The Story Behind Casa Nizza D’Oro

Hidden among the rolling vineyards of Nizza Monferrato, at the top of Gavelli Hill, stands a house shaped by wine, light, and time. Long before it became a boutique retreat, the land was already telling its story. Barbera in the valleys, Chardonnay at the hill.

A Vineyard That Shaped Our Name

Casa Nizza D’Oro is built in the 19th century. At the top of Gavelli Hill, in Castelnuovo Calcea, this house once belonged to the historic Coppo winemaking family — one of the most respected names in the region’s wine history, pioneers of quality wine in Piedmont.

Surrounded by vineyards and open hills, the estate has always been deeply connected to the culture of wine that defines this landscape. For generations, Gavelli hill have been known for Barbera, or Nizza nowadays, — the powerful expression of Barbera that made this small corner of Monferrato famous among wine lovers.

Yet this particular hill holds a slightly different story.

Around the house lies nearly one hectare of Chardonnay — a vineyard planted by Coppo long ago and carefully preserved over time.

The Birth of a Name

Golden in the autumn light, our Chardonnay continues to shape the landscape around the house. Slowly, the vineyard itself inspired the name. Casa Nizza D’Oro. The Golden House of Nizza.

The name reflects the colour of the Chardonnay grapes at harvest, the warm evening light over the hills, and the quiet beauty of this corner of Piedmont. It is a tribute both to the land and to the wine heritage that has defined it for generations.

When imagining the future of the estate, we had a choice. The land would easily have allowed us to plant Nizza vines, just like many of the neighbouring vineyards. Instead, we chose to honour what was already here. The Chardonnay remained. We call it our golden Nizza.

A House Reimagined

Today, the historic house has been carefully reimagined as an intimate boutique retreat with just four luxury suites in the heart of wine country. Small by design, personal by nature.

Here, mornings begin slowly with breakfast serving with the view. Days are spent exploring nearby wineries, walking through the hills, or simply enjoying the stillness of the countryside.

Casa Nizza D’Oro is not simply a place to stay. It is a place to experience the landscape, the wines, and the slower pace of life that make Piedmont so special. A home among the vineyards. A golden hill. And a story that continues with every guest who arrives.