Legend has it that Colombana came to Italy via St. Columban, an Irish missionary travelling Europe. 

Colombana has been revealed as being identical to Verdea, a rare white grape variety found in Lombardy.

Currently there are very few wines being made from Colombana. Around 3000-4000 bottles a year are made by Fattoria Fibbiano, and this is definitely worth tracking down. It is grown in soils rich in marine sediment and gives a very mineral style in the glass.