From Sparrow’s white wine list, the La Scolca Gavi is one of the most prized bottles we pour, a benchmark Italian white from a truly historic estate ($480 by the bottle). It is a treat for anyone who loves crisp, mineral whites with real pedigree.
About La Scolca Gavi
La Scolca is the name that put Gavi on the map. Gavi is a Piedmont appellation in northwest Italy, made entirely from the Cortese grape and bottled as Gavi DOCG, so this is a Piedmont wine through and through (not Tuscany). Founded in 1919, La Scolca is widely recognized as the first producer of quality Gavi and one of Italy’s most historic white wine houses. After the Second World War the Soldati family chose to focus entirely on Cortese, championing careful, modern vinification to preserve the grape’s delicate fruit and crisp acidity. In 1966 they launched their trademarked Gavi dei Gavi, the famous Black Label that other producers can only echo as Gavi di Gavi. The estate is still run by the Soldati family across multiple generations, and the Black Label remains their flagship, drawn from the oldest vines and best sites and recognizable by its clear bottle and distinctive black label. It is a wine with genuine history in every glass, which is part of why it is such a special pour to share on the Eastside.
Tasting Notes
Gavi from Cortese is prized for being dry, fresh, and mineral, the kind of white that stays bright and precise from the first sip to the last. Expect crisp citrus and orchard fruit, a clean stony minerality, and a long, refreshing finish. La Scolca’s reputation rests on elegance and structure rather than flash, a white that is both immediately enjoyable and built to age gracefully.
What to Pair It With
This is a classic seafood and shellfish white. From the Sparrow dinner menu, pour it with Fresh Oysters, the Tuna Tartare, the Wild Alaskan Halibut, the Pacific Black Cod, or the Scallops and Prosciutto. It is also lovely with the Burrata Avocado or a Spring Arugula Salad to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is La Scolca Gavi from and what grape is it?
La Scolca Gavi is from the Gavi DOCG in Piedmont, in northwest Italy, and it is made entirely from the Cortese grape. La Scolca is the historic producer behind the trademarked Gavi dei Gavi, the famous Black Label.
How much is La Scolca Gavi at Sparrow in Kirkland?
La Scolca Gavi is $480 by the bottle at Sparrow in Kirkland. It is one of the premium Italian whites on our list.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu near the Saracco Moscato d’Asti and the Champs Perdrix White Burgundy. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and come taste it.