A DELIGHTFUL COUNTRY TALE
Ten vineyards, six houses, a church.
Braida’s story is linked to that of Rocchetta Tanaro, a small town in the Monferrato area.
“My village is not a surprise, it is ten vineyards, six houses, one church”: these are the words of the chansonnier Paolo Frola, who is also the local GP in Rocchetta. The song was written with Gianni Mura, drinking the Barbera of Rocchetta. Some of the ten vineyards in Frola’s song belong to Braida. They were owned by grandfather Giuseppe, who left them to his son Giacomo, and now they are cultivated by Giuseppe and Raffaella Bologna.The estate is the product of the enthusiasm, passion and entrepreneurial courage of a bona fide Rocchettese, Giacomo Bologna
“Braida” was the nickname that Giacomo’s father, Giuseppe Bologna, a professional carter, had earned himself by playing handball, because of his resemblance to the champion of this sport. Along with his father’s nickname Giacomo also inherited his love of the sport and of horses, and a large Barbera vineyard on the Rocchetta hills.
The story of Braida
2025
Limonte GB debuts with the first three vintages: 2016, 2017 and 2018.
2024
Obtaining the recognition “Historical Brand of National Interest” by the Minister of Economic Development.
2022
Fortieth harvest of Bricco dell’Uccellone!
2021
Braida turns sixty and a new chapter in history opens: the Braida Wine Resort is inaugurated.
Planting of the oak forest in Montebruna.
Planting of the oak forest in Montebruna.
2020
Completion of the Il Bacialè project. Halving of the quantities produced to obtain a wine of perfect quality that enhances the evolutionary potential. Modification of the composition of the blend, with the definitive exit of the Pinot Noir and the increase in the quantity of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, which was introduced for the first time in the 2016 vintage. The percentage of Merlot and Barbera remained unchanged. After the separate vinification of the individual vines, the refinement now lasts three years, one in barrique, one in large barrels and the last in the bottle.
2019
Bricco dell’Uccellone “Wein Legende 2019” and first harvest of Curej.
2018
After a long absence, Ai Suma returns, vintage 2015.
2012
30 years of Bricco dell’Uccellone.
2011
50 years of La Monella.
2008
Grappa di Bricco dell’Uccellone is made. From an intuition of the master distiller Gianfranco Berta, who wanted to collaborate in making the image of Barbera d’Asti great, a grappa has been added to the Braida family of wines since 2008. The aged Grappa of Bricco dell’Uccellone is obtained from the distillate of the pomace of one of the most famous wines of the Rocchetta Tanaro cellar.
2001
Another important union successfully created by Giuseppe Bologna is that of the many plots of land that now make up the extensive vineyard of Montebruna: the first Montebruna Barbera was harvested in 2001.
1994
The first vintage of Il Bacialè, a project by Giuseppe Bologna that marries the family’s great love, Barbera, with Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, dates back to 1994.
1990
First harvest of Vigna Senza Nome.
Traditionally Braida purchased the grapes for Moscato d’Asti from producers in Canelli. At the end of the 1980s Giacomo Bologna bought a plot of land in Mango, in the Langhe, in the typical area of Moscato DOCG to produce quality Moscato from a single vineyard. The Bolognas wanted to buy the entire vineyard with his name, but since it was divided into several plots owned by as many growers, the undertaking proved impossible. For this reason the Braida vineyard plot was called ‘Vigna senza nome’ and this is the name that the wine still bears on the label today.
Traditionally Braida purchased the grapes for Moscato d’Asti from producers in Canelli. At the end of the 1980s Giacomo Bologna bought a plot of land in Mango, in the Langhe, in the typical area of Moscato DOCG to produce quality Moscato from a single vineyard. The Bolognas wanted to buy the entire vineyard with his name, but since it was divided into several plots owned by as many growers, the undertaking proved impossible. For this reason the Braida vineyard plot was called ‘Vigna senza nome’ and this is the name that the wine still bears on the label today.
1989
1989 First harvest of Ai Suma.
In autumn 1989, the promise of a great harvest filled the air in Rocchetta Tanaro. Ignoring every else’s opinion, including that of his oenologist, Giacomo waited until the grapes were overripe. The finest bunches in one of Braida’s vineyards were left on the vines until the middle of October. He said that if the market didn’t understand this wine, then he’d drink it all himself. A delegation of Georgians was expected in Rocchetta Tanaro. On the 16th of October 1989, halfway through the morning, the late harvest went ahead. That same evening, Giacomo Bologna crushed the grapes with his Soviet friends. “Kaumar gioss”: the toasts raised that evening in Rocchetta Tanaro were in Georgian, the language spoken in the cradle of wine. “Ai Suma!” exclaimed Giacomo Bologna when he tasted the wine, after it had spent six months in French oak casks. “Ai suma!”, “We did it!” is what Giacomo Bologna used to say to everyone when he realised that one of his wines had reached perfect maturity. A new Braida Barbera was born.
In autumn 1989, the promise of a great harvest filled the air in Rocchetta Tanaro. Ignoring every else’s opinion, including that of his oenologist, Giacomo waited until the grapes were overripe. The finest bunches in one of Braida’s vineyards were left on the vines until the middle of October. He said that if the market didn’t understand this wine, then he’d drink it all himself. A delegation of Georgians was expected in Rocchetta Tanaro. On the 16th of October 1989, halfway through the morning, the late harvest went ahead. That same evening, Giacomo Bologna crushed the grapes with his Soviet friends. “Kaumar gioss”: the toasts raised that evening in Rocchetta Tanaro were in Georgian, the language spoken in the cradle of wine. “Ai Suma!” exclaimed Giacomo Bologna when he tasted the wine, after it had spent six months in French oak casks. “Ai suma!”, “We did it!” is what Giacomo Bologna used to say to everyone when he realised that one of his wines had reached perfect maturity. A new Braida Barbera was born.
1988
In 1988, the family bought the Serra dei Fiori estate in Trezzo Tinella, running it together with brothers Renzo and Valerio Giacosa. With the help of Roberto Macaluso, professor of viticulture and oenology, friend and promoter of the defence of native grapes, they planted white varieties, including Nascetta, launching the Braida white wine project.
1982
From the beginning of 1982, Giacomo began to experiment with his innovative idea of pairing Barbera with the barrique: the vintage was exceptional; when the wine, Bricco dell’Uccellone, came out of the barrique, Californian oenologist André Tchelistcheff came to Italy and approved it, decreeing its success. Two other Barbera wines were born in those years in the Rocchetta Tanaro cellar: Bricco della Bigotta in 1985 and Ai Suma, obtained from a late grape harvest (end of October) in 1989. The three Braida reserves are made in the best vintages only.
1961
1961 was the date of the first harvest of the lively Barbera del Monferrato, “La Monella”, which Giacomo Bologna decided to bottle. In 1969 Giacomo presented his wine at the Douja d’Or National Wine Competition in Asti, winning the gold medal, which allowed him to participate free of charge in the wine fairs of Genoa, Turin and Milan, where he shared his thoughts on Barbera with other winemakers.
Ten vineyards, six houses, a church.
Braida’s story is linked to that of Rocchetta Tanaro, a small town in the Monferrato area. “My village is not a surprise, it is ten vineyards, six houses, one church“: these are the words of the chansonnier Paolo Frola, who is also the local GP in Rocchetta. The song was written with Gianni Mura, drinking the Barbera of Rocchetta. Some of the ten vineyards in Frola’s song belong to Braida. They were owned by grandfather Giuseppe, who left them to his son Giacomo, and now they are cultivated by Giuseppe and Raffaella Bologna. The estate is the product of the enthusiasm, passion and entrepreneurial courage of a bona fide Rocchettese, Giacomo Bologna.
“Braida” was the nickname that Giacomo’s father, Giuseppe Bologna, a professional carter, had earned himself by playing handball, because of his resemblance to the champion of this sport. Along with his father’s nickname Giacomo also inherited his love of the sport and of horses, and a large Barbera vineyard on the Rocchetta hills.
The story of Braida
2025
Limonte GB debuts with the first three vintages: 2016, 2017 and 2018.
2024
Obtaining the recognition “Historical Brand of National Interest” by the Minister of Economic Development.
2022
Fortieth harvest of Bricco dell’Uccellone!
2021
Braida turns sixty and a new chapter in history opens: the Braida Wine Resort is inaugurated.
Planting of the oak forest in Montebruna.
Planting of the oak forest in Montebruna.
2020
Completion of the Il Bacialè project. Halving of the quantities produced to obtain a wine of perfect quality that enhances the evolutionary potential. Modification of the composition of the blend, with the definitive exit of the Pinot Noir and the increase in the quantity of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, which was introduced for the first time in the 2016 vintage. The percentage of Merlot and Barbera remained unchanged. After the separate vinification of the individual vines, the refinement now lasts three years, one in barrique, one in large barrels and the last in the bottle.
2019
Bricco dell’Uccellone “Wein Legende 2019” and first harvest of Curej.
2018
After a long absence, Ai Suma returns, vintage 2015.
2012
30 years of Bricco dell’Uccellone.
2011
50 years of La Monella.
2008
Grappa di Bricco dell’Uccellone is made. From an intuition of the master distiller Gianfranco Berta, who wanted to collaborate in making the image of Barbera d’Asti great, a grappa has been added to the Braida family of wines since 2008. The aged Grappa of Bricco dell’Uccellone is obtained from the distillate of the pomace of one of the most famous wines of the Rocchetta Tanaro cellar.
2001
Another important union successfully created by Giuseppe Bologna is that of the many plots of land that now make up the extensive vineyard of Montebruna: the first Montebruna Barbera was harvested in 2001.
1994
The first vintage of Il Bacialè, a project by Giuseppe Bologna that marries the family’s great love, Barbera, with Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, dates back to 1994.
1990
First harvest of Vigna Senza Nome. Traditionally Braida purchased the grapes for Moscato d’Asti from producers in Canelli. At the end of the 1980s Giacomo Bologna bought a plot of land in Mango, in the Langhe, in the typical area of Moscato DOCG to produce quality Moscato from a single vineyard. The Bolognas wanted to buy the entire vineyard with his name, but since it was divided into several plots owned by as many growers, the undertaking proved impossible. For this reason the Braida vineyard plot was called ‘Vigna senza nome’ and this is the name that the wine still bears on the label today.
1989
First harvest of Ai Suma. In autumn 1989, the promise of a great harvest filled the air in Rocchetta Tanaro. Ignoring every else’s opinion, including that of his oenologist, Giacomo waited until the grapes were overripe. The finest bunches in one of Braida’s vineyards were left on the vines until the middle of October. He said that if the market didn’t understand this wine, then he’d drink it all himself. A delegation of Georgians was expected in Rocchetta Tanaro. On the 16th of October 1989, halfway through the morning, the late harvest went ahead. That same evening, Giacomo Bologna crushed the grapes with his Soviet friends. “Kaumar gioss”: the toasts raised that evening in Rocchetta Tanaro were in Georgian, the language spoken in the cradle of wine. “Ai Suma!” exclaimed Giacomo Bologna when he tasted the wine, after it had spent six months in French oak casks. “Ai suma!”, “We did it!” is what Giacomo Bologna used to say to everyone when he realised that one of his wines had reached perfect maturity. A new Braida Barbera was born.
1988
In 1988, the family bought the Serra dei Fiori estate in Trezzo Tinella, running it together with brothers Renzo and Valerio Giacosa. With the help of Roberto Macaluso, professor of viticulture and oenology, friend and promoter of the defence of native grapes, they planted white varieties, including Nascetta, launching the Braida white wine project.
1982
From the beginning of 1982, Giacomo began to experiment with his innovative idea of pairing Barbera with the barrique: the vintage was exceptional; when the wine, Bricco dell’Uccellone, came out of the barrique, Californian oenologist André Tchelistcheff came to Italy and approved it, decreeing its success. Two other Barbera wines were born in those years in the Rocchetta Tanaro cellar: Bricco della Bigotta in 1985 and Ai Suma, obtained from a late grape harvest (end of October) in 1989. The three Braida reserves are made in the best vintages only.
1961
1961 was the date of the first harvest of the lively Barbera del Monferrato, “La Monella”, which Giacomo Bologna decided to bottle. In 1969 Giacomo presented his wine at the Douja d’Or National Wine Competition in Asti, winning the gold medal, which allowed him to participate free of charge in the wine fairs of Genoa, Turin and Milan, where he shared his thoughts on Barbera with other winemakers.