The story of Timorasso, the Piedmont grape brought back from near-extinction

Timorasso is a native, white Piedmontese grape variety that had almost completely disappeared but has made a remarkable comeback.

References to the variety (sometimes under different names) suggest it has been grown in the region since the early 13th century, but only half a hectare of Timorasso remained by 1985.

Once destined for oblivion, the grape was saved when visionary pioneer Walter Massa recognised its potential.

Massa became the first – and for some time, the only – person to believe in the variety, especially its capacity for ageing.

But others began to see its potential too and by 2025, plantings of Timorasso had grown to 500 hectares.

What does Timorasso taste like?

The typical characteristics of this hard-to-cultivate variety, which also requires careful attention during vinification, include lively acidity, accompanied by a sapid, lingering finish.

Often quite deep in colour – veering towards gold – it can be both mineral and lemony in character or richer, with stone and honey notes.

If you see one be sure to ask what style you're going to get!

Where is it grown?

Timorasso is now the focus of wine production that has transformed the Colli Tortonesi, an unspoilt environment where vineyards, orchards, fields, woods and meadows coexist in a mosaic of biodiversity.

Colli Tortonesi in Piedmont is a place where new wineries keep appearing, and even producers from the Langhe are investing here.

Derthona (a future sub-zone of the Colli Tortonesi Timorasso DOC) continues to grow steadily, underlined by the ‘Derthona Giovani’, a vibrant group of young winemakers collaborating to drive forward these increasingly promising Timorasso wines.

Timorasso: Five to try

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