Magari is a red wine from Ca' Marcanda, the Gaja family's estate in Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast. Ca' Marcanda was founded in 1996 near Castagneto Carducci and has around 80 hectares of vineyards in the Bolgheri DOC. The first vintage of Magari was 2000, and its name means "if only it were true" or "maybe" in Italian.
The blend is Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. The vines grow on two types of soil: dark soil rich in lime and clay, and white soil full of limestone, clay and stones. Each variety ferments and macerates separately, and the wine is aged for 16–18 months in oak, then blended and aged for a few more months in bottle before release.
2024 was a warm year with frequent rain until early July, followed by a dry, warm July and August with wide temperature swings. The wine is a bright, lively ruby red, with a vibrant, layered nose of garrigue, crisp red berries, black tea and subtle balsamic notes. The palate has medium structure, silky, enveloping tannins and glyceric richness, with a savoury, open and expressive finish.
Serve at 16–18 °C with beef steak, lamb, Tuscan meat dishes or aged Pecorino.
The Gaja family settled in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy in the mid-17th century. They have been producing wine in the Barbaresco area since 1859. Four generations of dedicated work and a noble pursuit of making top-quality wines have made the Gaja name synonymous with Italian winemaking excellence worldwide. Today, the fifth generation – Gaia, Giovanni, and Rossana Gaja – continues the family traditions, leading this legendary winery.
Currently, Gaja in Piedmont produces both classic expressions of the ‘Nebbiolo’ grape – Barbarescos and Barolos – and innovative “Langhe DOC” red and white wines from international grape varieties. The family also owns two estates in Tuscany: “Ca’Marcanda” in Bolgheri, famous for its “Super Tuscan” wines, and “Pieve S. Restituta” in the Montalcino area, producing “Brunello di Montalcino” wines. Additionally, a joint project with Alberto Graci in Sicily, at the foot of Mount Etna, testifies to the family’s constant pursuit of innovation and quality.
The Gaja family firmly believes that the true spirit and quality of wine are born in the vineyards themselves. Therefore, the greatest attention is paid to vineyard care: searching for climate change-resistant clones, limiting yields, growing other crops between vineyard rows to enrich the soil and help retain moisture and protect the harvest from heat. The highest quality standards are applied to all farms: grapes are grown only in family-owned vineyards, adhering to ecological and sustainability principles, with particular attention to soil quality and biodiversity.
Wine Style
Gaja wines are characterized by elegance, complexity, and perfectly reflect the terroir of their origin regions.
Prestigious Vineyards
The Gaja family owns prestigious vineyards in the Piedmont and Tuscany regions:
Aging and Consumption Period
Gaja wines are characterized by an excellent balance, allowing them to be enjoyed both young and mature. They have immense potential to age and develop over time, revealing new nuances of their character.
