Vigna Valferana is Nervi-Conterno's most austere, mineral-driven Gattinara cru, an eight-hectare site with south and southwest exposure at roughly 300 to 360 metres. Its acidic volcanic porphyry soils, high altitude and cool microclimate give a Nebbiolo of piercing salinity, iron and crushed-rock character rather than sheer power. Cantine Nervi, the historic Gattinara estate, has been owned since 2018 by Roberto Conterno of Giacomo Conterno, who farms these steep slopes with low yields and close attention to soil and site. The 2021 season delivered a refined, lifted and chiselled expression, combining high-toned acidity with iron-clad tannins and the architecture to age gracefully for up to two decades, arguably even outliving the Molsino.

Valferana is made in the classic traditional style, with hand-picked Nebbiolo fermented on its skins to extract fine, precise tannins while safeguarding the wine's clarity and tension. Extended maceration builds structure without coarseness, and the wine's exceptional transparency to site is prioritised throughout. Ageing takes place in large-format wood, allowing slow maturation and integration while keeping oak flavour in the background so the crushed-rock, incense and iron notes remain to the fore. The 2021 is precise and refreshing on the palate, with fine tannins, vibrant acidity and an intensely saline, persistent finish, a wine built on energy and cut that rewards several years of cellaring. Specific cask sizes and elevage length were not published.