The Gaja family settled in Piedmont, Italy, in the mid-seventeenth century. Since Giovanni Gaja founded the winery in Barbaresco in 1859, five generations have maintained an unbroken winemaking tradition based on uncompromising quality.

His son Angelo and daughter-in-law Clotilde Rey established this philosophy, which their son Giovanni upheld while acquiring iconic estate vineyards such as Sorì Tildìn, Costa Russi, Sorì San Lorenzo, and Darmagi.

In 1961, his son Angelo joined the winery, blending local traditions with bold innovations and expanding Gaja’s reach globally. GAJA was a regional pioneer in single-vineyard vinification, moving beyond traditional blending to showcase specific terroirs. Today, Angelo, his wife Lucia, and their children—Gaia, Rossana, and Giovanni—manage the estate, which spans 96 hectares (240 acres) across premier Barbaresco and Barolo districts.

The unique combination of microclimate, soil, and old Nebbiolo vines defines these vineyards. Working with single sites also revealed how the distinctive Langa soils imprint their character on international varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon from the Darmagi vineyard.

To preserve vine health and long-term quality, GAJA introduced updated massal selection parameters in 2016 to identify the most resilient Nebbiolo vines. Premier sites like Costa Russi, Sorì Tildìn, Sorì San Lorenzo, Sperss, and Conteisa have yielded around 300 biotypes, fostering crucial intra-varietal biodiversity. Today, the Gaja name remains synonymous with quality, innovation, and continuous excellence in Italian winemaking.