Gattinara is the region’s most noble wine, a worthy rival to the more famous Barolo to the south; all wine bearing the Gattinara appellation must be grown within the municipal boundaries which lie just outside the Colline Novaresi area. This wine was awarded DOC status in 1967 and DOCG in 1991, along with Ghemme the only local wine to win this accolade.

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The main grape variety used is nebbiolo, or spanna as it known locally, along with small quantities (no more than 10%) of Vespolina and/or Bonarda.

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The minimum aging period is three years of which at least one year must be in oak casks.

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If Gattinara is the undisputed king of wines in northern Piemonte, the most esteemed producer of wines is undoubtedly Travaglini whose unmistakeable paunchy asymmetrical bottles, dating back to 1958, you will probably already have glimpsed in pride of place in local restaurants and wine bars. 

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The main grape variety cultivated is nebbiolo though Vespolina and Uva rara are used for Travaglini's popular “Cinzia” table wine, named after the great granddaughter of the man who founded the winery in the 1920s.

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The  cantina is open to the public most days and you can enjoy a pleasant walk through the vineyards to the top of a hill on which stands a tower.