When you see the window from the street you create the idea of a well-stocked wine shop, but if you give yourself the gift of entering...
This place is much more than a simple wine shop, this place is the story of a family that has been able to change over time while keeping intact the passion for the type of work chosen by the great-grandfather and now in its 5th generation. It is Anna, the great granddaughter, who tells this long story.
"The story begins with an "aging cellar" back in 1885 and already in the early 1900s Cav. Luigi Caldi exported "his" wines to South America, in this case to Brazil! They worked a lot by rail transport since the wineries were born on the edge of the railway, but always and only wholesale, also making deliveries on horseback throughout Switzerland, in the Ossola valleys, up to the lower Piedmont. They bought the wine, put it in cask, let it age and resold it. Nebbiolo then became Gattinara, Ghemme, Spanna. Therefore the wines of our territory, which has always been rich and, for a period, also with the wines of the lower Piedmont.
The wine shop itself was born in 1965, with the next generation of my grandfather and my grandmother and with their children, Luigi, Zeno (my father) and Maria. The premises that you see now part of the wine shop were originally warehouses and workshops for the wholesaling and the stables for the horses. The first wines for retail sale were exhibited. The Gattinara was our flagship and over the years it has received many awards from 1900 onwards. In any case, the restaurants in the territory and in the lakes area continued to be supplied as well as those of the chain of “Ciga Hotels” in Venice.
Then the disciplinary and rules became more and more limiting and the work in the wine shop became stronger, so we stopped the bottling part to devote ourselves only to the development of the wine shop by taking up the space of the stables and laboratory. We have dedicated ourselves exclusively to retail, expanding the choice, in addition to wine, with beer, liqueurs and special sweets. Always trying to give the customer something special and unique, always with attention to quality.
So over the years the clientele has expanded and there has been a great loyalty. And we have also included 60 Gin labels in the list of products for sale. And so we have reached the 5th generation! Because now my son is there to support me. He has just taken on the role of Sommelier and I see that he is growing a lot and is also growing the younger clientele as well. However, we have noticed that, fortunately, in recent years people have developed an interest in "drinking well", have refined their palate and are more prepared on what for us and for our territory is not ONLY wine, but a heritage to be defended and keep. "
Chatting with Anna is always pleasant, in the back of the shop, with the fireplace lit and a glass of good wine in hand.
Take note to go and "visit" this shop, which is a small world, where, I am sure, you will surely find something pleasant for your palate!
Ditta Caldi Cav. Luigi Di Antamati Anna Via Maggiate 228021 Borgomanero - Novara – Piemonte – Italy – Telefono 0322 81414
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