Wines
Livio Felluga
Friuli (Collio)
This family-owned winery is one of the historic estates of Friuli, Italy, founded in the 1950s. The Felluga family has been making wine for five generations, with the mantra that “premium-quality wine is made first in the vineyard and then in the cellar”. Their vineyard management philosophy is one of sustainability - “low environmental impact integrated pest management” and most of the vineyards share a similar soil type of Marl and sandstone flysch of Eocene origin. The first year of production in the Friuli estate was in 1956, when Livio Felluga purchased a few hectares of vineyard at Rosazzo, now considered one of the finest wine zones in the region. Today, the Livio Felluga estate has 160 hillside hectares under vine, with an annual production averaging 750,000 bottles, exported all over the world. Livio, now 95 years old, still helps his children (Maurizio, Elda, Andrea and Filippo) continue the family winemaking tradition.
Vignamastre
Tuscany
The Vignemastre project started in 2005 when two winemakers, Filippo Artini and Dario Parenti from Le Uve, created a concept winery of their own. This winery would have great value as a focus, while looking out for the environment and being true to the grape itself. The wine would need to express the varietal aromas of the grapes from which it was made, with no use of oak barrels, as they often make wines look alike. These factors limit the impact on consumer health, because of low sulfite levels in the wine, and on the environment, as no trees were cut down to make barrels.
Le Cheval Fou
Rhône (Hermitage)
Bio-dynamic vineyards
The tiny French appellation of Hermitage is regarded as the most prestigious appellation in the northern Rhône, the southeastern region of France that makes some of the world’s best Syrah. With vineyards owned by John Schwartz (Amuse Bouche, PharoahMoans), this tantalizing wine marks the launch of the first-ever, American-grown Hermitage wine in France. This authentic Hermitage was produced in cooperation with legendary winemaker Michel Chapoutier from 100% biodynamically farmed and vinified syrah grapes.
Petra
Tuscany
Petra is located in Suvereto, inside the Tuscany Maremma area, in San Lorenzo Alto. The estate spreads over 300 hectares and has vineyards, woods and olive-groves growing on it, suggesting a magic landscape almost fading away against the shining surfaces of Tirreno Sea.
In 1997 Vittorio Moretti and his daughter, Francesca, founded this small boutique winery. They created a spectacular winery with a contemporary structure designed by the famous Swiss architect Mario Botta, who also designed the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Kuehling-Gillot
Rheinhessen
The winery Kuehling-Gillot has been in viniculture since the 18th century. Today they not only own one of the best sites on the Rhine terrace, but they can also claim a true architectural gem: a garden similar to a park, with its renowned pavilion (which also decorates their labels) and reception halls and a vinothèque offering unequalled opportunities.
For generations women have been in charge at Kuehling-Gillot. This has also not changed in the 21st century. Since 2002, Carolin Spanier-Gillot, has been the manager of the winery. She graduated in wine-growing engineering, and was the co-founder of the association of young winegrowers "message in a bottle", and involved in the women network "vinissima". According to some she is a whirlwind among German woman winegrowers.
Galante Vineyards & Winery
Carmel Valley
Organically Grown
The Galante family has a long history in the Monterey area. Owner Jack Galante’s great grandfather, J.F. Devendorf, was the founder of the town of Carmel. J.F. later built the Pine Inn, and the prestigious Highlands Inn. In 1969, Jack’s parents purchased a 700-acre cattle ranch in the rustic Carmel Valley. While still maintaining a working cattle ranch, the Galantes, in 1983, began growing premium grapes on their property, specializing in Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1994, Jack Galante decided to build a winery and use some of his grapes to produce ultra-premium estate bottled wines. Today. Galante is recognized as one of the premier Cabernet Sauvignon producers in Monterey County.
The Galante Vineyards philosophy is to grow the finest grapes possible and let the fruit express itself in the wine. Since all of their grapes are estate grown, each bottle of wine they produce embodies the characteristics of the unique region, exhibiting the natural flavors that are born from the land.
Marcel Deiss
Alsace (Haut-Rhin)
Certified Biodynamic - Demeter
Domaine Marcel Deiss is located in the beautiful Bergheim, and was established in 1947 by the grandfather of the current owner, Jean-Michel Deiss. Marcel Deiss is one of the leading 
producers in Alsace, focused on terroir wines that have been organically farmed for over 20 years and biodynamic since 1998. Jean-Michel with oenologist Marie Helene Cristofaro carefully look over their vineyards by ploughing rather than using weed killer, utilizing natural compost, planting grass between the vines and harvesting by hand.
Marcel Deiss wines are unique in Alsace as they are not labeled by varietal but are labeled by the specific vineyard. This allows the unique characters of each vineyard to express itself in each wine. Deiss seeks to express each wine with three factors: the grape variety, the vintage and the terroir.
“Just about any French vineyard owner will talk terroir given the opportunity, but no one argues the case for terroir more passionately than Marcel Deiss.” Robert Parker
“Jean-Michel Deiss has been growing some of the finest wines in Alsace for more than a quarter century and with them – as well as with his passionately articulate discourse – capturing the imagination and affection of wine enthusiasts world-wide. But the bearded sage of Bergheim is never satisfied, and beginning in the late eighties, he began to completely re-think his wines and means of truly embracing his terroirs. The result was new acquisitions and plantings to achieve (beginning a decade ago) single-vineyard, field-blend bottling the likes of which had scarcely been seen in Alsace for the better part of a century, and to certain of which the governing authorities have recently been persuaded (perhaps as much by Deiss’ metaphysics of terroir as by the profundity of his vinous results) to grant the status “Grand Cru.” Wine Advocate, February 2008
Rudi Pichler
Wachau
The Pichler family has been involved with viticulture in the Wachau for many generations. The main building at Wösendorf, first documented in 1575, was in their possession in 1884. In 1904, the small agricultural farm was taken over by Johann Pichler, and was passed to Rudolf Pichler Sr., who in turn passed it on to his son, Rudolf Jr. Rudi III who took over the reigns in 1997. Currently, they operate 12.5 hectares of vineyards, with grapes from an additional 3 hectares utilized through contracts with other vintners. Grüner Veltliner represents 65% of their vineyards, with Riesling totaling 30%, and the remaining 5% made up of Weißburgunder (Pinot blanc) as well as other varieties. All of these are vinified in the Wachau quality categories of Steinfeder, Federspiel and Smaragd.
Domaine Jean-Michel Stephan
Rhône (Côte-Rôtie)
Organic Practices
Jean-Michel is a rising star. As someone who tires to be organic at every turn, Jean-Michel is planting massale-selection Serrine whenever possible. At present, his vineyard is around 60 percent clone, 30 percent Serrine and 10 percent Viognier. The last is also being regenerated and at Verenay he has planted 500 young Viognier cuttings grafted from an old massale plant. In the vineyard upkeep, Jean-Michel picks the soil around the wood of the older vines and cuts the weeds on the surface. The steep slopes are ploughed by hand. “I make wines on the fruit, without sulphur,” he states. “I want fruit and maximum freshness.”
“A young producer who has just under 12 acres of vines, Jean-Michel Stephan is a mystical winemaker, eschewing any kind of yeast, chaptalisation, enzymes, or even sulfur.” - Robert Parker, Jr.
Jean-Michel with son
Loimer
Kamptal
Certified organic (Lacon Institute), in conversion to Biodynamic
Although Fred Loimer has joined the ranks of Austrians best wine producers, he still is for many an undiscovered secret! Year after year, he impresses with his benchmark Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, which reflect high quality as well as the terroir and special microclimates of the Kamptal. When it comes to producing wine, the cool climate is certainly one of Fred Loimers biggest challenges. In Spring 1998 Loimer purchased the former cellar of Castle Haindorf, which is located on the outskirts of Langenlois and offers ideal climatic conditions for the aging and storing of high-quality wines.
Saint Jean du Barroux
Rhône (Côtes du Ventoux)
Organic and bio-dynamic farming
The wines of Saint Jean du Barroux are romantically created by winegrower and oenologist Philippe Gimel, a former pharmacist who uses organic and bio-dynamic farming practices in the vineyards. All grapes are hand picked and de-stemmed by hand. Le Barroux is a little Provencal town next to Beaume de Venise and in between the Dentelles de Montmirail and the Mont Ventoux. Saint Jean du Barroux is a wine that presents the terroir of its origin in the best way. The wine doesn’t imitate but showing the unique soil, the underground and the climatology of the hill which brings a differentiation in grape variety and then the wines. The great mineral composition in the wine well expressed these differences.
Domaine des Martinellles
Rhône (Hermitage)
A wine-producing estate that has been in the family for 3 generations and is now managed by Aimé and Pascal Fayolle. A little over 20 hectares are planted with Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Saint Joseph appellations in the Northern Cotes du Rhône. Their vineyards lie across four different areas: Les Murets, Les Dionnières, La Beaume and Les Pierrelles. The vineyards are south-facing. Syrah is grown on the areas of stony brown sand and marsanne is grown on the areas of loam and red clay. The vineyards are mainly located on hillsides, which makes it difficult to use machinery, especially for the harvest which is still done by hand.
In the 1970s, the winery buildings surrounded the family’s cellar. In 1998, a new underground cellar and a vatting room were built. A new extension is to be built soon, to house a pressing room and a storage room for palox boxes and bottles.
Daniel Schuster Wines
Waipara, North Island
“Daniel Schuster is one of the New Zealand’s eminent names, his career spanning four decades from researching viticulture in the early 1970’s at Lincoln University, winemaker at the first commercial winery in Canterbury at St. Helena as well as consulting at Ornellaia and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and authoring several books. All wines from Daniel Schuster Wine Ltd (est. 1986) are sourced from their three vineyards: Omihi Hill and Petrie in Waipara and Petrie in Rakaia.” Neal Martin, erobertparker.com
The winery is located in the fast emerging wine producing district of Waipara in North Canterbury. While many New Zealand wineries strive to produce intensely fruity wines with a bold influence from oak, Daniel Schuster Wines pursue a more refined style of wine that possesses subtlety of flavour, softness of texture and harmonious balance that is further enhanced by partnership with food.
The unique environments of the Estate Vineyards are ideally suited for the production of premium quality wine from Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay. Wines under the regional ‘Twin Vineyards’ label are made in a more supple style for earlier drinking while the vineyard ‘Selection’ wines are only made in the best vintages to genuinely reflect their special ‘terroir’ and are structured to reward longer term cellaring.
In recognition of his 36 year contribution to the wine industry, Danny Schuster was awarded ‘the Nestle Professional CHADS Directors Award’ in 2008 for Lifetime Achievement - “A person who, over an extended period of time, has shown outstanding commitment to the betterment of their chosen profession, is recognized throughout the industry for their continued presence in the marketplace and respected industry-wide for their achievements.”
Daniel Schuster and Gary Vaynerchuk
Prinz von Hessen
Rheingau
The estate Prinz von Hessen lies in Johannisberg in the Rheingau or "Rhine District" near Wiesbaden, the heart of German viticulture. The estate is headed by Landgrave Moritz von Hessen and his son, Prince Donatus. Since 1956, the estate has gathered a great collection of wine rarities that often yield high sums at first standard wine auctions.
Prinz von Hessen is one of Germany’s leading Riesling producers and member of the Association of German Predicate Wine Estates (VDP). In the Rheingau, Spätlese (late-harvest wine) was discovered and optimized. Monks from the Cloisters Eberbach and Johannisberg introduced Riesling wine culture in the eighteenth century. Sited in a unique cultural landscape, the Rheingau’s viticulture epitomized the standard for viticulture in Germany at the end of the nineteenth century. With the harvest of 1999, wines from classified sites in Germany garnered the top-level designation "Erstes Gewächs" ("First Growth") for the first time. This classification also originates from the Rheingau, as do many quality establishing innovations.
Around 60 percent of the estate Prinz von Hessen’s wine sites are classified as First Growth Sites (Erste Gewächslagen) such as: Johannisberger Klaus, Winkeler Hasensprung and Winkeler Jesuitengarten.
Roagna
Piedmont (Barbaresco)
"Luca Roagna is one of the most promising young winemakers in the Langhe. Low yields, late harvests, long macerations and extended periods of oak aging are the rule at this traditionally-minded estate. Historically Barolo and Barbaresco were left to macerate on the skins until around the Christmas holidays, a practice unheard of today but still followed here. The normal bottlings of Barolo and Barbaresco typically see around 50 days of maceration while the selections may see as many as 75 days. The wines then undergo a lengthy sojourn in oak which allows them to develop the tertiary notes that the estate seeks. The wines spend an additional year to year and a half of bottle age before being released. I have mixed feelings about the long oak aging the estate prefers. In some cases the wines have the stuffing to stand up to extended periods in oak, but in other cases I can’t help thinking the wines would retain more fruit and freshness if they were bottled earlier. The wines are also very delicate and don’t respond well to sudden movement or temperature changes immediately prior to serving. I have had my best luck letting them gradually warm from cold cellar temperature and opening them several hours before serving. Readers who appreciated traditionally made wines should be sure to put Roagna on their radar screens." Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate.
Winemakers, Alfredo & Luca.
Nevis Bluff
Central Otago, South Island
The world’s southernmost wine region is found in Central Otago, New Zealand, in the same 45 degree latitude as top winegrowing regions in France.
From one of Central Otago’s best known high country sheep stations owned by the Cook family, to a boutique vineyard planted under the prominent Gibbston Valley landmark from which it takes its name, Nevis Bluff is one of Central Otago’s original pinot producers. They gained instant recognition with their first commercial vintage and have since enjoyed top accolades and excellent reviews. An eight hectare vineyard was planted in 1993 and from those beginnings they have grown their vines dedicated to providing superior Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris with consistent quality.
As well as harvesting the grapes from the original vineyard in the Gibbston Valley, their grapes are also sourced from L’Attitude Vineyard, based in the Cromwell basin. This top quality vineyard is planted to Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Riesling, ensuring excellence in grape quality and the ability to blend wines from two geographic sub regions.
F.X. Pichler
Wachau
"F.X. Pichler is the Chateau Latour, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Zind-Humbrecht, Sandrone and Helen Turley of the Wachau." Robert Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate, 2002.
This fifth-generation family winery started around 1928 when Franz Pichler started to rigorously select Gruner Veltliner clones by focusing on small-berried grapes. These produced lower yields, yet afforded higher extracts and tighter aromas and flavours. Pichler is proud of their single-vineyard sites because the authenticity of their wines is individually based on each site. It is primarily the steep mountainous terraces from the 12th and 13th centuries, which produce mighty wine, exhibiting a delicate, dainty opulence.
The Wachau is a cultural landscape that was officially documented by the admission of the 36-kilometer long riverside between Melk and Krems as a "Cultural World Heritage" by UNESCO. The Wachau is the only region in Austria that identifies specific styles of wine by using the terms Steinfeder, Federspiel and Smaragd.
Nittnaus
Burgenland
The Nittnaus family has been cultivating wine in Gols, Austria’s largest wine village, located 50 km south east from Vienna, for 300 years. The warm Pannonian climate and advantageous geological conditions provide ideal preconditions for producing wines of outstanding quality. The family winery has been operated by Hans and Christine Nittnaus since 1986. Their shared love of wines, dedication, and innovation has made these wines win numerous awards at national and international competitions.
Ciu Ciu
Le Marche
Organic Practices
The Ciu Ciu’ estate started in 1970 as a very small, family owned winery with “quality” and “respect of the land” as its core philosophies. Although the winery has grown considerably over the years, these philosophies remain the same. The winery and vineyards are situated along the rolling hills of the countryside in Le Marche’s Offida region. This area is considered the heart of Rosso Piceno Superiore, Falerio dei Colli Ascolani and Offida DOC wines regions.
A great deal of attention has been spent in the last decade to the pursuit of premium quality wines, and the wines continue to improve. One main tenet that has been consistent at Ciu Ciu is that fine wine is made in the vineyard, not in the cellar. You must start with quality grapes to make quality wine.
Lanciola
Tuscany
Azienda Agricola Lanciola is situated just outside of Florence on the rolling hills of Impruneta, near Pozzolatico, in the “Colli Fiorentini” production area. It isimmersed in the tuscan countryside among olive-groves, cypress trees and vineyards. The estate totals 80 hectares, 40 hectares of which are planted to vine, with the remainder devoted to olive-groves. The estate has enjoyed an illustrious past: in Medicean times, it belonged to the noble Ricci family. These owners were responsible for setting up the estate’s early farming and winemaking activities. The goal of the present owners, the Guarnieri family, has been to been to maximize the use of the land.
The estate’s vineyards, formerly called “Terre dei Ricci”, now produce ‘‘Terricci”. This wine is an IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) red table wine made principally from large berry Sangiovese Grosso and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The estate also makes “Ricciobianco “, a Chardonnay based white wine, Chianti Colli Fiorentini, Vinsanto, “‘Riccionero”, which is 100% Pinot Noir, and a top quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
In Greve, in the heart of the Chianti Classico area, the Azienda Agricola Lanciola owns 14 hectares, 10 of which are devoted to specialized vineyards with optimum south-west exposure, on particularly favorable soil, at an altitude of approximately 300 meters. In addition to Sangiovese, the vineyards are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Canaiolo and Colorino grapes.
Schiopetto
Friuli (Collio)
Azienda Agricola Mario Schiopetto is one of the oldest wine estates in the Collio area. Mario Schiopetto founder of the estate, travelled throughout Europe in the 1950s, collecting knowledge and experience from French and German wineries. He adapted much of what he learned to making wines in Friuli, especially in the use of stainless steel to make fresh crisp wines. Today, the estate is run by Mario’s three children: Maria Angela, Giorgio and Carlo and owns more than 75 acres of vineyards sourrounding the former residence of the Bishop of Gorizia in Capriva del Friuli.
The Schiopetto family has been in the wine business for three generations. Giorgio Schiopetto, who owned Ai Pompieri, a famous old inn in Udine, passed on to his son Mario his love of good wines, which was to bring him renown as the founding father of modern wine-making in the Friuli region. Before turning to wine making, Mario travelled far and wide in Europe in search of quality wines in the famed German and French wine cellars. It was German technology blended with French finesse that enabled him to realize his dream. During his travels abroad Mario learned the art and refined methods of making excellent wines. But skill and know-how, even when applied with passion, are not always enough. They have to be painstakingly adapted to a different environment and climate - a different region with a unique terrain like that of the Collio Goriziano area. Self-taught and gifted with exceptional intuition, Mario Schiopetto launched into the wine business in 1965 when he rented from the clergy in Gorizia an old company that he later purchased in 1989. He promptly converted it into a shining example of simplicity, technology and sensitivity. Here he enhanced and developed the know-how and skills he had acquired during his travels abroad, invaluable experience that he passed down to his children Maria Angela, Carlo and Giorgio, who successfully run the company today.
Started in 1989, the new winery was the brainchild of Mario Schiopetto. With a design based more on practicality than aesthetics, the rooms and areas are arranged logically according to the various stages of wine-making right up to the bottled product. Completed in 1992, this purpose-built winery is the ideal place for achieving perfect results in terms of technology, functionality and safety.
Carlo, Maria Angela and Giorgio
Poggio al Toro
Tuscany (Maremma)
Organic practices
Poggio al Toro is located in one of the most isolated areas of Tuscany, 5-6 miles away from Murci, a very little town in the Morellino di Scansano appellation area. The owner, Vincenzo Ciaceri comes from a family famous in Rome for founding high class hotels (Haessler, Eden) and graduated in philosophy studying in Rome and increasing his knowledge and skills at prestiguos Wagner College.
At the end of the 90’s he decided to invest in a property in Maremma in the Morellino di Scansano appellation area. The particular climatic conditions (rare rainfalls, height, constant wind touching the vineyard) allows them to pick grapes at the desired tannic, aromatic and sugar ripening point, usually mid-late October. Once picked, the grapes are transported to the cellar where they are treated very gently to extract all the fruit potential with limited pump overs and frequent use of punch downs in the controlled temperature steel tanks. Wines are aged in big oak Slavonian casks and 5 hectolitre tonneaux in different proportions in timings according to the wine. The wines are made by Filippo Artini & Dario Parenti.
PharoahMoans Winery
Paso Robles
PharoahMoans is a joint venture between John Schwartz, owner of Amuse Bouche Winery in Napa Valley, and Chef Bryan Ogden, recipient of the James Beard Award for best restaurant 2003. With their combined 35 years in the wine and food industry, they have teamed up with renowned French winemaker-gone-Californian Stephan Asseo, owner of L’Aventure Winery on the Central Coast. Asseo has been praised by Robert Parker for "producing creative and adventurous wines that possess singular personalities as well as loads of potential for both near-term drinking and long-term aging." Their mutual objective was to create the best Syrah in California under the Paso Robles appellation. They have spared no expense, from farming to the bottle, to bring you a truly remarkable wine.
The name PharaohMoans pays tribute to the birthplace of wine - and plays with the term "pheromones", which of course is the hormonal influence behind a variety of sensory patterns, including consumption of very fine wines.
PharoahMoans vineyards are located in Paso Robles Wine Country, centrally located between San Francisco and Los Angeles along California’s Central Coast. With a greater day-to-night temperature swing than any other appellation in California, distinct micro-climates, diverse soils and a long growing season, Paso Robles is a unique wine region blessed with optimal growing conditions for producing premium and ultra premium wines.
Amuse Bouche Winery
Napa Valley
Collectible wine and collectible art come together to create Amuse Bouche Napa Valley Merlot, a joint wine venture with Heidi Barrett and John Schwartz. This Pomerol-style Merlot/Cabernet Franc blend is made from some of the best grape sources in the Napa Valley. Amuse Bouche wine aspires to rival its greatest cross-Atlantic counterparts, such as Chateau Petrus and Chateau Le Pin.
As winemaker for several of the hottest cult wines in California, and referred to by TIME magazine as “The Wine Diva of Napa”, Heidi Barrett is always looking for new challenges. Heidi explains, “We have created Amuse Bouche wine, a limited edition, superb Pomerol style wine with the added value of limited edition art that is available to consumers through a variety of channels.” Since 1988 she has developed a stellar client list of super and ultra-premium wineries. She is currently winemaker for Jones Family, Barbour Vineyards, Paradigm Winery, Showket Vineyards, Lamborn Family, and two newcomers Lynch and Revana Family Vineyards. Past clients include Screaming Eagle, Grace Family, Vineyard 29, Hartwell/Grace, and Oakford Vineyards. In addition to these clients, she does a limited amount of consulting work for Diamond Creek Winery and Niebaum-Coppola (Rubicon) where she works with their winemakers to further improve their wines.
Merging art with our wines was something of a philosophical decision. The former can be enjoyed indefinitely, enduring for many lifetimes. Wine collectors may revel in the subtleties of a vertical collection; but in the end, ‘fine wine is the only true art that must be destroyed in order to be fully appreciated.’ We strive to offer you the pleasures of both art forms.
Whitman Cellars
Walla Walla
Whitman Cellars is a boutique winery located in Washington State with a production level at approximately 5,000 cases per year. They specialize in Bordeaux and Rhone style wines of balance and expression of terroir. The winery started in 1998 by John Edwards and Larry & Sally Thomason and joined by Stephen Lessard in 2002, winemaker and partner at Whitman Cellars. Stephen Lessard has 18 years of winemaking experience both in California and Washington, his experience includes Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in Napa as an enologist (wine chemist).
Whitman Cellars is proud to work with grape growers and vineyard managers incorporating environmentally safe cultivation practices such as non-herbicide weed control, low water usage drip systems, and organic fertilizers. Fruit is sourced from 19 different vineyard blocks in the Walla Walla and Red Mountain appellations and kept in separate barrel lots until blending trials are complete. The Walla Walla appellation is an amazing diversity in terroir resulting from the great floods from lake Missoula some 2,500 years ago. At Whitman Cellars, they take advantage of this diversity and contract their fruit from vineyards from all different microclimates, which have proven to be the best locations to grow each particular varietal. For example, a slightly cooler site to grow our Viognier to allow for slow ripening and retention of the natural acids for a crisp, clean, fruity wine, or a slightly warmer site for Cabernet Sauvignon to ensure full physiological maturity and big, ripe flavors.
Carefully cultivated at Seven Hills and Pepperbridge Vineyards, Whitman Cellars Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Meritage are full of fruit flavor, dark, luscious, and inviting. One can literally taste the rich earth in the wine, with aromatics balancing perfectly with a fine oak bouquet. Using hand-picked, top of the vine grapes, handcrafted wines are produced in limited quantities.
Ferme de la Sansonnière / Mark Angeli
Loire (Anjou)
Certified biodynamic - Demeter
Mark Angeli gave up his activities in the construction industry to buy a few hectares of vineyards in 1990. We met Mark Angeli in 2003 and we quickly noticed his enthusiasm for biodynamic farming and experimental practices. The Angeli property is thoroughly biodynamic and the grapes are harvested to a schedule that continues into early December. The old-fashioned horizontal press is yet another of the factors that contribute to the vibrant, powerful character of the estate’s wines.
Duca di Casalanza “Duchea”
Veneto
The estates origins go back to 1821. The head of the family, Baron Federico Bianchi, after having followed the whole of the "cursus honorum" in the Austrian army, was named Marshal of Franz II of Hapsburg’s empire and in 1815, whilst at the head of the Austrian army, defeated Gioacchino Murat, who had been named King of Napoli in 1807 by Napoleon Bonaparte. After the victory which brought Ferdinando di Borbone to the throne of his forefathers, the new King of Napoli in recognition of the great strategist and his saviour, honoured Marshal Bianchi, already Baron of the Empire, with the title of Duke of Casalanza.
In 1821, having withdrawn with great honour from military life, Federico Bianchi bought the vast holding on the outskirts of Venice from the Venetian banker, Angelo Papadopoli, in the town of Mogliano Veneto, to dedicate himself to an ancient passion, that of vine growing and wine production. Since then, six generations of his noble successors have contributed to bringing the estate to a level of prestige which is a reference point for the whole Trevisan Name, in respect of the family’s tradition and of the continuous research into quality which has always distinguished their history. All of this can be demonstrated fully when one sees the new training systems and cellar required by the actual Baron Federico Bianchi.
Guicciardini Strozzi
Tuscany (San Gimignano)
The Guicciardini Strozzi estate can boast over 1000 years of history; their most important vineyard, Villa Cusona, is dated 994. The famous personalities and the political and economic influence of the Strozzi and Guicciardini families, linked at various times by blood relationships, have left their mark not only on Tuscany, but also on Italy and Europe. Another famous ancestor is Lisa Gherardini del Giocondo, better known as “La Gioconda” or “Mona Lisa”, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, and whose family is still represented by the fifteenth generation of descendants. More on the family history.
Around 1850 the construction began of the great wine cellar with underground galleries. At the beginning of the 1900s Francesco Guicciardini, the husband of Luisa Strozzi, Mayor of Florence, Minister of Agriculture and then of Foreign Affairs (1906 – 1909) made Cusona a model estate of national importance.
The current owners are Count Robert Guicciardini and Prince Girolamo Strozzi, assisted by the latter’s wife and by his daughters Natalia and Irina. For decades Prince Strozzi has been President of the Syndicate of Vernaccia, as well as the tireless promoter of this DOCG, the first white wine in Italy to obtain this recognition. He pursues with equal energy the long tradition of a family whose name is intrinsically linked to San Gimignano, in particular to Cusona.
Il Carnasciale di Bettina Schnabel Rogosky
Tuscany
These are the only wines in the world made from a unique clone discovered four decades ago - Caberlot.
The romance of the Il Caberlot starts in the 1960’s when Remigo Bordini discovered a very unique clone growing in Veneto. The clone was a mysterious genetic mutation of Cabernet Franc but had characteristics of Merlot grapes, the Caberlot was born. Remigo joined forces with Bettina and Wolf Rogosky (Wolf passed away in 1996) to start planting this unique Caberlot in 1986, on less than an acre. The Rogosky’s were so excited about their new found varietal, that they decided as a sign of positive energy to plant a bottle of Sassicaia under the first Caberlot vine.
These wines are hand bottled in magnums and up until 2005 they were only available in small quantities in a few restaurants in Florence and Paris. With the limited production of only 1000 magnums for 13 vintages, the Il Caberlot has become one of Italy’s most sought after wines with cult status in Europe.
Peter Schilling, Bettina Rogosky and Bernard at VinItaly 2008
Dei
Tuscany (Montepulciano)
In 1964, Alibrando Dei, Maria Caterina’s grandfather, bought the first part of the entire estate, Bossona. This vineyard is gorgeous for its exposition and soil. Her grandfather planted there the vines, that today produce the famous Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva Bossona.
Later he bought another piece of land called Martiena in 1973. At that time it was 20ha all around the marvelous main villa, restored during the 30’s by the architect Piacentini. Villa is just outside Montepulciano, surrounded by a very nice park with old cypress trees and magnolias.
The first years Dei only sold his grapes and later the family decided to try vinification, with the possibility of becoming wine producers. So in 1985 they rented an ancient wine cellar in Montepulciano and, without any technical assistance they bottled the first Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Dei. Another important year for this estate has been 1989, when Galileo Dei, Maria Caterina’s father, started to build the wine cellar, a modern and practical (functional) wine cellar, close to the villa and surrounded by the vineyards.
Starting from 1991 Maria Caterina quitted her career of singer and actress to dedicate her time to her land and her vineyards.
Accadia
Le Marche (Serra San Querico)
Organic vineyard practices
The company was founded in 1983 and in 1991 part of the land was converted into a vineyard. Having come into contact with an expert agronomist, the idea soon came to plant a white Verdicchio grape vine to make the classic and superior versions of the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi. At the same time the black grapes of Montepulciano, Sangiovese and Lacrima vines were also planted for the production of Rosso Piceno. This collaboration then led to the optimal organization of the vineyard and the cellars and later to the choice of the rootstock and the plant clones, the selection of the most suitable equipment for the management of the vineyard and for the pressing and storage of the wine.
Sottimano
Piedmont (Neive)
Organic
“I can’t think of too many properties that have made such huge strides in quality as Sottimano has. Recent bottles of the 2001 and 2004 Barbaresco Pajore revealed an enormous leap in elegance and finesse. Fortunately, Sottimano’s entry-level wines are every bit as delicious as their Barbarescos, so readers won’t need to mortgage the house to drink great wines from this producer. I know I am starting to sound like a broken record, but these are truly exceptional wines at this level, or any level for that matter.” Antonio Galloni, August 2008, Wine Advocate.
The Sottimano winery was founded in 1974 by Maggiore Sottimano in the Cottá area, a very highly reputed area for Nebbiolo grapes. Since then, Mr. Rino Sottimano the owner has developed the estate by buying other prestigious vineyards: Currá, Fausoni, Pajoré and, more recently, Basarin. Currently, the family cultivates an average of 13 hectares and the production is divided into five “crus” of Barbaresco: Currá, Cotta, Fausoni, Basarin and Pajoré,one Dolcetto “Bric del Salto”, one Barbera “Pairolero” and one dry Brachetto , called “Maté”. The company produces an average of 60,000 bottles.
Particular attention is given to the cultivation of the vineyards; in this way, through very low yields, it is possible to produce structured, full bodied wines, which can be aged for several years. Since 1990, the vines have undergone only natural processes ,with no use of pesticides, artificial fertilizers or diserbants; the traditional diseases, that normally afflict the vineyards, are treated using eco-friendly products. The application of these products is kept to a minimum and they are used only if necessary. During the vinification, they don’t use selected yeasts and the wines are bottled without filtering or fining.
Deltetto
Piedmont (Canale)
Since 1953 The Deltetto family has produced high quality wines in the areas of Langhe and Roero. The family business is located in Canale and was established by Carlo Deltetto, who began the activity, always respecting nature and the great wine tradition of Piedmont. Since 1977, after his studies on oenology, Carlo’s son, Antonio (together with his wife Graziella, their son Carlo, and their daughters Cristina and Claudia), has run the business, trying to respect his father’s aim.
The production is varied and complete, including the traditional red wines such as the Roero Braja, the Barolo Sistaglia, the Barbera “Rocche delle Marasche” and the Barbera Bramè. With regards to the white wines, the Arneis San Michele, the Arneis Daivej and the Favorita Sarvai are produced and have found their best habitat in the Roero area.
In the last few years The Deltetto family has had many a success, such as with the Passito Bric du Liun, a top quality wine obtained from Arneis grapes, and the production of bubbles through the classic method “champenoise”. This production began with the Extra Brut Millesimato and was then completed with the Brut and the Rosè, wines which combine two of the most famous vines, Nebbiolo and Pinot Nero. Thanks to acknowledgements for the D.O.C.G. 2005 harvest, these wines are now considered to be amongst the most important in Italy.
Left to right Claudia, Antonio, Carlo senior, Graziella,
Cristina and Carlo jr.
Domaine de Vauroux
Burgundy (Chablis)
Domaine de Vauroux was created in 1956 by the Tricon family. In 1972 they started farming the first grapevines. Throughout its evolution the Domaine has successfully combined modern and traditional approaches, particularly in relation to its winemaking practices. Apart from their know-how and their traditions, the estate’s forebears have passed on to Domaine de Vauroux one of the oldest winegrower’s huts in the region (made from volcanic lava) which dates from the 17th century. This vineyard is now holding over 30 hectares. Since 1999 Oliver Tricon has been managing the estate in the family tradition.
The vineyard is located around the village of Chablis on slopes whose south-east and south-west exposure to the sun is ideal. The marly limestone soil, with a high Kimmeridgien content gives our wines all the characteristics of a guenine Chablis. The single grape-variety used is the Chardonnay: the vines grow in harsh conditions, since the soil is very stony and dry.
Château Lagarette
Bordeaux (Premières Côtes de Bordeaux)
Certified Organic (Ecocert) and Certified Biodynamic (Demeter)
Although Château Lagarette can trace its roots back to 1850, the estate has been the property of the Minvielles family since 1998. For several generations, the Minvielles have been winegrowers and coopers settled in the Camblanes villages. Yvon is a sociologist, publisher and University Professor whose interests lie in the biodiversity of the vine. Olympe is dedicated to the wine making process, and has all the necessary patience and attention required to make a great wine. Their four hectares of vineyards, which date back to the Roman times, surround the castle, which was a former hunting lodge of the Duke of Epernon in the 15th century. Widely exposed to the various winds (the secret of Lagarette wines), the vineyard is composed 70% of very old vines (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec), and the remaining 30% of recent plantings of Cabernet Franc. The soil consists of quaternary gravels, limestone, clay, quartz and sand.
The wine making philosophy at Château Lagarette has always been to protect the land by respecting the natural balances between its mineral, vegetal and animal components. The decision of whether to grow their grapes organically was never a question discussion for Olympe and Yvon. They believe that the use of pesticides is either a consequence of lack of education, or a deliberate spoiling of ecosystems, motivated by immediate gains. Wine is always the result of a unique conjunction between man and nature, and is a condensation of wine growers’ and wine makers’ knowledge accumulated through the ages. The respect of places and times, the observance of biological rhythms, observation, patience and attention are the milestones of their practices. Organic since 1998, Biodynamic since 2003.
Olympe Yvon
Château La Grolet
Bordeaux (Côtes de Bourg)
Certified Organic (ECOCERT) and Certified Biodynamic (Demeter)
Château La Grolet is one of two châteaux owned by the Hubert family. Jean-Luc Hubert and his wife Catherine have brought life back into this noble XVIII century house. They are committed to natural viticulture and enhancing the biodiversity of their vineyard to protect the old vines. All vines are hand pruned and hand harvested to insure the grapes stay intact.
Organic Farming
Weed killers are banned and products used to treat the vines are limited to sulphur and bacillus thuringiensis. The vines are only fed with natural fertilizer, rock powder, organic compost and green fertilizer. The vineyards are controlled by the certifying agency AB ECOCERT.
Insects help to reduce the use of fungicides including copper widely used in Organic Agriculture. The strategy focuses on maintaining the biodiversity involving the auxiliary predators of vine parasites. Indirectly, the greater level of biodiversity, the lower the doses of treatment required.
Jean-Luc and Catherine Hubert
Château Peybonhomme
Bordeaux (Premières Côtes de Blaye)
Certified Organic (ECOCERT)
Château Peybonhomme is one of two château’s owned by the Hubert family. Jean-Luc Hubert has worked tirelessly to restore the 19th century Château with the magnificent tower overlooking one of the few the Cru Bourgeois in the Premières Côtes de Blaye. The view from the tower overlooks the pond, the shaded garden and the hillsides are ridged with rows of wine. Château Peybonhomme is located in Bordeaux’s right bank of the Gironde, near Blaye. This organic vineyard is said to be on the best limestone and clay soils of the Cars. Jean-Luc Hubert’s desire has always been to create wines which embody the living memory of the terroir, thanks to the efforts of the people who work the land. Indeed, Jean-Luc Hubert is a viticulturist to whom the history and the life of the vineyard and the estate are a vital ingredient of the wine.
Organic Farming
Weed killers are banned and products used to treat the vines are limited to sulphur and bacillus thuringiensis. The vines are only fed with natural fertilizer, rock powder, organic compost and green fertilizer. The vineyards are controlled by the certifying agency AB ECOCERT.
Insects help to reduce the use of fungicides including copper widely used in Organic Agriculture. The strategy focuses on maintaining the biodiversity involving the auxiliary predators of vine parasites. Indirectly, the greater level of biodiversity, the lower the doses of treatment required.
Guillaume Hubert Jean-Luc and his wife Catherine
J.M. Raffault
Loire (Chinon)
The J.M. Raffault winery is located in Chinon in the central Loire valley, near Tours. The family has been in Chinon since 1693 and as of 1997 Jean-Maurice Raffault’s famous Chinon estate is now run by his son Rodolphe.
The estate is spread over 55 hectares and over 7 districts within the Controlled Appellation Chinon. For this reason, each “cuvée” corresponds to a particular soil. Each single walled vineyard or “cru” is traditionally converted into wine using maceration from 15 up to 28 days, the alcoholic fermentation being carried out by natural yeast. The maturing in oak tanks from 6 to 18 months is one of the participant in giving the wine its flavour, protected from light and vibrations. During that period of time, several rackings are carried out (done in the traditional method, from barrel to barrel) and participate to the clarifying of the wine before a traditional egg white fining. For this operation, more than 700 barrels lie in 3 enormous wine cellars (old local stone quarry) with a constant temperature of 12°C and 85% humidity.
Gatinois
Champagne (Aÿ)
Since the marriage of Nicolas Le Cacheur and Francoise Remy in 1696, three centuries have seen the famous Grand Cru vineyards of Aÿ passed through twelve generations of winegrowers. Since 1980, husband and wife, Pierre and Marie Paule Cheval-Gatinois have run the winery with the same attention to detail as did their ancestors. Their goal is to make what Champagne holds as most prestigious: the prized Grand Cru wines from Aÿ.
“A small producer with a high reputation, owner Pierre Cheval can trace back his family line to Nicolas le Cacheur, a vigneron in Aÿ in 1696. Like many growers today, Gatinois sells part of this production to various houses, but increasingly makes more of his own Champagne.” “Christie’s World Encyclopedia of Champagne and Sparkling Wines” By Tom Stevenson
Gatinois has long had the reputation as being one of the top growers / producers in Aÿ, a Grand Cru village located in the Montagne de Reims. Gatinois sits on 7.3 hectares of vines divided into 30 lieudits (named vineyard sites), with an average size of 26 acres. The names of each of these parcels sign the history and authenticity of the sites: Chaufour, Cheuzelle, la Croix Coucelles, le Han, Valnon, Vauregnier, Chatillon, Bonotte, etc.
All of the Gatinois holdings are Grand Cru, with 90% planted to Pinot Noir. Among the Pinot Noir parcels is the now-rare, low-yielding Petit Pinot d’Aÿ clone on which Aÿ‘s reputation was built centuries ago. The remaining vines are planted to Chardonnay, famous for its complexity and balance.
Reschke Wines
Coonawarra
Coonawarra is a unique strip of land situated in the Lower South East of South Australia. The topography is generally flat with some slight undulation on the eastern side. Coonawarra’s mix of well structured and well drained soils, plus cool climate has afforded the region a huge reputation for high quality red wine production. Reschke wines guard the true essence of the Coonawarra. Blending a heritage in the finest Cabernet growing landscape of Australia with a strictly managed vineyard, they allow the Coonawarra to express its distinctive allure. Reschke takes great pride in the attention to detail that sets them apart and brings pleasure to lovers of wine.
The Reschke history and its close relationship with Coonawarra began 100 years ago, with the establishment of a farming and grazing enterprise in the heart of the region and later a Hereford stud. It is cattle-grazing heritage that is reflected in the Reschke logo of the bull. Burke Reschke, forth generation of Reschke’s in Coonawarra, started to develop vineyards on the Reschke estate from what is still primarily a cattle property 1989. The demand for the resultant fruit throughout the nineties was used in some of Australia’s Icon wines. In 1998 a selection of the most outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon parcels was released under the first Reschke label ‘Empyrean’.
The vineyard developments, which have grown to 360 acres, consist primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, there is also a selection of Merlot, Shiraz, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, all nurtured and cropped particularly low to achieve the highest quality fruit.
Loan Wines
Barossa Valley
Certified Organic
Loan Wines is a small producer located along Tanunda Creek tucked away off of Bethany Road in the heart of the Barossa Valley. The property is a Certified Organic Vineyard where the vines are dry grown, nurtured, hand-picked and hand managed to allow the fruit to tell the story of each season. Sustainability is fundamental to their philosophy; the management of their property is a very personal hands-on approach, which is defined by organic practices and holistic land management. Richard and Jessica Loan treat each vine treated individually. They believe that each vine requires individual attention when it comes to pruning, canopy and bunch management, summer pruning and harvesting.
Loan Wines Philosophy
* Hand managed vineyards
* Organically grown
* Organically produced
* Sustainability in viticulture, winemaking
* Allow the fruit and the wines to express unique terroir of our property
* Allow fruit and the wines to express the season
* Allow wines to develop and age in proper underground cellar conditions
* Promote biodiversity by revegetating the creek with native flora and create habitat for native wildlife
Loan Wines
Richard & Jessica (owners) & Bernard
Busso Piero
Piedmont (Neive)
Organic Practices
In the heart of the biggest crù of Langhe (Albesani – Borgese, Gallina and San Stefanetto) there are the vineyards of the family wine farm Busso Piero. Piero’s father founded it in 1953. Piero with the help of his wife, Lucia, his son Pierguido and his daughter Emanuela follows all the phases of production from the vineyard to the winery. The vineyards cover an area 8 hectares , planted 250/300 metres above sea level and they produce an avarage of 35.000 bottles of wines a year.
The unique characteristic of the soil and the ideal facing of the vineyard (south) make it possible to obtain a richer harvest of the component for the production of big wines. All of these conditions are favourable for the making of a great wine, yet they are not altered by any chemical and industrial compound. Piero’s awareness and approach is nature friendly. In the vineyard they apply the “organic procedure” to minimize the use of chemical products. Their priority is a viticulture respecting the soil, the vine tree, the environment; they brought back traditional methods and organic products in order to re-create and authentic vineyard.
Nebbiolo Vineyard Nebbiolo Harvest
Calvados Roger Groult
Pays d'Auge
Calvados Roger Groult is one of the last remaining traditional, artisan, family-owed Calvados producers. Most Calvados produced today is done so by large corporations or cooperatives, whereas Calvados Roger Groult is still a family business striving to produce premium quality Calvados.
This family estate, the "Clos de la Hurvanière," lies in the south of Pays d’Auge, in the vicinity of Lisieux. The same methods of production have been maintained in this family estate, now in its fifth generation. The apples are selected from the family’s own orchards and those in the immediate vicinity in order to conserve the vintage region. The orchards are planted on a flint clay covered with fine, silty soil, and yield apples which are sweet, bitter-sweet, bitter and slightly acidic. After fermenting and undergoing sedimentation for several months, the cider, which now contains some 5 or 6% by volume of alcohol, is distilled over a wood fire in three small stills to obtain the Calvados Pays d’Auge AOC, guaranteeing both its quality and origin. All products are matured in traditional oak barrels.
Spirits amateurs of the whole World can appreciate those exceptional Calvados that are still produced with old and traditional methods.
Casa de Cello
Minho & Dao
Quinta de Cello, situated in the middle of “Entre-Douro e Minho” region, near Amarante, was submitted to a total restructure of its vineyards. Nowadays, 14 ha of vineyards are managed, with the following grape varieties - Arinto, Alvarinho, Chardonnay, Loureiro and Avesso, from which Quinta de Sanjoanne wines and Leiras Mancas wines are made.
Quinta da Vegia is situated in the Dão region, near Penalva de Castelo, with 20 ha of vineyards on gorgeous sites. Three grape varieties make up the reds - Touriga Nacional, Aragonês (syn. Tempranillo) and Trincadeira Preta – to create the Quinta da Vegia and the Porta Fronha wines.
Member of the Independent Winegrowers’ Association (IWA) whose other members include Luis Pato, Domingos Alves de Sousa, Quinta do Ameal, Quinta de Covela and Quinta dos Roques. "The IWA of Portugal aims to champion the best native Portuguese grape varieties, though several of the members also embrace international grapes in their wines. Each member produces wines exclusively from his own vineyards, and aims to express the genuine terroir from each Quinta."
Bruno Giacosa
Piedmont (Neive)
The work of three generations of vinegrowers has resulted in the passion, knowledge and farsightedness of Bruno Giacosa. An old passion born among the best vineyards of the Langhe territory, in search of grapes to buy, some coming from vineyards successively acquired by Bruno Giacosa himself. The story starts in a simple way, with the native varietals of the Langhe and Roero regions and vineyards cultivated with loving care. It continues with pure, meticulous vinification, with ageing in grand oak barrels and with unforgettable Reserves. But it also includes, naturally enough, the choice not to bottle those mediocre vintages deemed unworthy of vinification. Bruno’s art encompasses passion, love for Nebbiolo and clear judgement but, above all, the utmost respect for his product, its admirers and for the beautiful countryside where he and his family were born and raised.
The Azienda Agricola Falletto Winery comprises twenty hectares of vineyards within the Serralunga d’Alba, La Morra and Barbaresco areas. Nebbiolo and Delcetto vineyards are in the territories of the commune of La Morra, at its highest points some 500m above sea level, with western exposure. They have been recently acquired by Bruno Giacosa and represent the start of a new viticultural and oenological experience. The vine growing and wine making processes are followed through with care from beginning to end, culminating with vinification and ageing within thier cellars in Neive.
Ulithorne
McLaren Vale
Sustainable practices
‘Ulithorne’ is an old, small family-owned vineyard situated in the premier wine region of McLaren Vale in South Australia. Its hilly, terraced and contoured vine rows overlook the sea, bordering the Onkaparinga River National Park. As custodians of this land, Sam Harrison and Rose Kentish aim to consistently produce exceptional quality wine from over 30 year old vines. Through sustainable vineyard practices, minimal irrigation, low yields, timely harvesting and TLC, Sam and Rose believe that they are providing a platform for the making of great wine.
A low incidence of pests and diseases means ‘Ulithorne’ is managed without any pesticides and only organically registered sulphur and copper sprays to prevent fungal disease. Ulithorne makes their own compost for organic fertilizer and intend to design an under-vine ‘weed slasher’ so full conversion to organics can be achieved. Irrigation is only applied mid summer as a supplement so the vines do not over-stress. Yields range from 1-3 tonnes per acre depending on the block. Permanent cover crops are sown to increase organic bulk and reduce the need for cultivation. Tractors and vehicles are fueled by bio-diesel to reduce carbon emissions.
Ulithorne
Rose Kentish, winemaker & owner
Nigl
Kremstal
Like many quality-minded winemakers, Martin Nigl’s philosophy is that "the wine grows in the vineyard." He believes that with white wine in particular, the work accomplished in the vineyards is absolutely essential, since wine is unforgiving of the slightest error. Consequently, Martin meticulously inspects his vineyards nearly every day in order to make crucial decisions about pruning, pest control, watering, thinning out grapes and vintage, all at the appropriate time. Typical of Martin Nigl’s wines is their crystalline mineral character resulting from the soil of the primary rocks on which the vines grow.
Monte da Comenda Grande
Alentejo
Comenda Grande is a 750 ha family farm and has been keeping up with the conversion of farming in Alentejo. Along with the retrieval of some of the barren land with irrigation, the wooded areas (planted to mostly cork oak - Quercus suber) have been revitalised, and 30 ha of vines have been planted at the edges of the property, and approximately 30 ha have been planted to olives. The idea of planting vines on this land was not a new one, in fact it was a continuation of the estate’s former activities. About 25 ha of the vines are red grape varietals and 5 ha are white, and they include some of the varietals known to best suit the climate in Alentejo. These include Trincadeira and Aragonez (red), and Arinto and Antão Vaz (white). A smaller number of other vines have been planted not only as experimental vines, but also to differentiate the property and create interesting blends. For red varietals, these include Alfrocheiro, Tinta Caiada, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, and Verdelho for whites.
Bodegas Hermanos Peciña (Señorío de P.Peciña)
La Rioja Alta
Sustainable practices
Bodegas Hermanos Peciña is located in the heart of the Upper Rioja, or Rioja Alta, in the Sonsierra Riojana. This area is ideal for growing vines, squeezed between the summits of the Sierra Cantabria and the banks of the Ebro River. These combined influences of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean make for a microclimate all of its own, producing unique grapes of a quality that are difficult to match.
Bodegas Hermanos Peciña started in 1992 and now has 50 Ha of its own vines, with an average age of 25 years. In 1997,the winery began to sell fine aged wines in the categories of Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva and Reserva Vendimia. The grapes are harvested manually and the vineyards are farmed in a sustainable fashion, without the use of any systemic fungicides or pesticides. The clusters are carefully placed into small crates of approximately 15 kilos capacity so that the grapes do not suffer any pressure and the juice is not crushed out of the berries, which must come into the winery intact. If the berries were to break and the must escape there could be unwanted fermentation and oxidation. To avoid this, crates are placed on the gondola and quickly taken to the bodega. Care is always taken to make the best wine possible.
Peju Family Estate Wines
Napa Valley
Organic
Peju, founded in 1982 by Tony and Herta Peju, is a family-owned boutique winery located in the Rutherford Appellation. Peju wines are hand-crafted using fruit organically farmed from their Rutherford Estate Vineyard and their sustainably farmed Persephone Vineyard. Travelers to the Napa Valley will enjoy their magnificent 50-foot tasting room tower, pristine gardens and unique food and wine events and classes.
Fita Preta Vinhos
Alentejo
Jamie Drummond podcast with David Booth - Episode 25
Portuguese winemaker António Maçanita and English viticultural consultant, David Booth met for the first time in early 2004. Over the next few months, a close friendship developed and when the opportunity came up to buy some pretty special grapes from some vineyards that David was managing, and António was able to rent some space in a local winery, the business rapidly took shape and Fita Preta Vinhos was founded.
Their distinctive, rich and complex wines that are the result of applying their specialist skills with huge personal attention to detail at every point in the production chain; from vineyard site selection, grape growing, harvesting, fermentation, maturing, label design, marketing and distribution.
Château Gilette
Bordeaux (Preignac)
Jamie Drummond podcast with Julie Gonet-Médeville - Episode 20
Château Gilette, is unique amongst Sauternes producers in that they age their wines for many years, sometimes decades, only in concrete vats before they are bottled.
Current owner and winemaker, Julie Gonet-Médeville, continues this tradition begun by her grandfather, René Médeville, more than 70 years ago. René couldn’t afford the expense of oak barrels during the 1930s, so he chose to age his wines in concrete vats. He discovered the wines matured more evenly than in wood, and developed more complex aromas and flavours than those he had formerly aged in oak. The vat permitted the wines to breathe so slowly that the winery was content to allow the wines to age there for up to 20 years before bottling. In fact, the youngest wine in this collection (1985) is just about to have its 23rd birthday!
“Gilette is one of the finest-made wines in Sauternes despite the fact that Gilette was not classified. The vineyard, situated several miles north of Yquem, is planted on sandy soil with a subsoil of rock and clay. However, what is bizarre and unbelievable in today’s harsh world of commercial realities is that Gilette’s proprietor, Christian Médeville, holds his sweet wines for over 20 years in concrete vats prior to bottling them. For example, he bottled the 1955 in 1984, 29 years after the vintage. The fact that his wines are excellent and have a honeyed maturity has caused some of France’s leading restauranteurs (like Pierre Troisgros) to beat a path to his door to purchase his old vintages of Sauternes.” (Robert Parker)
Donatella Cinelli Colombini
Tuscany (Montalcino)
The roots of the Colombini family in Tuscany go back to 1592, and their tradition of excellence in winemaking began in 1790 with the founding of the Fattoria dei Barbi. It was in the 1960’s that Francesca Cinelli Colombini, also known as the “Lady of Brunello” made a name for herself as the stalwart leader of Barbi’s top wines. When the next generation came into the spotlight, her son Stefano took over the family estate, while Francesca placed her daughter Donatella in charge of farming the neighbouring Azienda del Casato. Her father Fausto later appointed Donatella to manage the Fattoria del Colle.
Donatella is a major force in the world of quality Italian wine and has spurred important advances in enotourism: she conceptualized “Cantine Aperte,” a nationwide day for winemakers to welcome visitors, and has even provided marketing tools to the elite producers throughout Italy.
Fanti
Tuscany (Montalcino)
The Fanti Estate has belonged to the Fanti Family since the beginning of the eighteenth century. It extends over about 300 hectares, of which 52 are specialized vineyards, 110 are olive orchards, with over 8,500 olive trees, 80 hectares used for seed plots and 70 as forests. In 2004, Fanti began building their modern and spacious gravity-flow cellar for winemaking, ageing and refinement. Specifically designed to improve handling of the carefully selected grapes produced with extreme care in the vineyards, this system avoids unnecessary and aggressive pumping. Fanti aims to offer truly characteristic, high quality wines, which are expressive of the soil and climate of the vineyards in which they are grown.
Bernard at Fanti with wine order ready for Ontario
J.M. Sohler
Alsace (Bas-Rhin)
Situated 30 km south west of Strasbourg, J.M. Sohler finds its home in Blienschwiller, a hamlet surrounded by high quality wine producers. To the north lies Nothalten, a city that formerly produced Sylvaner, but now noted for its Rieslings, especially Grand Cru Muenchberg. To the south lies Dambach-la-Ville, considered by many to be the best wine village in the Bas-Rhin.
From an altitude of 240 to 320 metres, the Grand Cru Winzenberg vineyard overlooks the town of Blienschwiller. Its steep south-south-east-facing slope guarantees exceptional exposure to the sun. Covering 19.2 hectares, its microclimate and granite-mica soil are particularly favourable to the production of Grand Crus. The Winzenberg vineyard’s granitic soil makes it especially well-suited to growing Riesling and Tokay Pinot Gris. Often quoted in historical documents, the reputation of J.M. Sohler’s Winzenberg vineyard has been founded on centuries of proud tradition. These Grand Cru Winzenberg wines develop a marked floral character of great finesse, and should age very well in the bottle.
Where winemaking has been a tradition for centuries, the two houses pictured on the label are the home and winery of the Sohler family. The caves, where all the wine is matured, date back to 1563. Matured in both 228 litre barrels as well as 5000 litre century-old French oak casks, J.M. Sohler’s wines originate exclusively from the vineyards’ own hand-picked harvest. J.M. Sohler currently bottles 25,000 – 30,000 bottles each year, which is approximately 40% of its total production. The remaining 60% is sold in bulk to larger négociants of the region. These include some of the most prominent and internationally recognized wineries from the Alsace, including F.E. Trimbach, Domaine Klipfel and J. Hauller & Fils.
Roehr Wines
Barossa Valley
The Roehr Wines Estate vineyard is home to some of the valley’s most mature Shiraz, now almost a century old.
Elmor Roehr’s great-great grandfather emigrated from Hamburg, Germany to Austraila in 1841. Amongst the earliest settlers at Ebenezer (meaning "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us") in the north of the Barossa Valley, the Roehr family took up farming and grape-growing. The Roehr Wines Estate vineyard is home to some of the valley’s most mature Shiraz, now almost a century old.
The Roehr Wines Estate vineyard area is about 32 hectares, or about 80 acres, where the soil types vary from sandy or ironstone topsoil, with most areas having red clay underneath. Some parts of the vineyard also have a substantial layer of limestone under the topsoil, somewhat like that of the terra rossa soils of South East of South Austraila. All wines are aged for 12 to 18 months in American oak hogsheads, depending on the characteristics of that particular wine. Total production is approximately 20,000 bottles some 1,700 cases.
Macaw Creek Wines
Gilbert Valley
Organic Practices
Situated between the Clare and Barossa Valleys in South Australia’s Mt Lofty Ranges, the Macaw Creek vineyards lie in the Gilbert Valley. The Gilbert Valley is unique in its proven ability to produce quality Rhone varietal grapes in an organic environment, free from systemic fungicides and pesticides.
Rod Hooper is one of Australia’s most accomplished young winemakers. With over 20 vintages under his belt by the age of 40, Rod’s first vintage was with Penfold’s Wines in 1980. After graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Oenology from Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1984, he gained international winemaking experience producing vintages in California, France and Germany. Rod was Operations Manager at Charles Sturt University for 7 years, and over this perio, his wines were awarded 15 Trophies, 25 Gold, 47 Silver and 139 Bronze Medals.
DogRidge Wine Company
McLaren Vale
Jamie Drummond podcast with Fred Howard - Episode 23
Sustainable practices
DogRidge supports vineyard biodiversity and employs modern sustainable viticultural practices that optimize vine health and sun exposure, creating fruit of extraordinary quality.
Named DogRidge for the winemaking family’s extreme love of Curly Coat Retrievers The Dog Ridge’s ecologically driven vineyards typify why the McLaren Vale is such a great winegrowing region. The balanced vines on the estate have consistently produced powerful wines with generous fruit driven spicy flavours and perfumed aromas.
DogRidge is located at the base of The Range overlooking the McLaren Vale wine region. This premium South Australian wine-growing region is known for its consistency and reliability. The DogRidge Vineyards employ modern viticultural practices, which optimise sun exposure and canopy health, resulting in ripe fruit of intense colour and quality. This desirable combination has led to the creation of wines that express outstanding depth of colour, aromatic elegance and richness of flavour.
DogRidge owns 140 acres (56 hectares) and operates established grapevines ranging in age from 2001 plantings to some of the oldest vines remaining in the region today. At the McLaren Flat vineyards, DogRidge boasts some 60+ year-old Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache that form the basis of their bottled product. The soils vary considerably over a small area giving them the opportunity to select small parcels of the best fruit for small batch fermentation.
Ardent Estates
Adelaide Hills
The Horlin-Smith family were Adelaide Hills apple orchardists and so their passion for the Adelaide Hills and the land carried through to their father Donald and from him to his two sons Robert & Anthony. Between the father and sons there is some 100 years of experience in the wine and hospitality industries. It was their fathers’ passion for fine wine and food that inspired the brothers to start Horlin-Smith Wines. The name Ardent Estates means passion and anyone who really knows the Horlin-Smith’s knows, if nothing else they are passionate!
The company sources grapes from two Premium South Australian areas, the McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills. These two areas are diversely different viticultural areas but wonderfully similar, as they both produce outstanding wines of intense varietal character. From the warm rich Cabernets and Shirazes of the McLaren Vale to steely fruit driven Sauvignon Blanc’s & Chardonnay’s of the Adelaide Hills. The combination of ideal soil from the grower’s vineyards in the McLaren Vale and the beautiful sunny Mediterranean climate and with the cooling afternoon maritime breezes from the spectacular Gulf St. Vincent. Along with careful vineyard management will ensure low yielding vines, which will then deliver grapes with intense varietal character. As it is well known that wonderful fruit makes great wine and this allows for a minimalist intervention from our award-winning winemaking team.
Nichols Winery & Cellars
Paso Robles
Nichols Winery is a small winery, established in 1991 by Keith Nichols to produce ultra premium wines with limited production of each Varietal. The winery produces Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Meritage and Zinfandel. In 2002 Syrah was started and 2005 a Sauvignon Blanc program was started. The winery is located in Paso Robles, California.
Paso Robles is a warm wine-growing region in the central coast of California. The warm days and cool nights are ideal for Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, in that the grapes like warm temperature to show their true character of revealing forward bright wild berries, plum and cherry flavors in Cabernet Sauvignon. Cool nights allow the vines to shut down and rest for the next days push for enhanced flavors. This climate also allows for a long growing season with long hang time, which matures the flavors and gives them depth.
Keith Nichols has traveled to Toronto on many occasions to promote his wines during the annual California Wine Fair in April and the Toronto Sante International Wine Festival in May.
Domaine Michel Prunier et Fille
Burgundy (Auxey-Duresses)
Sustainable practices
Auxey-Duresses is a small village of 350 inhabitants, situated in the Côte de Beaune, 10 km from Beaune and 2 km from Meursault. It is tucked in a valley between where the great red wines of Volnay and Pommard meet the great white wines of Meursault. The Prunier family has been making wine in Auxey-Duress for over four generations. After establishing their own winery in 1968, Michel Prunier and his wife, Michèle started off with one inherited hectare and one rented hectare. Since the addition of their daughter Estelle to the team, the family now looks after a total of twelve hectares. Their land is divided amongst several Appellation Contrôlée’s in the Côte de Beaune, namely, Meursault, Beaune, Chorey-les-Beaune and Auxey-Duresses.
Although Michel Prunier’s winemaking style does follow traditional practices, modern viticultural techniques are employed in order to elaborate these great wines. Producing both red and white wines, the domaine uses principally organic viticultural techniques. Domaine Michel Prunier et Fille has been mentioned and acknowledged by many French and foreign guides such as Gault et Millau, Revue des Vins de France, Le Guide Dussert Gerbert, Le Guide Hachette, Vins et Santé, Guides des Vignobles et de la Gastronomie, as well as guides by Robert Parker and Hugh Johnson. The winery is proud to have received many gold and silver medals over the years for their outstanding wines. The Prunier family will share their passion with you when you come and visit them at their winery – you are welcome any time!
III Associates
McLaren Vale
III Associates was established with one clear goal - to produce and present premium quality McLaren Vale wines which provide excellent value for money. Over 34 hectares of premium McLaren Vale vineyard provide the key ingredient to produce quality wine, namely, quality grapes.
An integral part of the team, internationally acclaimed winemaker, Brian Light, is the holder of the prestigious "Australasian Winemaker of the Year 1987 / 88" award and was twice named "Bushing King", McLaren Vale’s highest award. During Brian’s three decades of winemaking, he has produced wine from many different countries and regularly travels the world to oversee and consult on vintages and production on behalf of international wine companies.