Fara

🇮🇹 Italy

DOC Ultra-rare

DOC 1969 - Alto Piemonte Lombard settlement, ~20ha, Fara Novarese + Briona communes, "Spanna" Nebbiolo gateway

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Region profile

History

Name derives from Lombard word "Fara" meaning extended family group or clan settlement, established around AD 568-600 when Germanic Lombards invaded Italy. Vineyards documented since medieval period. DOC established 1969 alongside Boca and Lessona. Once thriving with 6+ producers in 1980s, now only Dessilani actively bottles under Fara DOC label. Other growers sell grapes to larger houses or bottle under IGT. Represents accessible entry point to Alto Piemonte Nebbiolo without austerity of Boca or structure of Ghemme.

Climate
Continental Alto Piemonte; volcanic-glacial morainic soils from Valsesia supervolcano; iron-rich red clays; 2 communes only: Fara Novarese and Briona (Novara province); vineyards 250-350m elevation; Monte Rosa alpine influence; protected from cold north winds
Signature wines
Dessilani Fara DOC (benchmark, only active bottler, Caramino and Lochera crus); Dessilani Fara Riserva (34 months aged); historically: Bianchi, Francoli, Ponti (now dormant or selling grapes)
What sets it apart
Named for Lombard "Fara" clan settlement ~AD 600; only 1 active bottler remaining (Dessilani); softest, most approachable Alto Piemonte DOC - gateway Nebbiolo style; 2 communes only (Fara Novarese, Briona); DOC 1969; ~20ha; 50-70% Nebbiolo/Spanna vs higher percentages elsewhere; Monte Rosa alpine base; iron-rich volcanic-glacial moraines

Facts

  • ~20 hectares
  • DOC 1969
  • 2 communes only (Fara Novarese, Briona)
  • named for Lombard settlement "Fara" meaning clan/family ~AD 600
  • sits at base of Monte Rosa
  • only 1 active commercial bottler remaining (Dessilani)
  • once had 6+ producers in 1980s
  • 22-month minimum aging (12 wood)
  • Riserva 34 months (20 wood)
  • gateway to Alto Piemonte Nebbiolo - softer, approachable style

Region profile from the Wine Memories wine-data corpus · verified January 2026