Tenuta San Pietro Gavi 2024

Tenuta San Pietro is a historic estate in Tassarolo, one of the eleven communes of the Gavi DOCG in southeastern Piedmont. The property traces its roots back to land surrounding an old Benedictine convent and today is farmed organically and biodynamically by the Cabella family. The estate stretches across rolling limestone hills not far from the Ligurian coast, a proximity that gives the wines a fresher, more saline character than many inland Piedmont whites. Farming is central to the identity of the winery, with vineyards surrounded by woods, meadows, and native vegetation rather than planted as monoculture blocks.

The Gavi 2024 is made entirely from cortese grown on white calcareous soils around Tassarolo at elevations reaching roughly 300 meters. In this part of Gavi, cortese tends to produce wines with more tension and mineral lift than overt fruit weight, especially when yields are controlled and harvests are done by hand. Tenuta San Pietro’s version leans toward a more textural and quietly complex style rather than the very neutral, simple expressions sometimes associated with the appellation.

In the cellar, the grapes are softly pressed and fermented slowly at low temperatures with indigenous yeast. The winery avoids heavy filtration and excessive manipulation, preserving the natural texture and aromatics of the fruit. Stainless steel is used to maintain freshness and precision, allowing the vineyard’s mineral character and the grape’s subtle floral notes to stay front and center.

The 2024 shows white peach, citrus blossom, green apple, and pear layered over crushed stone and a gentle almond note typical of cortese. There is a soft roundness through the mid palate, but the wine stays lifted by bright acidity and a clean saline finish. Compared to many lighter, more anonymous Gavis, this feels more grounded and expressive, with a little extra texture and depth without losing its freshness.