Five generations of Langa winemakers
Monforte d’Alba - Sara Vezza was born in 1980 and is mother to four children: Clara, Cecilia, Giovanni and Cesare. She represents the fifth generation of winegrowers in Monforte d’Alba in the Langhe. Already at 17, she dreamt of becoming a winemaker. At 19, her dream came true as she took over managing the family estate. At 22 came her first harvest– not even a thousand bottles. Today she oversees an estate comprising 11.5 hectares of autochthonous vines, mostly Nebbiolo, Barbera and the rare Rossese Bianco. She produces about 90,000 bottles of certified organic wine each year. Sara has made significant new investments including a purchase of 16 hectares in Murazzano, where she is planting Pinot Nero and Chardonnay to make Alta Langa, the Piedmontese sparkling wine.
The story of Josetta Saffirio dates back to the end of the 19th century, when the first Saffirio, Giovanni Battista, moved to the Langhe. At the beginning of the 20th century, Josetta’s father, Ernesto, began to cultivate vines. In 1975, a very young Josetta decided to take over her father’s vineyards. Armed with a degree in agriculture and accompanied by her oenologist husband Roberto, she began to work the vines planted by her grandparents at the end of the Second World War.
After several years, Josetta and Roberto saw their efforts rewarded with a Nebbiolo of recognised quality. In 1985, their first Barolo, with today’s same label, was introduced, a product of constant passion and effort. After a hiatus in the 1990’s, Josetta and Roberto’s daughter, Sara, decided to devote herself to the family vineyards and thus write a new page in the Josetta Saffirio story. The latest addition to the family is the Sara Vezza brand, giving identity to the estate’s cru wines–from Barolo Ravera to Barbera d’Alba Villar’o, to Alta Langa.
In 2021, Sara won the national «Women and Sustainability» prize, a video contest promoted by Istat on the occasion of the 7th General Agricultural Census.
Sara was among the three finalists of the EU Organic Awards prize, in the Best Organic Farmer category. The contest, established by the European Union, aims to give visibility to high achievers in organic growing.
Two product lines: Josetta Saffirio e Sara Vezza
AZIENDA AGRICOLA SARA VEZZA
Località Castelletto, 39 | 12065 Monforte d’Alba (CN) - Italy - + 39 0173 787278
