ITALY
Antonutti Vini
1921: CENTO E PIÙ (almost one hundred) years of history and the work of four generations, today the firm Antonutti Vini is run with passion by Adriana and Lino and their sons. About fifty hectares in the very heart of the Grave del Friuli appellation area, it is far from the more glamorous wine regions of Italy and away from the spotlight, but it is THE key to interpreting our history throughout the years and our knowledge.
The area of Friuli Grave covers more than one third of the wine extension of Friuli Venezia Giulia, where the Meduna, Cellina and Tagliamento rivers have left huge quantities of dolomitic limestone and dragged it to the valley. This area is protected from the North winds and benefits at the same time from the good effects of the nearby sea. Our grapes grow in Barbeano, a pebbly land, with a high day-night temperature swing: that’s why our grapes can be harvested late, containing more flavors and fragrances.
Braida
The name “Braida” began with Giuseppe Bologna, who carried it as a nickname and passed it on to his great grandson, Giacomo Bologna. Giacomo inherited vineyards from his father, as well as an unconditional love for his land and wine.
While fine Piedmontese wine has almost since time immemorial been synonymous with Nebbiolo, Giacomo Bologna’s hometown of Rochetta Tanaro was deep in the heart of Barbera country. Giacomo was understandably proud of their local specialty and made it his life’s mission to create a wine that could compete with the world’s finest. Believing in this grape’s inherent potential for greatness, Giacomo ventured to produce a “Super Barbera”, vinifying the grapes into a quality wine and maturing it subsequently in French barriques, a practice unknown to most at that time. He succeeded three times over, first with Bricco dell’Uccellone, the flagship wine of the company, which has now become one of the world’s famous Italian wines.
Braida produces high quality wines through the selection of suitable sites and use of state-of-the-art winemaking and bottling techniques, including the practice of sustainable viticulture and production. There is a wide range of temperatures and soil types - medium-heavy texture with sand and clay in Rocchetta Tanaro, Castelnuovo Calcea for their top quality Barbera, and clay and calcareous soil in Mango d’Alba for their sweet wines Brachetto and Moscato d’Asti.
Cantine Romagnoli
Cantine Romagnoli were born from the dream of a visionary entrepreneur who was the first to believe in the production of sparkling wines with Classico Method in Piacenza, always linked to territorial wines.
Today this same philosophy animates “New” Romagnoli led by Alessandro Perini: a winery with a young soul, very attentive to tradition but with a great desire to amaze.
Castellani
Castellani Spa is one of the leading Italian private wineries owned by Castellani Family that started its export activity in 1903. Today, Castellani exports quality Italian wines to 46 countries in the world.
The Company owns over 200 hectares of landed estate situated in the territories of Chianti Classico and in Colline Pisane area. Long-term contracts with other producers allow Castellani to control over 1000 hectares in the best wine-producing areas in central and southern Italy.
Col di Lamo
Col di Lamo is one of the most dynamic and innovative emerging wineries in the local landscape. An exclusive, all-female reality, owned by Giovanna Neri and her daughter Diletta, with a small production of absolute quality and refinement.
The estate covers an area of about 80 hectares: 6 of Brunello di Montalcino, 1.5 of Rosso di Montalcino, and 2 hectares of autochthonous vines, and is located in one of the most suggestive areas of Tuscany: between Montalcino and the gentle hills of the Val d'Orcia. The vineyards are located at an altitude of about 300 m a.s.l. and have a biological management, as does the entire wine cellar.
Contratto
Founded in 1867 by the Contratto family, Contratto is one of the oldest classic method sparkling wine houses, based in Canelli, Piemonte. In 150 years of winemaking, Contratto went from producing Moscato and red wine to Spumante Metodo Classico, Vermouth and liquors. They produced, in 1919, the first vintage classic method sparkling wine.
Since 2011 Contratto is owned by the Rivetti family, who is also known for La Spinetta in Castagnole delle Lanze. New and closer vineyards were acquired, quality improved and the Rivetti’s philosophy of the work of the vineyard was applied to focus on three grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Moscato for Alta Langa & Ast.
Ettore Germano
In the heart of the Langhe and Barolo area it is set a very small village called Serralunga d’Alba. we are located on a hill called Cerretta, one of the highest and largest in this village, which the Germano family has owned since 1856. My father Ettore built the wine cellar where it is still now, but we are already the fourth generation of Germanos winegrowers!
We own 20 hectares of vineyards, 10 of which are in Serralunga e 10 in Alta Langa (the highest hills of Langhe region). We grow only red grape varieties in Serralunga and in Alta Langa white grape varieties and Pinot Noir to produce our sparkling wine. We are 100% organic farming too! It is really a privilege to operate in an area highly suited to DOC and DOCG wines as the Langhe. My goal is to aim for the highest quality and personality, therefore craftsmanship and direct production of our wines.
In Serralunga we own four crus: Cerretta, Prapò, Lazzarito and Vigna Rionda which give us our traditional red wines as Nebbiolo, especially Barolo and a small percentage of Barbera. Particularly, Cerretta, Prapò and Lazzarito are our oldest properties, while we have owned a tiny part of Vigna Rionda cru, the most known and famous cru of Serralunga d’Alba since 2010. By the way, I love white wines and that is why we produce Langhe Riesling Hèrzu, Langhe Chardonnay and Langhe Nascetta . Our white wines are very mineral and salty while our red wines are elegant and with an austere flavour. We produce sparkling wines as Extra Brut Alta Langa DOCG (made up with Pinot Noir grape variety and Chardonnay grape variety) and Extra Brut Rosé Rosanna (a Nebbiolo grape variety). Both of our sparkling wine are classic method, the finest technique to make sparkling wines.
Many of our wines are closed with the Stelvin capsule to guarantee all the expressive integrity and to reduce the added sulphites.
Our philosophy is to respect the territory with sustainable cultivation and follow the tradition with a contemporary approach to give the consumer a concentrate of finesse, elegance and wholesomeness.
Ferghettina Franciacorta
Our family shares everything: the project, the wine and the emotion which spreads from tasting a Franciacorta together, savouring the result of our passion.
We are a family of farmers and wine growers, deeply attached to a land which gives us labour and joy every day.
In 1990 the Gatti family took over the management of four hectares of land and a real estate located in Erbusco, where they soon created a wine cellar. After the harvest of 1991 they presented their first two wines: a Terre di Franciacorta red wine and a white one.
Nowadays, we run 200 hectares of vineyards located in 11 municipalities of Franciacorta, conforming to organic farming principles, in order to exploit the resources of the different soils as fully as possible, to enhance the quality of our wines.
Our wine originates on the gentle hills of Franciacorta. It’s on these sunny slopes, located in the foothills of Alps that overlook the Lake Sebino, that our grapes grow and ripen, subjected to constant monitoring and care.
Fattoria Zerbina
The history of Zerbina as a wine-producing estate began in 1966 when Vincenzo Geminiani, decided to plant the first vineyards and estate-bottle his own production.
Located on the green hills just a few miles from the historical city of Faenza, the vineyards of Fattoria Zerbina extend around the estate’s working center. The lower
parts of the estate, characterized by more fertile soil and a damper microclimate during the final part of the growing season, are used for the cultivation of Trebbiano and, above all, Albana, which here finds ideal conditions for the development of noble rot. The higher zones are characterized by various types of terrain ranging from calcareous clays to alluvial soils, both ideal for the cultivation of Sangiovese.
The area of erosion furrows is considerably smaller; characterized by an important presence of grey clays, still relatively young and fresh, it is more suited to the cultivation of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Matteo Correggia
The history of this family business is the story of an evolution, which advances step by step thanks to the people who are part of it and who daily put pride and passion into writing its path. A path that has maintained constant loyalty towards its territory, Roero, enhancing it also through the exclusive use of the Roero Docg. The company achieves goals and sets new objectives: in the field of organic viticulture, experimentation and synergy between wine and other forms of art.
Paolo Manzone
Cascina Meriame is immersed in the lush heart of the Langhe of Barolo, where Luisella, Gianpaolo and the staff will heartly welcome you and wish you a very pleasant vacation in the fascinating landscape of Piedmont. During your stay, you’ll be able to visit the winery and wine-taste the products of agricultural holding.
Pelissero
Our family has always been dedicated to agriculture with a Langa and peasant DNA. We are in Treiso, a township that became independent from Barbaresco in 1957, located in the heart of the production zone of one of the top three Italian DOCG, the Barbaresco, son of King Nebbiolo. It is the grape varietal that more than any others has defined the history of our hills and of the national and international viticulture.
We are the heirs of this land and of this vine.
The spirit of continuous research in the vineyard, and afterwards in the cellar, plus passion, commitment and innovative dynamism are our firm bases.
A little example are the three tanks where we collect the rains for around 300.000 liters of water that we use – instead of using the public one – to make our treatments into the vines.
And the pensile perennial garden upholsteries made on the last cellar extension, that permit a more natural control of the different building spaces’ temperatures.
Meanwhile into the cellar, the beginning of a research by selecting an indigenous natural yeast to keep, use and breed for the future years.
And last but not least the conversion we’re now adopting, to obtain all our vineyards cultivated with a sustainable agriculture.
Querciabella
"In the world of Fine Wines, Querciabella stands out for the uncompromising commitment to respect the rich diversity of the Tuscan terroir.
Founded in 1974 on the hillside of Greve in Chianti, the estate has since grown to over 100 hectares of organic vineyards across Chianti Classico and Maremma, balanced ecosystems where healthy vines can thrive.
The unique vegan biodynamic approach from vineyard to bottle brings out the essence of each grape to the highest degree possible, leading to exceptional oenological results.
Santa Barbara
The name Santa Barbara pays homage to our land, our tradition and those we worship. The history of this place dates back to the 6th century when Senigallia was a Byzantine city and a Lombardic (and therefore “barbarian”) outpost was set up in a nearby village. Since then, that village took the name of Barbara which is where our winery is located today, having the privilege of being housed in an old monastery.
Spinetta
La Spinetta is a world-famous winery, owned by the Rivetti family, producing high-quality Italian wines in Piedmont and Tuscany.
In the early 1960s, Giuseppe Rivetti and his wife Lidia, were dedicated farmers who transmitted their passion, humility and respect to their children Carlo, Bruno, Giorgio and Giovanna. These are the values that still define the philosophy of La Spinetta.
In 1977 the brothers took over and began the production of the first single-cru Moscato in Italy: Bricco Quaglia and Biancospino. Due to the great success, they decided to focus on red grapes; in 1985 Barbera Ca di Pian was released, followed by Pin.
Thereafter, the first Barbaresco Gallina, was created in 1995, followed by Starderi and Valeirano.
Driven by ambition and Giorgio’s wine knowledge, a few hectares in Grinzane Cavour were acquired.
In 2001, they created a new winery in Tuscany, Casanova della Spinetta to reverse the trend of working with international grape varieties, and stay true to the respect for indigenous varietals, like Sangiovese.
Tenute Folonari
Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari represent the exclusive nature of Tuscany, with its rich heritage of land and traditions. Innovation, creativity, research and respect for diversity are the values on which the family’s history is based. The Folonari estates produce some of the best wines in Tuscany, the perfect expression of areas best suited to wine production: Chianti Classico, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Bolgheri and Montecucco in Maremma.
Tenuta Santa Lucia
Santa Lucia estate was founded in the early ‘60s forming a farm of about 100 ha of which 12 are vineyards. They are located at 250 m. above sea level at Mercato Saraceno in the Savio valley, right in the heart of Romagna. The Sangiovese, the Albana, the Famoso and the Centesimino are the chief protagonists: they are the main vines of our region where they are able to express important varietal features thanks to the peculiar paedo-climatic conditions. All vineyards are grown according to organic farming with espalier training system and Guyot pruning. In recent years outstanding outcomes have been achieved through the evaluation of the lunar phases influence (both in the vineyards and in the cellar) applying biodynamic philosophy.
Our philosophy has always been to create a range of quality handcrafted made wines that maintain the greatest respect for man and nature.
That’s why we decided to change to organic and biodynamic production.
Ville di Antané
The winery Le Ville di Antanè was established in 2011 by three young entrepreneurs in the wine business; a winemaker and his brother together with a land owner with marketing expertise. All three of them with a shared passion for wine.
On 20 hectares in the heart of Valpantena Valley, in the Valpolicella district, the vineyards stretch out under the sun and the grapes ripen on the terraced slopes made with respect to the landscape. The same care and attention is paid to the management of the vineyards and the harvest techniques to ensure high standards with consideration for the plants.
The varieties used for the wines are mainly indigenous grapes like Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Mollinara and Garganega, but also international grapes like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio are used in the wines.
The vineyards' geomorphological features are unique in the Veneto region and have given rise to varieties capable of producing full-bodied, world famous wines such as Amarone, Ripasso and Valpolicella Superiore.The philosophy behind the wines is good value for money along side with low impact on the environment using energy saving production methods and producing organically grown grapes.
Volpe Pasini
Located in the heart of the DOC zone of the Colli Orientali of Friuli and built at the end of the 16th century, Volpe Pasini is one of the oldest wineries in North East Italy.
The Volpe Pasini vineyards are located in the northernmost end of the Friuli hills. The eastern hills, whose land is Ponca, give the Volpe Pasini vineyards extreme vigor and strength. The influence of the mountain range behind these historic vineyards is essential for a successful agronomy.
52 hectares of vineyards, of which half are for white grapes and half are for red grapes, on the hills of Togliano and Prepotto, in the best wine growing areas of the Colli Orientali of Friuli.
Volpe Pasini wines are the most icy and elegant expression of hilly Friuli. Freshness, elegance and extreme longevity are the features that best represent the soul of the corporate style.
Modern production techniques lead to a product whose respect for environment is central and in harmony with the territory.