Gaia & Rey

Gaja is one of the best-known wine producers in all of Italy. Originating in and still based in Barbaresco, in northwest Italy. Gaja name remains most strongly associated with Nebbiolo-based wines, though the company now makes more wine in Tuscany than Piedmont.  The business was founded in 1859 by Giovanni Gaja with just two hectares (five acres) of vineyards in Barbaresco. Each generation saw expansion, although Angelo Gaja, who took over full-time in 1970, is often credited with the estate's more recent success. 

The Gaja estate's first white wine, sourced from the Gaia & Rey vineyard which was planted in 1979. It is named for Angelo Gaja's oldest daughter, Gaia Gaja, and his grandmother, Clotilde Rey. It is a 100% Chardonnay varietal wine, with 6–8 months of barrique aging with malolactic fermentation.

Gaja Gaia & Rey is a beautifully refined Chardonnay that marries richness with striking precision, opening with expressive aromas of white peach, Meyer lemon, acacia blossom, honey, pastry cream, toasted hazelnut, cedar, and delicate smoky oak over a chalky mineral core. The palate is full-bodied yet vibrant, with layered flavors of ripe orchard fruit, citrus zest, vanilla bean, and subtle butter framed by bright, spine-tingling acidity and a saline mineral edge. Seamlessly integrated French oak adds texture without overwhelming the fruit, leading to a long, elegant finish marked by notes of crushed stone, gentle spice, and lingering freshness. While already captivating, the wine has the balance and structure to evolve gracefully over the next 8–10 years.