statesman.
  • Orbello: Coste della Sesia DOC, Nebbiolo 100%, Red. A young, versatile Nebbiolo with a focus on drinkability, first made in 1980.
  • Piandoro: Piemonte DOC, Riesling Renano, traces of Erbaluce, White. A Rhine Riesling grown in Brusnengo with a small share of Erbaluce, first made in 2015.
  • San Sebastiano allo Zoppo: Lessona DOC, Nebbiolo 85%, Vespolina 15%, Red. From the San Sebastiano allo Zoppo hill, planted to vines since 1436, with old Nebbiolo and Vespolina vines.