Quila

The name QUILA derives from the common part of the Italian word “aquila” (eagle) as the estate vineyards in Cossano Belbo (Langhe) have the form of an eagle’s head and “tequila” as a large quantity of agave had been planted there by the previous owners. QUILA’s logo represents an eagle’s head and agave leaves in form of a wing. Also the Golden eagle is the official symbol of Mexico as well as tequila is its most famous drink worldwide. The connection with Mexico comes also through the so called Mexican “Nebbiolo”, one of the top red grapes grown in the country, which actually is another Piedmontese variety, nearly extinct in its homeland. One of the main QUILA’s missions is to discover the potential of this “secondary variety” that has already received numerous accolades under the Mexican flag, in its homeland. The research started in 2015 and involves already several producers from Mexico and the Universities of Turin & Piacenza.

In 2019 Bisso found the last existing micro-vineyard of the Mexican “Nebbiolo” in Piedmont, near Tortona and made one barrel of single variety Moretto (the local name of the grape), the first ever produced in Italy (available in limited quantities under the MX♦Quila Piemonte DOC Rosso label).

Moretto grapes continued to be sourced from that plot during the subsequent 3 vintages. Planting material has also been sourced from the micro-vineyard and the first 0.4 ha of Moretto have been planted at QUILA Estate in 2021.

In 2023 the Moretto vineyard in Cossano produced its first grapes. Due to the severe droughts during the last 2 years and the heavy fungal attacks thier quantity was extremely reduced. Only one barrel of Langhe Rosso biologico (organic) was produced and will be released not earlier than in 2025.

Apart from Moretto, QUILA cultivates Favorita, Muscat of Canelli, Nebbiolo and Dolcetto. Most of the wines Bisso makes are quite experimental, like the “orange” Favorita with up to 200 day maceration in amphora (A♦Quila Langhe DOC Favorita), a dry Muscat (MUS♦Quila Piemonte DOC Moscato secco – see esCAMOtage), and a rosé pet-nat made from Muscat and Dolcetto (MO♦DUS). In 2022 two more reds were added to the portfolio. The first is an old vines Dolcetto based field blend (Bric Bissarello), the second is an old vines Nebbiolo “ripasso” (Jeff Pramas). Bric Bissarello gathered many accolades with its first release, like a bronze medal at DWWA 2022 (only 10 Dolcettos got medals) and a gold medal at WOW!, the wine competition of Civiltà del Bere. In 2023 the MUS♦Quila 2021 wan a Grand Gold Medal at WOW! and was proclaimed «ambassador of the territory» (see blog entry).

The research and experiments continue thanks to several varieties found in the oldest QUILA vineyard, planted in 1935: genetic analyses revealed the presence of such varieties as Uvalino, Malvasia di Casorzo and Brunetta di Rivoli, several clones of Freisa & Barbera.