Angelo Gaja is probably one of the greatest names in Italian winemaking. Born in 1940, he took over the family vineyard in 1961 in the hilly Langhe region of the Piedmont which can trace its roots back to 1859. He now manages approximately 100 hectares of wines and does not buy in any grapes. Gaja was instrumental in raising the international profile of fine Piedmontese wines, notably Barbarescos and Barolos, with his distinctive use of new vinification techniques and ageing methods, at odds with regional practices at the time: choosing the best parcels, reducing yields, and using new French oak casks instead of Yugoslavian oak barrels. His best Barbaresco parcels now produce some of the finest wines in Italy (Sori Tildin, Sori San Lorenzo, and Costa Russi). He was also the first winegrower to plant Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay, as well as Sauvignon Blanc instead of Nebbiolo, contrary to the advice of his peers.

The Darmagi vineyard is located near to the village of Barbaresco, at an altitude of 320 metres. It was the first vineyard in the Piedmont region to be planted with Cabernet Sauvignon following the phylloxera epidemic in 1978. The first vintage was produced in 1985. Aged for 12 months in barrels and another 12 in casks, this is a well-structured, powerful and rich wine, designed to age well (20 to 30 years).