A short history of Sella & Mosca
- Sep 18, 2024
- 6 min read
The history of the oldest wine estate on Sardinia starts in Piemonte, in the very north of Italy, in the town of Biella.
Sella & Mosca grafting room c 1905, courtesy of Fondazione Sella
For generations, the Sella family had been running a successful business as manufacturers of woollen cloth in Biella. The family also owned vineyards in Bramaterra and Lessona acquired by Comino Sella in 1671 when he invested in what is now known as Tenute Sella, one of Alto Piemonte’s most historic estates, a sleeping beauty which only recently has been kissed awake, if only hesitantly.
When Giuseppe Venanzio Sella, the actual owner of Sella, died in 1876, his oldest son Carlo inherited the business. This left the other three siblings, Gaudenzio, Vittorio and Erminio, with the choice of working under their brother or starting their own activity. Their refusal to play second fiddle triggered the foundation of one of Italy’s most audacious viticultural enterprises ever. While all three went different ways, their separate roads would ultimately converge on Sardinia.
In 1886 Gaudenzio founded Banca Sella & Co, which still trades as Banca Sella. It was to play a key role in financing the adventure the Sellas were to embark on on Sardinia. Vittorio followed his passion for alpinism and photography and was hired by the Duke of the Abruzzi as his official photographer on his expeditions to, among others destinations, the Himalayas.