Soldano, Dolceacqua, Liguria Maurizio Anfosso and Roberta Repaci farm 7 hectares (17 acres) of the just 81 hectares (200 acres) that make up the Rossese di Dolceacqua DOC. The nearest village is Soldano, a tiny place that, like so many towns in Italy, boasts its own unique dialect. The couple live on a mountain across...
Buttrio, Friuli Meroi was founded in 1920 by Paolo Meroi’s great grandfather, Domenico. In 2004, Paolo also purchased the famed Zitelle vineyard. Other storied parcels that produce revelatory wines include the Barchetta and the Durì. Here in the high hills of Buttrio, the wines are a fascinating expression of the region's signature "ponca" soil: marl...
San Giovanni al Natisone, Friuli Based in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia (North-East Italy) "Nec Otium", from the Roman for work (nec) and leisure (otium), is a negociant operation with a difference. There are very few old style, cultish “Negociants”. Christian Patat is probably the person that can be best defined as a “cult negociant winemaker”. He doesn’t buy...
Mezzocorona, Trentino The de Vescovi family, has been cultivating grapes and farming apple orchards in the Piana Rotaliana area of Trentino since the early 18th century. The Piana Rotaliana is the largest plain in Trentino, a triangle with a base along the Adige river and apex at the Rocchetta pass, bounded by Monte Fausior to...
Cortina, Alto Adige A true family business started in 1969 by Alfons Giovanett. The winery is now run by his son Günther who took over the management of the winery in 1989 and at the same time, relocated the operations to the small village of Cortina/ Kurtinig in the very south of Alto Adige. Today...
Kastelbell, Val Venosta, Alto Adige Old vines, planted at 650 meters (2,133 feet) elevation in striking terraces climb the slate-rich mountainsides in pristine Val Venosta. This is the area of the Stelvio Natural Park, and adventurous travelers come to the area to hike and ski. Heiner and Sabrina Pohl run a mixed farm here in...
Massimago Located in the Val di Mezzane valley (Eastern Valpolicella) surrounded by woods, this gorgeous estate is managed with creativity and strong determination by Camilla Rossi Chauvenet and her dedicated team. The name of the winery derives from the Latin "Maximum Agium", maximum benefit. It has been in the Cracco family (Camilla’s mother family) since...
Provaglio d'Iseo, Franciacorta, Lombardia Corte Bianca is set like a gem, in the profile of a soil that has generated it. In Sergnana, in Provaglio d'Iseo, between the gentler slopes of the foothill part of the northern Franciacorta and in a wider context where the denomination "pian delle viti" is a testimony of an ancient...
Chiuro, Valtellina, Lombardia Balgera is a boutique winery located in Chiuro, one of the wine growing villages of Valtellina area, in the region of Lombardia. The Valtellina is a very small wine-producing region (3 million bottles total annual production) in the mountains north of Milan, just south of the Alps that borders Switzerland. The winery...
Castagnole Lanze, Piemonte The name Erpacrife comes from the initials of it’s four creators: Erik Dogliotti, Paolo Stella, Cristian Calatroni and Federico Scarzello. Together they started the "Erpacrife” project in 1999 after their graduation from the oenological school of Alba when these young wine makers decided to create a product together. After numerous experiments done...
Gattinara, Piemonte Mauro Franchino, helped by his talented nephew Alberto Raviciotti, is producing distinctive Gattinara from 3 plots in some of the best vineyards in the appellation. 100% Nebbiolo planted in the vineyards of Lurghe, Castelle and Guardia. These vineyards offer very shallow, acidic soils derived from the decomposition of the porphyry of the alps....
Barengo, Alto Piemonte The Boniperti family goes back several generations in Alto Piemonte and they have seen the "long fable" (favolalunga) that the wine production in this region has experienced. After the two world wars in the first half of the 20th century, as well as the industrial revolution that took place in Italy during...