https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/artisan-team daily 0.75 2025-03-20 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/resources daily 0.75 2025-03-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/c4359c39-9dfd-4877-a4c8-361f5d1beca7/new-york.jpg Resources - New York https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/60f5c973-e1bd-41d4-ba82-154a3bee2c0f/ct.jpg Resources - Connecticut https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/contact daily 0.75 2023-02-03 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/artisan-home daily 1.0 2023-02-17 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/italy daily 0.75 2023-02-05 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/italy-producer-list daily 0.75 2025-03-30 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/italy-regions daily 0.75 2025-02-02 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/piemonte-producers daily 0.75 2023-08-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/5740cff5-39fd-4b64-bd95-3f7d5c437a84/Cantina-del-Pino-Image-1.jpg Piemonte Producers - Cantina Del Pino Barbaresco Cantina del Pino has emerged, seemingly recently, as one of the most important producers of Barbaresco. However their vineyard and family history could not be more intertwined with the history of Barbaresco. The very first wine labeled as Barbaresco, made by the "father" of Barbaresco, the renowned enologist Domizio Cavazza in 1894, was made from the Ovello Vineyard that Renato Vacca's great-great grandfather purchased from him a few years later and the family has owned ever since. Cavazza owned the estate, formerly known as Cascina Ovello, another nearby parcel, and also the castle. When his first son was born he planted a Pine tree at the top of Ovello and over time it became known as Cantina del Pino. That tree, depicted on the label, still stands today. The bulk of their current vineyard land is on the historic cru “Ovello” in the commune of Barbaresco. Ovello’s elevation, exposure, both to the sun and the climate moderating effects of the nearby Tanaro river, vine age (80 years) and soil mix all contribute to the combination of finesse, complexity and power evident in the wines of Cantina del Pino. Ovello has a long track record of producing one of the most complex and elegant Barbaresco's. The estate has been acquiring new vineyards over the last few years spread around the village of Nieve. One, just a couple of hundred yards from Vigneto Santo Stefano in Albesani, which has been long considered a Grand Cru of the Nieve part of the Barbaresco zone. It is a very dark and powerful wine (though made in the exact same way) and so very complementary in the line to the incredible finesse of the Ovello. In its first release as a single vineyard bottling it garnered both a Tre Bicchierri award and a 95+ score (like the Ovello) from Galloni in the Wine Advocate Robert Parker’s - The Wine Advocate -"Renato Vacca has emerged as one of the leading lights in Barbaresco". and "Cantina del Pino is one of the very few estates in Barbaresco where every single wine is fabulous."-A.Galloni They also have sections of other well regarded cru's such as Starderi and Gallina which contribute to their "Classic" bottling. At most other estates in the DOCG region these would be single vineyard bottlings at much higher prices. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/97869ea6-7de5-4189-9615-d37e53a19df9/casavecchia-bio.jpg Piemonte Producers - Casavecchia Diano D’ Alba Casavecchia's winery is in Diano where they grow Dolcetto and where it enjoys DOCG status along with Dogliani and Ovada. They also have vineyards in Castiglione Falletto for Nebbiolo, most notably the east facing MGA of Pianta'. About 10 hectares all in. It's a project of three brothers Marco (agronomist), Luca (enologist) and Carlo (rather famous consulting enologist). It's no secret that Dolcetto reaches the height of it's expression in Diano, Dogliani & Ovada with Diano perhaps having the greatest aging potential. These two "Sori" bottlings made me do an "exorcist-style" head spin. The Nebbiolo "Piadvenza" is a Barolo for all intents and purposes. It is definitely not the style that is intended to be young, fresh & pretty. (almost pinot -like). A little or maybe not even so little Barolo. "Steal these wines", all 3 ! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/b2ebd4c5-729d-47af-9831-d0f696178831/Claudio.jpg Piemonte Producers - Claudio Mariotto Colli Tortonesi The Colli Tortonesi zone (the hills of Tortona) is something of a small Island of great wines, off the beaten path of the better known Piemontese wine zones. It is not a part of the Langhe, nor the Monferrato hills, but further east and way south of what is commonly referred to as Alto Piemonte. Here as in the Monferatto hills, Barbera is the star red grape and Barbera from this region is truly compelling from the top producers. But perhaps the reason we should all be paying attention to the area is perhaps the best Italian white wines of all made from a rare indigenous grape called Timorasso. It is labelled however as Colli Tortonesi Bianco. When it comes to Timorasso, Claudio Mariotto is a truly a star producer, the absolute best in my opinion. His Timorasso wines have grown to 4 separate bottlings. As always, "Pitasso" is the flagship. More selective methods/choices of what goes into it are being applied as the vineyard also just gets older. Same for "Cavallina" as it has proved to be a superb site now that the vines are approacing 20 years old. Derthona is still a blend of these two sites as well as some others. What is brand new is the young vine "Bricco san Michele" vineyard, which seems just like Cavallina when the vines were younger. It will surely prove in time to be another superb vineyard but for now it's the bargain of the line up. And for Barbera, "Vho" continues to be the standout. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/5dacf85f-c892-48ec-8c43-c477eec6b9f4/Decapo-Bio.jpg Piemonte Producers - Dacapo Agliano Terme Renata Bonacina is the force behind this superb winery from the Asti zone of the Monferrato. Founded in 1997, it is a relatively young winery that has quickly attained a very prestigious reputation. The key here is very attentive, low yield, organic (certified) viticulture in predominately old vine vineyards. The large majority of the production is dedicated to the classic indigenous varieties from the area. The flagship wine of the zone is Nizza Monferrato DOCG. They bottle a Nizza and in some vintages, a Nizza Riserva, from a vineyard now approaching 70 years of age, as well as 2 other interpretations of 100% Barbera. In addition is one of the "benchmark" bottlings of Ruche di Castagnole Monferato along with superb Grignolino D'Asti. Ian D'Agata not only holds their Ruche up as perhaps the ultimate example of Ruche, but in good vintages, one of Italy's 30 best wines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/291a2e79-9cff-4d61-85d5-de484788748b/FRANCESCO_RINALDI_00199.jpg Piemonte Producers - Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barolo (Available in Connecticut & Rhode Island Only) With characteristic flair for the obvious, I’ll state that we at Artisan Wines really like Barolo. When you are into something so deeply it can be nagging to have a set of something that is incomplete. Now we have gathered over nearly two decades, quite a compelling collection of the finest vineyards in Barolo that includes; Monvigliero, Gramolere, San Lorenzo, Le Rocche & Bussia, yet something was missing and its absence quite obvious because at the outset of the company, these sites were a part of the portfolio. So there was this gaping existential hole. While humans are known to get into all manner of things to fill the voids they feel in their lives, from religion to drugs, excessive exercising to binging on chocolate, I buy Barolo. Cannubi and Brunate to put a finer point on it. Any connoisseur of the wines of Piemonte will tell you that Cannubi and Brunate are the two most important sites of the village of Barolo, and some of the most important of the entire zone. So it is with great pleasure that I can announce that the historic house of Rinaldi, one of the oldest of Barolo, (the entire zone) established in 1870 is returning to the fold. With 2.4 Hectares in Cannubi, 2 in Brunate and 3 more made of small slices of Sarmassa and Vignane (also in Barolo), Rocche dell’Anunziata in La Morra and Codana in Castiglione Falletto, the viticultural patrimony of this most historic of houses is YUGE! The house style is and always has been VERY traditional. Today the estate is in it's fourth generation of Barolo production and run by two sisters, Paola and Piera. These wines, although quite traditional are also quite elegant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/42567aad-7bbf-49ff-85c0-fbebd6e70647/Franco+Boasso-Podere+Gabutti.jpg Piemonte Producers - Franco Boasso - Podere Gabutti Serralunga D’Alba - Localita Gabutti Serralunga has long been associated with big, powerful, densely fruited and substantially tannic Barolo. Boasso does not dissapoint except in the area of tannicity, which IMHO is not a dissappointment at all. These wines are eminently drinkable. I have noticed a progression at this estate over the last 5 years away from the more tannic style that Serralunga and Gabutti specifically has been associated with in the past. Part climate change aiding fully ripened tannins no doubt and a part passing of the reins of the estate from the father to his sons. Franco Boasso has vinified more than 50 harvests on this famous hill in Serralunga, which his winery takes as a namesake. His two sons Ezio and Claudio are in charge now and an evolution towards more graceful wines is very evident. A scant 2000 cases from 7 Hectares is all there is here, so if you have not heard of them prior, that is one reason. This west facing part of Serralunga is quite special. To quote Gambero Rosso's 2020 book, "Their vineyards, all in Serralunga, are among the most celebrated in Barolo, with the Gabutti cru standing out for it's force, ageworthiness and aromatic richness." Often a contrarian, though I love the Gabutti, I am wild about their less famous cru Margheria, slightly to the south near Vigna Rionda. Rounding out the MGA sanctioned Barolo cru's that they farm is Meriame, which abuts Cerretta and glances Baudana. This however is not currently bottled as a cru but rather is a large part of the "Commune di Serrralunga" bottling. As an Azienda Agricola, by law they must use prodominately their own estate grapes, which in this case are all red. Moscato and Arneis, made from purchased fruit are bottled under the "I Grappoli" second label. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/5efe0c7e-0850-4c36-8ef3-996e733137b6/fratelli-alessandria-3.jpg Piemonte Producers - Fratelli Alessandria Verduno (Available in Connecticut & Rhode Island Only) This family has been making Barolo continuously for more than 100 years. Experience combined with a fresh approach introduced by young Vittore (in charge of vinification since 2001) that defies being defined as either traditional or modern, has brought this estate to the highest level in Barolo. The vineyards of Verduno are predisposed toward elegant, “Burgundian” styled Barolo, and the meticulous low yield farming they employ adds a hint of power to the natural finesse. Only the "Gramolere" Barolo bottling comes from outside the commune of Verduno. That is a cru from Monforte that has been in his mother's family for generations and while it shows the darker fruit tones associated with the area, the house style or Vittore's hand of finesse is very evident. They are simply stunning across the board; power, complexity, elegance and value, yes you can have them all. Their Pelaverga is a benchmark for the tiny DOC and all of the wines are exceptionally well made. From Antonio Galloni in Vinous (Feb 2021), "Vittore Alessandria's 2017 Barolos are among the finest wines of the vintage. Consistency is always a hallmark of top estates, and that is exactly what readers will find here. Alessandria's 2017s are deep, fleshy and full of character. The 2017s spent 30-35 days on the skins, with extended maceration in which the cap is floating, but not totally submerged. The malolactic fermentation was in steel, after which the wines were racked into cask and then bottled with 34 months in oak. " https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/165e52c0-a2fa-487c-9491-76fa985bd869/Gianluigi+Lano-Bio.jpg Piemonte Producers - Gianluigi Lano San Rocco Seno D’Elvio The Lano winery was one of the first wineries in the Langhe to receive organic certification and had been practicing organic viticulture long before that certification was obtainable. Reason being that the Italian authorities took quite a long time to formalize those regulations. Aside from the fantastic Barbaresco from his tiny piece (1.3 Hectares) of Rocche Massalupo, the Barbera and Freisa wines are benchmarks. To quote Ian D'Agata in a recent "Terroir Sense" article,"Another important fact about Lano is that it makes wine with most of the Langhe’s red grapes and the wines are all exceptional, not something that is so common (most estates, understandably enough, excel with one grape variety or two at most)" Most people think of only 3 communes as being in the Barbaresco zone, yet in fact it includes a small piece of a fourth, that being San Rocco Seno D'Elvio whose wines tend towards early accessability or drinkability. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/26b7ccca-5543-443b-a264-0140b863ae6e/Team+Le+Piane.jpg Piemonte Producers - Le Piane Boca, Alto Piemonte Boca is Piemonte's easternmost DOC zone, and with the exception of the also little known area of Sizzano, it's northernmost as well. It is entirely surrounded by a mountainous national park. It forms something of a southerly exposed amphitheatre at 400-500 m elevation, just west of the "Ridiculously " beautiful Lago d'Orta. The stony porhyritic soils are unique in all of Italy and closely resemble those of Cote Rotie. It was once one of Italy's most esteemed wines. In the year 1300, (no typo) a reporter from Novara described it's wines as being "renown since ancient times". Perhaps pre-Roman? There is no clear evidence of Nebbiolo being grown yet in the Langhe that early. Boca the wine, from the town of the same name, had fallen into near extinction. Vineyards were abandoned as folks moved into nearby Novara and Torino for jobs in post WWII Italy. It's vineyards, once famous, were divided with each passing generation into uselessly small plots. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/e0b587e1-98c3-4d39-83f1-f16643cfe33b/Monchiero+Fratelli-Bio.jpg Piemonte Producers - Monchiero Fratelli Castiglione Falletto Monchiero is one of only seven wineries to own a slice of the famed "Rocche di Castiglione" vineyard. This estate has all of the earmarks of one about to "emerge" into the limelight. Several generations involvement in growing grapes as sharecroppers, then independently beginning in the 1950's, followed by bottling in the '70's. In the '80's, Vittorio Monchiero, along with his wife Daniela, after graduation from enology school, began the modern era. And the latest chapter includes the new "young blood" as their two sons Luca and Stefano are joining the efforts. Aside from the aforementioned "Rocche", the roster of vineyards is quite impressive. Also in Cast. Falletto is Montanello which is exposed much like a smaller Villero a short distance to the north. Then there is Pernanno, which along with Pianta', form the northern strip of the east facing vineyards (very important in the new climate) of the town that ends with Rocche. There are other sites in the commune not entitled to a particualr MGA other than "Commune di Castiglione Falletto". Add to that the MGA's in La Morra, Roere di Santa Maria and Ciocchini where the family's grape growing was first started by Vittorio's grandfather. Some parcels in Roddi and Verduno round things out. These are traditional Baroli aged in large botte of Slavonian oak. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/5193dd45-99ce-45ab-a2de-68ddcba44cbe/Platinetti-Guido-Bio.jpg Piemonte Producers - Platinetti Guido Ghemme This small family estate, in it's fourth generation farming and making wine in the Alto Piemontese district of Ghemme, is a true jewel of Alto Piemontese wine culture. The Platinetti and Fontana families were cultivating vines here in the early 1900's. The two world wars, a very disruptive period (obviously) created a pause, but in the early '70's, it all resumed with new vigor. The current generation of the family is led by Andrea Fontana, the obviously gifted winemaker. The rules allow for a small percentage of Vespolina in Ghemme, (as in nearby Boca) but Andrea has opted to use 100% Nebbiolo for his Ghemme, which makes for an opportunity to also bottle a 100% varietal Vespolina decribed by Antonio Galloni as "an absolute pleasure bomb"! Then there is "Guido" which is an old vine "Maggiorina" field blend. All superb. Having represented Le Piane for 2 decades now, considered by many to be the finest estate in the Alto Piemonte, it has been difficult to find a producer that can keep company with Piane. Until now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/8dae219d-e8e1-4582-9318-799017b07733/silvano-bolmia-image.jpg Piemonte Producers - Silvano Bolmida Monforte D’Alba There is no shortage of great wines in the Langhe. The focus for us has always been delivering great value and typicity as well. Every now and then one stumbles across a winery that delivers Quality, Typicity, Value and is quite unique as well. This tiny, eponomously named Artisanal winery delivers it ALL! From 5.5 hectares situated primarily in Monforte's most prestigous cru, "Bussia" eminates an array of wines that are unmistakably Barolo, yet somehow present a unique textural quality quite unlike any I've tasted before. Silvano spent a decade experimenting with methods to bring out the maximum expression of his unique slice of Bussia. His methods are not easy to classify by any readily known terms such as "Traditional" or "Modern". Classifying the results is far easier. Stupendous and absolutely delicious! Bussia is a pretty large vineyard and Silvano's is the highest part, which sits directly above Pianpolvere Soprano, another of my all time favorite sites in Barolo. Aside from being fastidiously clean, the two major areas where Silvano verges off onto his own path are extended post fermentation macerations and elevage. In an era where macerating for 30 days is considered quite traditional, what do you call it when one leaves the wine on its skins for up to 95 days? But then the wine goes into 100% French Barriques for the first year, none of it new, and specially treated to provide maximal micro-oxygenation and minimal oak flavor infusion. These are stunning and very unique wines that represent geat value in the ever escalating Barolo zone. Value aside, Enogea magazine, a professional wine periodical in Italy edited by the esteemed Alessandro Masnaghetti named Bolmida "Il Barolista dell' Anno" for 2012 for the consistently high level of quality presented that year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/ea1c214c-ade6-4a30-bc72-8abeb10dc178/Tacchino-Bio.jpg Piemonte Producers - Tacchino Castelletto D’Orba In the southeastern part of the area broadly referred to as the Monferrato hills, is the DOCG zone of Dolcetto D'Ovada. These Dolcetto wines and vines are unlike the others. They are first of all, a different clone of the variety, referred to as "Dolcetto del Penducolo Rosso" or with red stems. It is also locally called other names such as Nibio in dialect and Dolcetto is so ubiquitous here, it's also called Uva di Ovada. It's bunches and berries are smaller and is generally thought to be the most ancient bio type and the parent of the others. The "Original Dolcetto" in other words. The production zone is in the foothills of the Ligurian Alps and as such, the area is referred to as Alto Monferrato. It is also a truly superb area to grow Barbera. All of the wines grown here tend to be dense and forceful when young and are best released with additional age, as is the custom of Tacchino. The Tacchino winery is an estate of 25 hectares, half of which are planted to vines, the rest in woods. When this vintage (2023) is released, they will have been granted their certification of sustainability from SQPNI, although they have been farming the same way quite a long time. Now in it's third generation, it is run by a brother & sister team of Alessio in the office and Romina Tacchino in the winery. The vineyards sit in an amphitheater shaped site exposed South-East with white calcareous soils, considered ideal for the variety. Tacchino is broadly considered the leading producer of the zone and have earned every kind of accolade in Italy imaginable including 13 Tre Bicchierri awards for both Barbera and Dolcetto. What is nearly un-imaginable is that they are essentially unknown here in the US, something we aim to change. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/178e76c1-1c4c-42d5-ada5-bc419d979356/TENUTA.jpg Piemonte Producers - Tenuta La Tenaglia Serralunga di Crea La Tenaglia is an historic property fonded in the 17th cent. in the Monferrato hills. Originally the hunting lodge of the mayor of the area, it is nestled snug up against the "Santuario di Crea" a wildlife preserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. With the highest elevations in the tiny DOC of Monferrato Casalese, Tenaglia is making some stunning wines from what has now grown to 30 hectares of vines. In this area, one expects great Barbera, and they deliver. The suprise however is the stunning Grignolino that forces one to reconsider this rare variety's postion in Piemontese viticulture. The 2017 was awarded a 3 Glass award and it's easy to see why, but the 2018 is even better! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/5bea1c3f-8b03-4137-bede-e8e68c3490ac/Vicara-Bio.jpg Piemonte Producers - Vicara Rosignano Monferrato A quick ride away from Tenaglia you can find VI.CA.RA.. Here, they are very specialized in Grignolino, dedicating more than half of their vineyard area to this notoriously difficult and "ornery" variety. That emphasis has produced an expertise so evident in the wines, I can easily say they are the best examples of this variety I have found. The project began almost 40 years ago, the "pipe dream" of three childhood friends with the surnames of VIsconti, CAssinis and RAvizza, Today the estate has grown to 70 hectares, 33 under vine and half of that supplying the raw material for these extraordinary wines bottled under the Vicara label. It is Giuseppe Visconti, son of one of the founders, Diego, who has brought this dream to its full realization. The conversion to organic viticulture was a more than a decade ago but certification will occur next year. Giuseppe was instrumental in the formation of the trade-marked Monferace wine. Much like the members of Col Fondo Agricolo in the Veneto, Monferace is an alliance of producers dedicated to raising the quality and potential of Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese . Grignolino aside, the wine critic of "Corrierre della Serra" (read Italy's Asimov in the NY Times) named the Vicara Barbera del Monferrato "Volpuva" the best red wine from Piemonte under 15 Euro. No s**t! This is very serious juice! https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/cantina-del-pino-wines daily 0.75 2023-02-05 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/belisario-wines daily 0.75 2023-02-05 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/cascina-luisin-wines daily 0.75 2023-02-05 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/trentino-alto-adige-producers daily 0.75 2024-12-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/af263fa8-26b0-4a86-a8da-8859592901be/artisan-castel-juval.jpg Trentino & Alto Adige Producers - Castel Juval Kastelbell Val Venosta "Good things come to those who wait" or "Chinese water torture can be very effective". I am not sure which aphorism fits best, but after asking each year for 20+ years, we will finally see some wine from Castel Juval in the market. There are places around the world with steep vineyards, but if any place can be truly described as "Heroic Viticulture", this is it. The altitude is 650 to 800 M asl in these vineyards, but it is the steep cliffs that drop off to the sides for a few hundred meters that really make you sweat. But frighteningly steep slopes don't make great wine, it is the special soils and exposures, coupled with careful, low intervention, inspired winemaking that results in these precise, detailed, ethereal wines. With the amounts available we will never really make money with these wines, but sometimes that just doesn't matter, they're just too good. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/fd3ac347-c533-40c5-893a-fca62e2d25f5/01_Mosaico_ViniTrentini_Endrizzi.jpg Trentino & Alto Adige Producers - Endrizzi San Michele All’Adige Over five generations since 1885, the Endrizzi family has been making wine in Trentino. A medium sized producer for the area with very strong markets in Europe and locally, they are not well known here. While all of the wines are very good, they truly excell with the Metodo Classico sparkling wines. They are some of the very best "bollicine' I've tasted from Italy and the main reason for our collabortaion. One of the still white wines was simply too good not to bring in, namely the Masetto Bianco. Its a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Riesling and Sauvignon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/1631481203082-OE3G95SJ9TIRKLA2JIRA/Terroir-klein-1.jpg Trentino & Alto Adige Producers - Wilhelm Walch Tramin The Wilhelm Walch winery lies in the traditional wine village of Tramin in Alto Adige, the northernmost Italian wine-producing region. Since its founding in 1869, it has remained in the hands of the founders, the Walchs, who have decisively influenced the development of Alto Adige wine culture. The wine estate puts emphasis on the typicity of Alto Adige and its local wine varieties – classic wines in a modern and straightforward style – while rounding out the broad palette of wines with international varieties. The quality of the wines are a testament to professional expertise in the cellar and meticulous work in the steep vineyards at the feet of the Dolomites. https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/france daily 0.75 2023-02-05 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/french-producer-list daily 0.75 2025-03-30 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/french-producers-all daily 0.75 2025-03-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/ab2b6261-97d1-4199-9619-2fae10672afe/chasselay-vignes-terroir.jpg French Producers by Region - Domaine Chasselay (Available in Connecticut only) Steeped in the fabric of the small village of Chatillon d'Azergues, the Chasselay family has been winemaking here since 1464. In Beaujolais's southern part, Lyon's wealthy families built their country escapes from the local limestone. The area is locally known as the Pierres Dorées, the land of the golden stones. Flatter than its' northern counterpart, the soil is more fertile, mixed with granite and a fair amount of limestone. Domaine Chasselay extends over 13 hectares in Châtillon d'Azergues, Côte de Brouilly, and Brouilly. Fabien Chasselay, his sister Claire, and their father, Jean-Gilles, are pioneers of organic viticulture; they have been practicing since 2000 and certified in 2006. Fabien Chasselay trained under Bruno Clavelier in Vosne Romanée. Here, he adopted the idea of destemming his Gamay instead of the more traditional 100% whole cluster technique. The resulting wines are definitely “Burgundian” delicious, silky, yet saline. Biodiversity is vital in the vineyards. Their natural philosophy includes cover crops between the vineyard rows, following the lunar calendar, indigenous yeasts, and no sulfur during fermentation (only at bottling). All wines ferment in concrete tanks and only the Crus' age in older demi-muids and barrels. The wines have a stunning stylistic range, from the playful Beaujolais is not dead or Je t’aime mais j’ai soif to the more serious Crus's, the wines are always 'gourmand' in style, with darker fruit notes, and concentration, in a few words, simply stunning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/1621729993990-6Z27JSG5SRZ6VKA2A46W/JANI-Eric-at-MAV-Barrel.jpg French Producers by Region - Paul Janin & Fils (Available in Connecticut only) The Janin family have been vinegrowers in the area for four generations and have been making wines since 1937. The domaine wines are all Moulin a Vent, one of Beaujolais' most important "Crus", and the only one not named for a village but rather a historic windmill. Here they farm (sustainably) several plots with different soils and vine ages within a locality named "Tremblay", a part of Romaneche -Thorins. Old Vines, Low Yields, Granitic Soils and whole clusters are just a few of the things that make these really great Beaujolais wines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/c3d8b8e8-27b0-44be-8c79-c6e1e174a998/Chateau+de+Montfaucon-IMG.jpg French Producers by Region - Chateau de Montfaucon There are very few wineries in the world with histories as ancient, deep and interesting as Montfaucon. The structure of the Chateau began with a fortification tower from the 11th century, to defend the Kingdom of France from the Roman/German Empire along the Rhone river. The entire story over the intervening 10 centuries is a bit much for this format, but I encourage anyone with interest to delve into it, you will be rewarded. Culture, history and tradition aside, (did I actually write that?) these wines are remarkable. The estate is centered in the Lirac AOC, just across the river from Chateauneuf du Pape. The white wines, some of the best I have encountered from the Rhone valley, are interstingly enough, very dominated by the Clairette variety, rather than Roussane, Marsanne and Viognier, and to great effect. The heavy and sometimes cloying texture of the other varieties is supplanted by vivacious, nervy, yet "packed" and complex flavors. The pinacle of this is the 145 year old vine bottling of pre-phyloxera 100% Clairette. But the Rhone is all about red wines and here is where they really shine. 60 hectares of very old, low yielding organically farmed vines provides an array of red Rhone wines hard to compete with. On the Lirac side of the river, the wines are noticeably different than Chateauneuf. There is a brighter, fresher quality about them, a point of difference that I enjoy personally very much. And then they have exemplary Chateauneuf, (shipping in the fall) so all bases are covered. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/1621730208892-HSTWDOLOAJE4ENWHKB34/domaine-santa-duc.jpg French Producers by Region - Domaine Santa Duc (Available in Connecticut only) Rising as a pillar of quality out of the soils of Gigondas is Domaine Santa Duc—an estate that’s history stretches back to 1874. Through five generations, the caretakers of the domaine have demonstrated a respect for the land, with Santa Duc ascending to prominence as a pioneer of organic viticulture in the region under the care of its indomitable vigneron, Yves Gras. The wines cultivated by Gras typify classic Gigondas—elegant, focused, polished https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/a45c7b26-c926-4c6d-8f17-4da31516184b/Domaine+des+Florets+Image.jpeg French Producers by Region - Domaine des Florets Gigondas In a 40 year career and 27 years now of Artisan Wines, I have been either lucky or good at finding star wineries about to emerge just before their star shone brightly and broadly. Here is the next one. Domaine des Florets. Gigondas is an AOP that begins fairly close to the banks of the Rhone river at about 60 M asl. Ninety percent of the plantings currently are in the space between there and about 225 meters asl. Fans of Rhone wines may have noticed that many bottlings of Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas and other "Cru " regions of the Rhone have been growing big and blowsy, with alcohols at or above 15%, and worse, very low pH. Gigondas is famous not only for wine but for the remarkably stunning Dentelles du Montmirail, steep, tall, limestone "teeth" that soar above the foothills. There is a thin band of forest at the foot of this dramatic formation, and just below that, the highest vineyards of the appellation topping out at 550 Meters ASL. Namely, those of Domaine des Florets. At this elevation, the wines of Florets take on a different character than many Gigondas bottlings. They are bright, aromatic and floral due to the pH difference in wines from high elevations, and yet quite powerful due to the extremely low yielding old vines. Jerome Rathle bought the estate in 2021 and immediatley began the organic certification process and also follows biodynamic farming principles and has constantly increased the biodiversity in the vineyards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/47f35bd5-e299-42a3-8179-f704970ab94d/Domaine+Andre+Berthet+Rayne+Profile.jpg French Producers by Region - Domaine Andre Berthet-Rayne Cairanne The Berthet-Rayne family has been farming for four generations, (since the 1880's) in Cairanne. It began with just six hectares of vines at the end of the nineteenth century and has now grown to 31 hectares. Bottling under their own label commenced in 1977, when they left the cooperative. Along the way several events marked major shifts. In 1984 Andre joined his father in the winery and vineyards and in 2000 began farming under organic principles. Certification came through in 2008 and in 2016 Cairanne was raised to Cru status in the hierarchy of Rhone appellations. Andre's wife Marina also joined the winery in 2011 full time, followed by their daughter Alexandra in 2017 after graduating from enology school. Axel, Alexandra's husband also joined in 2019 and in 2021 they received their Biodynamic certification. The estate's vineyards are a mix of young and old, the later up to 100 years. Grenache leads for the red varieties followed by Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan and Cinsault. Clairette leads the white variety plantings along with Roussane, Grenache Blanc, Viognier and small amounts of Marsanne and Bourboulenc. There is a mix of soils here in Cairanne and they have parcels in each of these geologically diverse terroirs. Yields range from 30 to 35 HL/hectare, quite low for the area, exemplifying their commitment to qualiity and character. While Cairanne is justifiably notable for the combination of power and finesse in it's red wines and these wines are great examples, their white wines are a real standout in the appellation. Matt Walls article in Decanter (July 2023) about their wines goes into detail about that status. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/cc7919b2-0e20-411e-ab19-a9247fdd8e75/Domaine+La+Loyane+Profile.jpg French Producers by Region - Domaine La Loyane Rochefort du Gard The "Den of the She-Wolf", is situated in the southernmost area of the Cotes du Rhone Villages called "Signargues" which means bloody stones. There is no village of that name and the area takes its name from a terrible 8th century battle against the invading Saracens. Given the negative connotation of the name, invoking violence and war, they choose not to use it. While most of their parcels are here in the "Signargues' area, they actually started out with a 7 hectare parcel to the north in Lirac in 2000, when Jean-Pierre and Dominique Dubois purchased this first parcel. A sizable portion of which is a block of 150 year old Grenache vines. Yet the family's roots in the area and in wine go far further back to the great grandfather (also a Jean-Pierre) who first settled in the town (1930) and planted vineyards. His son Auguste, founded the co-operative winery in that area in 1950. Today their son Romain and his wife Laure are conducting the vineyards and winery along with Romain's parents and took the decision a few years back to sell off half of the vineyards leaving only the best 20 hectares and begin the conversion to organic viticulture. The area is known to produce wines of great structure and power and yet Romain's gifted hand seems to effortlessly coax out a great deal of finesse as well, and it shows. In a short time they have gathered up a pile of "stars" & Coup de Couer awards as well as a "winemaker of the year" award from Guide Hachette. Total production is 5000 cases per year , all certified organic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/03bb394d-2e2f-4ed9-8934-a66d12d36221/Marrenon-Profile.jpg French Producers by Region - Marrenon La Tour d'Aigues Artisan Wines has been known to represent predominately small family run wine estates, yet not exclusively. Every now and then we run across a co-op making really nice wines and they usually represent an excellent value as well. We have two such co-ops in Italy and frankly there are many more throughout the EU. Marrenon is one of these. Some look at co-ops as big businesses and indeed the production totals would indicate that. But in another light, they are also a vehicle for many,very small family farms to remain tied to the land and their history staying active in viticulture and other agricultural pursuits. Because of this, they are an important part of the viticultural landscape. With 9000 acres and 400 + families growing vines spread out through both the Luberon and Ventoux AOP's, Marrenon has a dizzying array of bottlings, yet many are superb. Both areas have an enormous advantage going forward. Altitude. With many classical growing areas experiencing notable temperature increases, producing wines of finesse and balance is becoming more of a challenge. The diurnal excursions that higher elevations experience naturally produce wines with lower pH, increased aromas etc. The winery itself is in the center of Luberon, one of the most beautiful areas in southern France. It is a UNESCO protected biosphere, a regional natural preserve and simply lovely to behold. The wines have at least an HVE 3 sustainability certification and some bottlings are certified organic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/8ec08524-cfb4-4637-acd5-57e25f32fc05/degustation_carlot.jpg French Producers by Region - Mas Carlot Bellegarde Cyril Mares is the owner & winemaker at Mas Carlot & Mas de Bressades, which was his family estate where he was raised. Mas Carlot was in his ex-wife's family and when they split, she opted to sell it to him. They are two of the most prominent estates in the Costieres de Nimes AOP. He is also president of the AOP association. So you could say that in a way, he is Mr. Costieres de Nimes. After finishing enology school he did several interships arould the world including Chalone in CA and Cos d'Estornelle and Chateau Margaux in Bordeaux. But his family's roots in wine go much further back than a few generations in Nimes, to the Languedoc. His great great grandfather Henri Mares, who was a friend of Louis Pasteur's, was the person who made the discovery of using sulphur to treat powdery mildew (peronospora), which is now a standard worldwide in viticulture. For those in the business some years, the name may ring a bell. Mas Carlot was a part of the "Robert Kacher Selections" portfolio which was primarily focused on what he belived to be the finest wines from the south of France. The range of wines and varieties are what one would expect from the region, plus one real "unicorn" in the southern Rhone where blending grapes is required "almost" everywhere. The "La Terre Natale" Clairette de Bellegarde is a 100% Clairette that has AOP status and is also one of the oldest and smallest AOP's in France. Only 7 hectares are planted to Clairette in the zone. All of the wines are certified organic & vegan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/f0207099-462b-460c-beb3-2a76234dee64/domaine-montine-p0.jpg French Producers by Region - Domaine de Montine Grignan Melina and Camille Monteillet are cousins and fourth generation of the family to be winegrowers here in the northernmost part of the southern Rhone, namely Grignan les Adhemar. The region was formerly called Coteaux du Tricastin until 2011. Montine has vineyards in both this AOP as well as in Cru Vinsobres, not far away to the east and additionally have some growers in the northern Rhone that sell them some fruit from Cornas, Crozes Hermitage, Hermitage and Saint Joseph. We will visit those wines next round. They just received their Organic certification but have been HVE 3 for several years now. Melina says that she intends to keep up with both certifications even though HVE 3 is more difficult and most people don't understand what it means yet. The family of 9 farms 70 Hectares of vines, 20 of lavendar and 5 of Oak for truffles, for which they are also quite famous. The parcels are scattered about a bit offering many different terroirs. The the overall style of the red wines is supple and generous, and wood where employed is subtle. This far north, Syrah becomes slightly dominant over Grenache. (except for Vinsobres). For white wines, here we find a second "unicorn" in wines from the southern Rhone in a 100% Viognier AOP Grignan les Adhemar Blanc. Grown on limestone soil, it shows both the exoctic nose the variety is known for as well as tension and minerality. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/1288c148-cb53-45c0-a885-9e12b583f500/laporte-img-2.jpg French Producers by Region - Laporte (Available in Connecticut only) Laporte is a certified organic producer and the wine here is made in a very traditional, natural way, employing organic methods and always ensuring a sense of purity and excellence. In addition to Sancerre, Laporte produces beautiful Pouilly-Fume, Quincy and Chateaumeillant. Laporte also produces three wines under the Le Bouquet label: the floral and citrus-scented Sauvignon Blanc, a Cabernet-Franc offering fresh red fruits and soft hints of spice, and a fruity Pinot Noir rosé. Made with very high-quality fruit, these are versatile wines – a great value and a perfect introduction to the wines of the Loire Valley and the style of Laporte. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/c77f5654-97ba-4cf8-932b-0c6447258cd6/Goudichaud-0071_WEB.jpg French Producers by Region - Chateau Brondeau du Tertre Entre deux Mers The Chateau dates from the early 19th century but was recently (2015) acquired by Yves Glotin, who also owns Chateau Goudichaud in Graves. The first order of business was paying attention to the vineyards and he is now restoring the Chateau to house a hotel and restaurant. The Entre deux Mers is a deceptive wine. At first it seems like many, in its simplicity and freshness. But there are nuances that make it unique. A few hours of skin maceration, three months in new, very light toast oak, (barely perceptible) and an unusually high % of Muscadelle at 20% . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/66e17508-27f9-4614-9ad0-6fad6ca8bdaf/chateau-saint-ahon.jpg French Producers by Region - Chateau Saint Ahon Haut-Medoc This is quite an historical estate in Blanquefort owned by Charles de Montesquieu in the 17th century. As such it was destroyed in the French Revolution, yet rebuilt twice since. In 1985 the Earl and Countess de Colbert (no relation to Stephen!) became the 67th owners. 30 of its 40 hectares are under vine. Much was replanted at high density 20 years ago and is farmed "sustainably" according to and certified by the HVE. The blend is quite classic for the area; 60% Cab. Sauv., 30% Merlot, and 5% each Cab. Franc and Petite Verdot. It is aged in 25% new oak for a year, then long bottle aging prior to release https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/cfd94218-a464-412b-ae39-109607ba0bfb/chante-alouette-bouteille-verre-2.jpg French Producers by Region - Chateau Chante Alouette Saint Emilion Grand Cru This estate, bordering Chateaux Pavie and La Gaffeliere, was acquired in 1995 by the D'Arfeuille family from Pomerol where they have been wine producers for 5 generations. 7.5 Hectares and planted 80/20 Merlot/Cab. Sauv. Aging is a 1/3 new oak, 1/3 one year old and 1/3 tank for freshness https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/7f854bef-175c-4ba3-a7bf-670f883f8485/chateau-grave-figeac-label.jpg French Producers by Region - Chateau La Grave Figeac Saint Emilion Grand Cru Location, location, location. While this may be most associated with the subject of real estate, there's no denying that the location of vineyards plays an important role in making wine. One Cheval Blanc West is where you will find this under the radar small Saint Emilion producer. With old vine parcels scattered about the appellation, the raw materials to make impressive wines is there in spades. With vineyards bordering several famous estates such as Cheval Blanc and La Conseillante among others, their priviledged positions and vine age are as evident as is their intent to produce more forward wines. There is no extremely low yield, highly extracted and highly oaked wine here. In fact they keep a third in cement and the idea is to preserve freshness and improve early drinking. You can probably hold the wine 20 years if you want to, but the key is you don't have to. https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/francesco-rinaldi-figli-wines daily 0.75 2022-05-01 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/calcaneus-wines daily 0.75 2023-02-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/a033dea3-60dd-4214-8b8b-dc0b859cb5a0/Arcuria-2018-188x300.png Calcaneus - Wines - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/5562f7b5-9c8e-4935-a6a0-b901dfb0b11d/Feudo-di-Mezzo-2018.png Calcaneus - Wines - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/ede6026d-2473-44fc-8b2c-6bcc220b5246/Nireddu-2018.png Calcaneus - Wines - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. 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Given that the family has been farming vineyards in Soave Classico for 13 generations (Since 1644) that could be called a break with tradition. The yields in their old vine vineyards are quite low and the extremely steep slopes hard to work, so what the Co Op pays for fruit just doesn't cut it. The localita of Brognoligo is home to many of the finest cru's of Soave Classico including Castellaro, which the Battistelle Vineyard is a part of. In all, 30+ parcels add up to a scant 10 hectares. The average vine age is approximately 80 years across all of the parcels and Battistelle and Roccolo del Durlo have a fair percentage of vines over 100 years old. The three bottlings are separated not only due to site but also sub-types of soils. The most recent coverage of Soave (Vinous-April 2022) included these comments about their wines, "The Montesei is a total pleasure to taste." , "This is simply stunning" (Re Battistelle). "There is simply so much character packed into this zesty Soave." Re Roccolo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/faceb057-b188-4e4d-a9ff-7de967f93e64/malibran-bio.jpg Veneto Producers - Malibran Susegana Malibran produces a spectacular array of Prosecco from their own, lovingly tended 7 hectare vineyard in Susegana. Maurizio Favrel and his family bottle the typical range of classic "Extra Dry", "Brut" and also a very dry "Cinque Grammi" (refering to only 5 grams RS.) These wines are all very carefully made in small quantities have a textural quality unlike any I've encountered. What really sets them apart and above in my opinion is that they also seem to have mastered the "Col Fondo" style of bone-dry, fermented in bottle versions. Production here is 100% estate bottled, rare in the Prosecco zone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/57fc6806-01d9-4ef2-9ef3-ff61565c51a1/Monte+del+Fra-Bio.jpg Veneto Producers - Monte del Fra Sommacampagna In terms of scale, Monte del Fra is well outside the size of most of the wineries we represent. In term of intentions, not so. Azienda Agricola Monte del Fra started with just a few hectares of vines in Custoza 65 years ago. Custoza was not then and still to this day not a well known or respected zone. Yet they were so successful making delicious wines there (something that seems to have escaped the grasp of other producers there) that it fueled growth to 240 hectares in every one of the Veronese appellations. (140 owned and another 100 leased & farmed by them). Although they have been making really good wine at all of the properties, the Custoza wines where it all began, are a pride and joy and for good reason. Quoting a recent article on the Custoza bottlings from Jancis Robinsons site, "It’s quite difficult to describe just how beautiful this wine is" , & "There are wines twice, thrice the price and half as good". https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/ed41dd3f-ed6b-4ec9-85e0-f5f3a3de5dda/marco-francesca.jpg Veneto Producers - Roccolo Grassi Mezzane di Sotto Marco Sartori is a very passionate and gifted young winemaker. This winery has quickly attained the levels of the greatest producers in the area. Most recent reviews put the winery on a par qualitatively with Quintarelli and DalForno, yet the style is quite distinct. The Mezzane valley is part of the Valpolicella Allagarta, the area outside of the classico zone to the northeast of Verona. This area is home to several of the best newer producers such as Dalforno and Roccolo Grassi. Sartori's goal and style is to produce concentrated but refined and elegant wines. He has succeeded admirably in creating a new category of Valpolicella and Amarone that are the equal of the other greats but distinctly different in their elegance. These are extremely limited production. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/31653618-c1fd-470b-b2dc-ef939a6d42b6/Terre-di-San-Venanziano.png Veneto Producers - Terre di San Venanzio Fortunato Valdobbiadene Fortunately, these wines are sooo good you'll forgive the difficult name and just call them San Venanzio. These Prosecco's are from the part of Valdobbiadene just adjacent to Cartizze and bear resemblance to wines that come from the Cru of Prosecco. The care and attention these are made with is immediately evident with tasting. Using only time, temperature and gravity to settle the base wines leaves the natural proteins in them and is very evident in the texture and consistency of the wine and it's mousse. This part of the new Prosecco Superiore DOCG zone makes wines distinctly different from the Conegliano side. They exihibit fine, fresh, flowery aromas and the most delicate mousse and creamy consistency. And from the "If you can't beat' em, join 'em " files comes the announcement that San Venanzio has produced a DOC version of Prosecco (arriving in October) for those who simply will not consider paying the premium for the DOCG versions. This one is a bit different than most in that the grapes are grown inside the DOCG area, hand harvested etc just like the others, not machine harvested on the flat plains. However growers can only declare a maximum yield allowed by the DOCG regs, and sometimes the sites go over that amount. It is this excess yield that produces this wine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/56044265-d63f-4b97-929d-c9907a9323cd/Vignalta.jpg Veneto Producers - Vignalta The small region known as Colli Euganei DOC might be one of Italy's most underated areas. It is something of a geological abberration where in the middle of what was once sea floor and is now the alarmingly flat Po River Valley, a series of steep, volcanic hills rose to about 600 meters. In some places the magma produced a bulge below pushing up the sea floor, resulting in lower, less steeply inclined cones and the magma never burst through to form the typical steep cones. These hills are clustered rather tightly together and approaching from some directions, zooming along the autostrada, they are down-right bizarre to behold. But what lies inside is a vine growers haven. https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/friuliveneziagiulia-producers daily 0.75 2023-07-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/7e38c298-f645-488b-9413-4dfe6c369837/Cantina+San+Martino.jpg Friuli-Venezia-Giulia Producers - Cantina San Martino-Pitars San Martino al Tagliamento The Pittaro family has been making wine in Friuli (Grave) since 1510. The gravelly plains where two rivers converged and left their calcareous dolomitic limestone deposits after the last Ice age, have long been recognized as vocated land for the cultivation of vines that create exceptional wines. From 120 hectares they harvest the fruit of many generation's patrimony. They are one of the oldest winemaking families in Friuli. https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/tuscany-producers daily 0.75 2023-08-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/d58ae4b3-f245-4b7b-b92b-73b46e05fe1e/buondonno-chianti-classico-29a.jpg Tuscany Producers - Buondonno-Casavecchia alla Piazza Castellina Gabriele & Valeria Buondonno (as this estate is also known) run this tiny fattoria on an ancient site called Casavecchia alla Piazza. The typical range of Tuscan agricultural products are produced here yet the wines are anything but typical. Buondonno's wines present the more elegant, earthy, "Burgundian" personality of Sangiovese. Struck as I was by the quality and character of the wines, the discovery that they are produced on an entirely organic farm only added to their charm. As it should be says Gabriele, who doesn't want anyone to buy his wine because of its organic provenance but because of the wine's intrinsic merit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/b284600f-3e93-4836-87c4-3e18ebd5640f/Tenuta-Cantagallo-Winery.jpg Tuscany Producers - Le Farnete & Tenuta Pierazzuoli Carmignano Brothers Enrico & Dario Pierazzuoli run these two estates founded by their father beginning in 1970. Since inception, their motto has been "One Bottle of Wine per Vine". While the secret to great wines lying in reduced yields (amongst other factors) is widespread today, that mentality was scarce in 1970 in Tuscany! The first acquisition was Tenuta Cantagallo in the Chianti Montalbano zone, then in 1990 they also purchased Le Farnete in nearby Carmignano. (Cantagallo must be known in the US as Pierazzuoli due to the Gallo folks of CA suing anyone who uses "Gallo"as even a part of a name for a wine) Although the wines have been in the NY market before with other importers, they are finally together under one roof with Artisan. It is a very fitting year to begin this collaboration as Carmignano celebrates the 300th Anniversary of the edict of 1716 by Cosimo de Medici when Carmignano created the first law in the world designed to protect a high quality wine growing zone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/5b7cec91-35f7-4daf-84a3-4756eafc77c5/Caparsa_Vendita_Diretta_rid.jpg Tuscany Producers - Caparsa Radda in Chianti Paolo Cianferoni took over winemaking at his family's 12 hectare property in 1982. Shortly thereafter he began the conversion to organic, quality-driven viticulture. Extremely low yield farming on the unusually exposed west by northwest sloping vineyards at a 500m + elevation, results in an atypical style for Chianti Classico. The wines are dark, dense and brooding, yet fine, revealing their high altitude site, with aging potential well beyond what is commonly expected. These are wines that really shine in warm vinatges and can be acidic in cool ones, yet the cool vintages are becoming a rarer commodity of late https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/550f5bc5-af9f-4336-8fa8-48e32820b4a5/Caprili-Montalcino-Family.jpg Tuscany Producers - Caprili Montalcino (Available in Connecticut only) Caprili was one of the early bottlers of Brunello, being number 60 out of what has now grown to about 240. I visited them for the first time in 1986. Giacomo, who is the third generation of the family making wines there was born in 1990, and is in charge of export sales didn't remember! The wines were great then and are even better now. Surrounded by many of the top vineyards in Montalcino such as Gianfranco Soldera's Casse Basse, Gaja's Pieve Santa Restituta etc, Caprili boasts ideally situated old vines and a modern cellar dedicated to traditional production methods. Cask aging is exclusively in large, sometimes very large casks. Although the team at Vinous has been quite complimentary about these wines over the last few years, this years' wines are a real standout. "Vibrant red. Minerals and violet complement lively red cherry and raspberry aromas on the incisive nose. Then enticingly fresh and well-balanced, with captivating violet inner-mouth perfume to the steely red and black fruit flavors that linger impressively. The delicately peppery finish features polished if youthful tannins and noteworthy purity of fruit. Knockout 2015 Brunello, one of the top half dozen of the year." It would be a good bet that the rest of the top half dozen cost at least twice as much. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/909c35f8-c471-4669-8cd5-6f36aa72da7e/podere-la-cappella.jpg Tuscany Producers - Podere La Cappella San Donato in Poggio This winery makes extraordinary Chianti that is massive and powerful without being at all International in style. Bruno and Natascha Rossini are the father and daughter team behind this project which is relatively new in the sometimes ancient world of Chianti producers. Low yield, organic farming is one of the keys to the power in these wines, their sub-zone is another. They bought the estate in 1979, but did not release wines under their own name until 1995. There are two super tuscans in addition to exemplary Chianti. Corbezzelo is 100% Sangiovese from a special selection of the oldest vines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/057acb8f-268d-4913-b0bf-7875e3323e03/Podere-le-Cinciole-Bio.jpg Tuscany Producers - Podere Le Cinciole Panzano (Available in Connecticut & Rhode Island only) Introducing Podere le Cinciole. Le Cinciole is one of the best producers in Panzano which is one of the best areas of the Classico zone. This is a small organic/biodynamic producer making some of the most compelling wines in Chianti today. While Panzano is famous for the ampitheatre shaped “Conca D’Oro” which is south and south west exposed, Le Cinciole is slightly higher and predominately south-eastern exposure. What this means is that they get the morning sun, it is cooler overall and that creates wines of incredible balance combined with the power Panzano is known for. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/513a2fc7-6c04-412b-8ff4-7579e5508fef/Podere-San-Lorenzo-BIo.jpg Tuscany Producers - Podere San Lorenzo Montalcino Podere San Lorenzo is a third generation grape growing estate but a first generation wine prodcucing estate. They are located at some of the highest elevations (500 M ASL plus) in Montalcino and farm just shy of 7 hectares They are certified organic and count amongst their close neighbors, many of the most highly rated estates in the zone. Luciano Ciolfi, great grandson of the founder, Lorenzo Ferretti is the first to make wine commercially. His wines come across first and foremost, as authentic,traditional, examples of Brunello. I will even admit a tiny, welcome, note of old school rutiscity. They remind me of the Brunello I fell in love with almost 40 years ago and have been pining for since. https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/marche-1 daily 0.75 2023-02-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/91c60f2d-6be3-449e-bd6e-a4ddf79440c1/foto_cantine_belisario_vendemmia_800x551.jpg Marche - Belisario Matelica What makes a great white wine? Most well informed wine lovers tend to go to the regions of Burgundy, Mosel, Rheingau and Wachau and talk of the combined attributes of ripe (but not over-ripe) fruit, laced with minerality and natural acidity. German and Austrian Rieslings as well as white Burgundies are well known to posses this trilogy of attributes which creates the possibility for a fourth which is the ability to live and develop in bottle into something sublime. The Marches' better Verdicchio's have these same attributes and in Spades! The Gambero Rosso's top category for white tre-bicchierri winners is in fact Verdicchio and yet here in the USA we are still essentially asleep with regard to the greatness of these wines. Belisario is a coop in the Matelica zone and has taken a page from the best coops of the Alto-Adige in the fact that they are producing wines second to none in their area. Only the prices are a tip off that they are not a small family estate. Four wines, all unique, and all bargains for what they deliver. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/b2a23e11-03c8-44e5-85a9-fd4cb9602266/coroncino-2010.jpg Marche - Fattoria Coroncino Staffolo Valerio Canestrari has assumed control of the seminal estate that his father Lucio Canestrari and mother Fiorella established over the last 4 decades. Fatt. Coroncino was among the early names involved in elevating the quality and image of Verdicchio in the Marche. Early on he was also a darling of the wine press, garnering all of the awards, bunches and glasses alike. These days the wines pretty much sell themselves (we actually had to wait a few years to get some allocations carved out for us) so Lucio didn't go out of his way to impress the writers and reviewers. Although the AIS reliably gives 5 bunches each year to at least two of them. All of the wines are called Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore (Verd d CdJ Cl Sup), meaning they are from the historical "classico" zone and and are produced from grapes grown with more limited yields than those that don't carry the Superiore designation. In fact Coroncino's yields are just over half of the more stringent Superiore rule. Organic but not certified or a member of any organization. (Lucio was the type of guy who wouldn't be a member of any club that would have him.) Il Bacco, the base wine, is a blend of the two cru's. Il Coroncino is a cru defined by soil and exposure of higher clay content and an E - NE exposure. Gaiospino, the most celebrated of Coroncino's wines sits on calcareous marl looking SW. https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/poderi-san-lazzaro-wines daily 0.75 2022-04-30 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/selvagrossa-wines daily 0.75 2022-04-30 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/umbria-producers daily 0.75 2023-02-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/194e9b08-303d-4ae8-812d-f5a879cf26e5/Perticaia-Winery.jpg Umbria Producers - Perticaia It has been quite some time since Artisan sold wines from Umbria. We have always found the wines there (with a few exceptions) to be rather clumsy in terms of the tannin/fruit balance. Perticaia's wines are one of the few exceptions that make the rule. Their wines are big for sure, there is no way around that given the soils and moreso, the Sagrantino grape that is featured either exclusively or in a blend with Sangiovese and sometimes a bit of international varieties. Perticaia's wines have a level of finesse rare in the DOCG zone and it is not by accident. The Guardigli family chose the area around Casale which is known for the comparative inherent finess that wines grown here have above the surrounding territory. Very careful low yield farming and meticulous winemaking complete the picture. Even the winery's name ("plow" in dialect) and logo exemplify the close tie to this land and the inherent vineyard and farming focus employed here. Only about 8,000 cases in total from just over 15 hectares. If you don't take our word for, just taste the wines and read what Ian D'Agata had to say recently in "Vinous" June 2016 "Owner Guido Guardigli has only been making Montefalco wines for a dozen years or so but has quickly risen to the top of the heap in Montefalco. Above all, his wines are characterized by unbelievable grace and refinement, and thus Perticaia’s Sagrantino wines, unlike those of far too many other producers, are not brutally mouth-coating and astringent in their tannic power." https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/perticaia-wines daily 0.75 2022-04-30 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/oregon-producers daily 0.75 2025-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/699aac1f-ccbe-4f5a-9cf8-62b03932184b/Belle-Pente-81opt.jpg Oregon - United States - Belle Pente Brian and Jill O'Donnell's Belle Pente estate has come to be known as one of the most reliable, "Blue Chip" producers in the state of Oregon. These wines have another dimension of complexity and elegance to them that is rare in the new world. They farm organically at the estate and follow most of the biodynamic guidelines ( yet seek no certifications), as well as purchase from other quality oriented growers in the nearby areas of the Williamette Valley. Brian limits his radius of vineyards he works with to 5 miles. That way he can frequently check on them to be sure the grapes he has contracted for being grown in the right way. Winemaker Brian seeks to craft terroir driven wines that express Pinot Noir and the places it is grown. He is not making the very dark, big, alcoholic wines that unfortunately seem to be in fashion with many winemakers. All of the wines are carefully made in their tri-level, gravity flow cellar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/f87710c9-4dd1-46de-879e-8454fcaf29aa/Kelley-Fox.jpg Oregon - United States - Kelley Fox Wines (Available in Connecticut only) After making wines for some well known producers over the last 2 decades, Kelley Fox is flyin' solo as of 2015, and increasing production modestly year by year, without giving up the wines' highly pedigreed sourcing. She utilizes only very high quality, exclusively organic fruit sources. Although she doesn't own these vineyards she is none the less very involved in the farming of her sections. Since these wines debuted a decade ago they have had consistently, uniformly high praise. The most recent being from the Dec. 2016 Vinous Article; "Anyone who avers that New World Pinot cannot match Burgundy for finesse and complexity has clearly never tried anything from this small, impressively consistent producer" and "As approachable as Fox’s wines are soon after release, they have the balance to age and, as a bonus, they deliver exceptional value for their quality." Quietly and slowly Kelley has gone from a tiny upstart as a side project to her "Day Job" to one of OR's "Blue Chip" producers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/ca1b0fa8-2aaf-4b34-838a-6631b8e701ef/le-brebis-image.jpg Oregon - United States - Les Brebis Ray Schaeffer is the owner/winemaker of this micro-sized start up focused on the Eola Amity Hills AVA in OR. Les Brebis (pr; lay brew bee) means "the ewes" or female sheep for those not as accustomed to French animal husbandry terms. Using his own name would undoubtedly end up legally complicated and since Schaeffer means "Shepherd" in German, it somehow ended up with this name. Ray sources fruit from several vineyards, all in the Eola Amity Hills AVA, spontaneously ferments in small open top fermenters and then goes to a judicious 20% new french oak elevage. As his still tiny production expands just a bit, there are some additional bottlings. We have for the first time his extreeemely small production wines from his two best vineyards in the Eola -Amity hills, just 3 barrels (68 cases) each of Zenith and Walnut Hill vineyards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/e85b37d9-17b5-4b64-99e4-4df6ced10871/McKinlay-Vineyards-img.jpg Oregon - United States - McKinlay Vineyards Matt Kinne has quietly been making excellent Pinots for two decades now. To say he is not big on self promotion, is a huge understatement. Matt prefers to let his uniquely styled wines sell themselves. And they do, for 20 years now. Yet Matt's wines are not for everyone, with their lower alcohols and higher acids, these wines are loved by wine lovers and rarely by some wine writers that prize power and sweet fruit over finesse. John Haeger's first book on Pinot Noir simply states that, He maintains a low profile but makes some of Oregon's best Pinot Noir (and) ...Every McKinlay Pinot I have tasted has been complex and fine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/c6f113a6-4644-4d7d-a8cf-7f9223e143c1/WhiteWalnut-31.jpg Oregon - United States - White Walnut Estate From the company that brought you Arterberry-Maresh and Kelley Fox Wines, comes the most important new producer of excellent wines out of the Dundee Hills in quite a long time. The two aforementioned were quite good when they began and over a decade became truly superb. Chris Mazepink's White Walnut Estate is starting out superb, right out of the gate, I can only imagine how good these wines will be with additional vine age. All of the viticulture is certified organic by USDA and biodynamic by Demeter and all in the Jory soils of the Dundee Hills. Chris and his sons Archer and Charles planted their 6.5 acres that border Drouhin and Archery Summit in 2014 according to an ideology of "polyculture" Chris had developed over his decades as winemaker for Shea, Archery Summit and Benton Lane. There are also some small nearby parcels that are leased and farmed by the Mazepink family. The only drawback that I see is that at least for some time there is just so little wine available for our market. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/c4523aa5-6017-44ac-8f79-6fe7c66b7f39/Violin+Cellars+Profile.jpg Oregon - United States - Violin Cellars A relative new-comer in 2013, the house style at Violin could be described as purity & poise. Owner - winemaker Will Hamilton started making wine in the Willamette Valley in 2005, and through a succession of 5 assistant winemaker jobs, culminating at Walter-Scott, (where he began making tiny quantities of his own wines), has vinified fruit from more than 100 different vineyards, 25 of which were in the Eola-Amity Hills sub AVA. And this is where Will has "hung his hat" so to speak, believing that EAH naturally produces fruit in line with his goals of purity & poise. Simply put, we agree. In an effort to achieve his stylistic goals he has arranged vineyard contracts in some of the highest elevation sites in the EAH AVA, and picks a bit earlier than others might. There is plenty of ripe fruit in these wines, but also tension and freshness, lending beautiful balance. https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/white-walnut-estate-wines daily 0.75 2023-08-22 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/mckinlay-vineyards-wines daily 0.75 2023-02-05 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/kelley-fox-wines daily 0.75 2023-02-05 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/belle-pente-wines daily 0.75 2023-02-05 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/lombardia-producers daily 0.75 2023-08-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/702eb2db-ee39-4684-8d5a-21bfae913356/convento-san-lorenzo-5.jpg.jpg Lombardia Producers - Convento San Lorenzo Sassella The Convento San Lorenzo is the most imposing architectural feature of the landscape of Sassella, perhaps the most famed sub zone of the Valtellina. The geological features are impressive enough, but this fortress-like convent crowning Sassella's highest mountain is, well.. just an impressive sight to behold.The massive structure from 1100 AD , sits above 600 M ASL with the steep, stone-terraced, Nebbiolo vineyards cascading down towards the valley floor in front of it. Twenty some years ago, Mamete Prevostini took control of the vineyards and did major work in re-orienting rows, replanting etc. The 7.5 hectares that surround the convent are now mature enough and Mamete has launched a separate company from the Prevostini label, devoted just to this project at the top of his quality pyramid. These wines are Valtellina grace and elegance defined. I feel honored that he felt the right home for this project is Artisan Wines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/25de7375-80f8-4e75-b255-b3c99cd273a3/mamete-prevostini-image.jpg Lombardia Producers - Mamete Prevostini Mese (Available in Connecticut & Rhode Island only) The Valtellina is a stunning place of heroic and historic viticulture. To call the terraced hillsides "steep", just doesn't do it justice. Working in these vineyards is not for the faint of heart. Luckily, Mamete's brother Paolo is just the sort of man for the job. A cross between Sly Stallone in "Cliffhanger" and your prototypical Vignaiolo, Paolo makes sure the grapes that his brother gets are the best possible. One has to appreciate the elegant, ethereal, restrained, yet "sneakily powerful" style of Nebbiolo that is the hallmark of the region's wines to make it all seem worthwhile. Mamete is one of the leading figures in the area, president of the consortium etc etc. Most importantly, he is a great winemaker who carefully treads the line between traditional flavor profiles (if not methods) and a healthy disdain for dirty and sloppy wines, which are not hard to find in the area. Between the two there is plenty of both Brain and Brawn, just what is necessary here. They have lots of awards from Italian press sources. All the wines are 100% Nebbiolo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/738d95db-12ef-4dab-beab-5b1f1944b276/noventa-bottocino.png Lombardia Producers - Noventa Botticino Mattina Although it is one of the very first zones to be awarded DOC status in Italy in 1967, Botticino is more likely to be well known amongst those in the stone business than the wine business. These two facts are linked. The marble in Grand Central Station as well as the White House and many other places around the world where they want the finest, was mined in Botticino. In 1900 there were approximately 1300 hectares in production of grapes here and given the tiny size of the area, that is most of the land that could be planted to grapes. But given how hard it is to tend vines where under thin layers of topsoil, the vines must send their roots into the cracks between slabs of underground marble, not to mention the steep grade of these hills, higher paying and easier jobs in the marble quarrying business lured folks away from producing the then famous Botticino wine. Today there are only 42 hectares still in production, eighteen of those by Pierangelo Noventa, his daughter Alessandra and her husband Cristiano. There are a few others that bottle commercially, and I was very surprised to learn that Noventa is NOT the only producer available in NY, but most that is made now is for household use by the locals. It was forty years ago that Pierangelo, seeing most of the viticultural history of this area being eroded by higher paying jobs in the marble business, decided to become a producer at a commercial (if small) level. Their focus, like any great producer, is on the vineyards and the unique characteristics that the various plots produce and for many years have bottled cru's based on soil types. Although they have been farming organically for many years, their official certification came through effective for the 2014 vintage after the 7 year application process. These wines smell, taste and feel like they do mostly due to the soils they grow on. Here perhaps more than anywhere, the variety is only the conduit to transmit the taste of these unique soils, however I know that I cannot get away with not stating what the varieties are, even though it is truly secondary. The DOC discipline calls for a blend of Sangiovese, Barbera, Marzemino and Schiava Gentile. Although the percentages vary a bit by the Cru and vintage, Barbera and Sangiovese play the leading roles, the other two, supporting roles. Aging varies from 36 to 50 months in 12-18 HL Garbellotti Botte. Not surprisingly they have several top SloWine awards and now three straight Tre Bichierri. The finest kind of Gem! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/c13cb106-d0b5-4680-afa5-373927dbbbcd/podere-selva-capuzza-3.jpg Lombardia Producers - Podere Selva Capuzza Desenzano del Garda Selva (wild) Capuzza (hood) is situated on the highest elevations (110-125 M) of Lugana, a notoriously low and flat zone. Much of the wine of the zone is produced not far off Lake Garda's shores which sits at 65 M ASL. The ancient name of the place refers to these hills and the natural state of things in them. While 125 meters is not exactly towering above the rest of the zone, its important for two key reasons. Here is where the glacier that carved out Lago di Garda came to rest against the gentle hill and the soil compostion is a bit different than the flatter area towards the lake with it's highly compacted clay soils. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/76e3da2c-c9a0-470a-8dd7-70df64821da1/podre-selva-capuzza-2.jpg Lombardia Producers There are also impressive red wines here, something rare in this zone, moreso because Luca has resisted the temptation over the last few decades when it was fashionable, to blend international varieties with indigenous grapes. Here the reds celebrate their local culture and history and employ only those cultivars. Something of a rarity is a 100% varietal Groppello. This is a delicious light to medium bodied red that is only 12.5 % and has a quaffable, versatile character. There are 500 hectares of it planted around the western side of Garda, so it's not as rare as Verduno Pelaverga, but most of it ends up in a DOC blend of this region known as Garda Classico Rosso and Rosato or alternatively Riviera del Garda Classico Rosso and Rosato. I mention Pelaverga because it is somehow reminiscent of that variety. The fruit tones are darker tending towards darker red and blue fruit tones, and the characteristic spiciness carries a more mineral vein than Pelaverga. Yet,... drinking it I was as charmed as I was drinking my first Pelaverga. https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/abruzzo-producers daily 0.75 2023-02-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/89cc1ae5-e3af-4885-889f-c19814f8a6eb/Torre-dei-Beatti-1.png Abruzzo Producers - Torre dei Beati Loreto Aprutino This tiny winery is the passion of two former sommeliers, a husband and wife team who are making some really exciting wines from their certified organically farmed vineyards. All of their wines have quickly achieved benchmark status in the region, most garnering the highest scores in their categories in important publications like the WA and IWC. The Montepulciano's show a clarity and focus that is rare in this area of "muddy" wines. https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/lazio-producers daily 0.75 2023-02-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/d83b8f32-c745-43a9-a68a-4eb540cd1681/cincinnato-image.jpg Lazio Producers - Cincinnato Cori Cincinnato is a medium sized Co-op founded in 1947 in the low volcanic hills south of Rome in the town of Cori. These hills are the first ones rising after the narrow band of coastal plain that is about 5-7 miles wide. They are therefore buffeted by cooling see breezes. Membership was restricted shortly after the foundation so as to maintain a relatively small size for a Co-op. In all, something a bit short of 270 hectares of vines are being farmed by the co-ops approx. 105 members. But they did something rather extraordinary for a co-op in this region approx. twenty years ago that is referred to the "Quality Project" and it has made them one of the best Co-ops in Central Italy. Their agronomists analyzed all of the vineyards, soils, exposures, vine age etc. and found that about 80 hectares were advocated to the production of superior grapes. These 80 hectares are treated differently as are the monies allocated from the grapes that come from them. Their owners are paid extra to produce less in these sites and with the help of the agronomists, they train and prune for low yielding quality grapes. These are the wines that we are importing and none from the other 170 Hectares. The autoctonous varieties here are uniquely associated with these hills and include; Bellone, Malvasia del Lazio (aka "Speckled Malvasia" "Malvasia Puntinato" and Nero Buono. Other varieties are also grown and include Cesanese, Greco & Montepulciano. We are beginning with the wines that are most unique to this area around Cori but all of them are really quite good. https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/campania-producers daily 0.75 2025-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/c4922726-7445-489e-9982-f6aa05781965/territorio-home-tenuta-sarno.png Campania Producers - Tenuta Sarno 1860 Candida (AV) Fiano and only Fiano. The singular pursuit of Tenuta Sarno is to create world class wines from the indigenous variety of their territory, Fiano di Avellino. Maura Sarno's family purchased their first plot in 1860, yet winemaking was only a "hobby" until Maura decided to follow her then recently deceased father's dream and replanted their ancient vineyard in 2002 and built a modern winery. So after a great deal of study (clones, rootstocks etc) they planted a very high density vineyard, 5500 plants per hectare on 7 + hectares at 630 M ASL, coincidentally some of the highest vineyards in the entire Fiano zone. The tiny village of Candida, (named for the bright white type of limestone, "pietra candida",) 15 km SE of Avellino, was not considered in the past to be a great terroir for Fiano. Too high, too cool. Now with climate change, the climate is ideal and the stone, unique to Candida, imparts a distinct minerality to the wines of the area. Sarno has rented another 6 nearby hectares and planted and so now is farming 13 of the total of 30 hectares of Fiano in Candida. The still Fiano comes in two variations. No skin contact and partial skin contact. (Emme) . All of them delicious on release yet seem to beg for additional aging that will be handsomely rewarded. Reviews of their efforts put this young /old operation very near the top of the class, so early on in their journey. Already masterful, the best is yet to come! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/e3f6d433-8afc-4bcb-bdd9-eae1dab1d01f/vadiaperti-traerte-img-wine.jpg Campania Producers - Vadiaperti Montefredane The winery has gone through some changes, the official name of the company is now "Traerte", but they still call the brand Vadiaperti. This winery was one of the key players in the first "renaissance" of the Avellino/Tufo areas. Prof. Antonio Troisi was the spokesperson of sorts for his area's reality and future potential. His early and unexpected death left his son, Raffaelle, who's hand was always in the winemaking, to deal with many facets of running the business that he knew little about. It took him some time to get it all in order to re-focus his obvious skill back into the winemaking primarily. Vadiaperti has returned and "in grand style"-GR. These wines are intense, complex, harmonious and clearly destined for long lives in the bottle. A recent tasting in Italy with many journalists present confirmed this property's ability to make wine for the ages. A fourteen vintage vertical of Fiano showed no decay of these stellar whites. The Greco is just as impressive if not more so. To quote Gambero Rosso "The astoundingly broad, characterful Greco di Tufo missed three glasses by a hair. The array of aromas is led by pink grapefruit, fresh almond and gunflint. the palate is, if anything, even more complex with aniseed spiciness, a sumptuous mid-palate and a terse finish of great austerity". Standing in the vineyard it is obvious why it is so. At 750 meters above SL, this steep, SW exposed site sits at the highest point in the DOCG zone. It is the top of the best hillside of the Greco di Tufo zone called "Montefusco". As good as the Fiano and Greco are, Raffaelle’s hand with Coda di Volpe is another calling card. Few wineries work with the rare indigenous grape, fewer still to such great results. https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/puglia-producers daily 0.75 2023-02-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/12097b38-0bec-4bf5-b99e-66829cc27862/Dalfonso-dal-Sordo-2.jpg Puglia Producers - D'Alfonso dal Sordo San Severo When most folks talk about Pugliese wines they talk about the High Octane Primitivo's and Negroamaro wines from the southern end of the heel. I say get over it! The best wines in Puglia are those from further north and particularly those made in part or exclusively from Uva de Troia. This grape has rich flavor but also a lot of class in the right hands. The autochtonous white variety "Bombino Bianco" is definitely the most interesting of the white idigenous grapes of the area. For many years there was some speculation that the legendary Edoardo Valentini's great Trebbiano D'Abruzzo was not Trebbiano at all, but a "nativized" clone of Bombino from nearby northern Puglia! One taste of this pure Bombino and you'll be wondering too. The winery produces many great products but to begin we will focus on two that are ridiculously good values, Bombino Bianco and Casteldrione, a pure Uva de Troia. https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/sardegna-producers daily 0.75 2023-02-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/92bbcb3c-e029-48ce-a339-9f12396892f6/cantina-tani-wine.jpg Sardegna Producers - Cantina Tani Monti It is almost a sad thing that such a broad DOC for Vermentino exists as "Vermentino di Sardegna". 9300 square miles of the island all qualifying for the same designation. I believe this may be part of the confusion and reason for the lack of esteem here in the US for the DOCG zone of Vermentino di Gallura, one of Italy's great white wines and one of the rare white DOCG's in all of Italy. You see, even though there is some good Vermentino di Sardegna, there is also a sea of plonk. Really bad Vermentino di Gallura I haven't found yet, (it must exist) but the best are THRILLING! On Sevenfifty there are 23 VdS DOC wines and only 4 VdG DOCG wines. Yes the others are cheaper but you just cannot compare the character and quality, and "hey! this is NY!" The main difference is that in Gallura the decomposed granitic soils do real wonders for this varietal. Tonnino Tani and his two lovely daughters Angelica and Roberta, are making some seriously good VdG! His wife Federica is in charge of the kitchen. Tonnino and his big brothers began planting vineyards about 40 years ago, when he was a boy. The family had a Trattoria and Inn and so aside from wine for the family, they made their own wine for the restaurant. (Which appeared on my visit to be able to deplete a fair amount annually!) Tonnino especially liked the vineyard work and so they kept buying and planting and what grapes they didn't need for their own production, they sold to the co-op. It all happened rather organically rather than some lightning bolt of "lets be real wine producers!"It is very common still in Sardegna that nearly every family has a small vineyard and makes some homemade wine. What grapes aren't chosen for their own prodcution gets taken to the co-op. But as the vines got older and yields diminished, the idea of selling to the co-op at the prices they pay just no longer seemed attractive, so Tonnino built a bigger facility and since 2006 no longer sells the fruit. The oldest vineyards (averaging over 30 years) produce little and go into the Taerra bottling. The younger vines are at least 15 years old now and produce the Meoru bottling. https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/sicily-producers daily 0.75 2023-08-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/96e5881d-9f01-4fef-83a6-d61fdef416f1/CALCANEUS-IMG.jpg Sicily Producers - Calcaneus Gianni and Franco Calcagno's wines are back! An issue with trademark infringement forced them to re-brand in the USA as some other name, which is now Calcaneus. In addition, they have moved into a new, expanded and more modern winery and it shows in the wines. There is even greater clarity and precision in these new releases, yet the tell tale marks of organic, old vine viticulture is more than evident, it is amplified. The elevage in the cellar is moving to a greater use of large "Botte" and less reliance on neutral older barriques. As a relatively young winery (at least at a commercial level) recognition has been piling up fro their wines. Bibenda awarded the 2016 Rosato the award for the Best Rose wine in Italy! In his last article in Vinous about Sicily, Ian D'Agata had this to say, "Calcagno represents everything that Italy does so well in wine. An older generation of sharp, passionate individuals, a new one that is just as passionate and being intelligently worked into the estate’s mechanisms, a small vineyard holding in an exceptionally high quality viticultural area, and belief in local high quality native grape varieties" and in the prior report, "Gianni and Franco Calcagno lead a gem of an estate that has quickly risen to the top of Etna’s quality hierarchy, thanks to years of very precise, highly mineral red wines that speak clearly of Nerello Mascalese and the volcanic soils of Etna" https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/emilia-romagna-producers daily 0.75 2023-02-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/58858d70-c981-4d0c-9f93-6df00f5bac84/madonia_cinque.jpg Emilia Romagna Producers - Giovanna Madonia Bertinoro Giovanna is the second generation making wine on this 12 hectare property on Montemaggio, taking over from her father who was the first president of the Regional Consorzio. Giovanna wanted to do her dad one better and continued planting higher up on their property, up to 1000 feet with new clones, high vine density (7000/ht) and trained in the ancient alberello or bush system. The steep, high, vineyards exposed to the southwest get optimal sun yet are buffeted by cooling sea breezes coming from only 5 miles away. We are truly proud to add these wines to the Artisan portfolio. They really belong. https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/chateau-chante-alouette-wines daily 0.75 2023-02-17 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/le-battistelle-wines daily 0.75 2023-02-17 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/castel-juval-wines daily 0.75 2023-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/a033dea3-60dd-4214-8b8b-dc0b859cb5a0/Arcuria-2018-188x300.png Castel Juval - Wines - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/5562f7b5-9c8e-4935-a6a0-b901dfb0b11d/Feudo-di-Mezzo-2018.png Castel Juval - Wines - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6039af66fc57820778eaa868/ede6026d-2473-44fc-8b2c-6bcc220b5246/Nireddu-2018.png Castel Juval - Wines - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/les-brebis-wines daily 0.75 2023-08-22 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/vicara-wines daily 0.75 2023-08-22 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/tacchino-wines daily 0.75 2023-08-22 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/decapo-wines daily 0.75 2023-08-22 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/platinetti-guido-wines daily 0.75 2023-08-22 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/gianluigi-lano-wines daily 0.75 2023-08-22 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/monchiero-fratelli-wines daily 0.75 2023-08-22 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/casavecchnia-wines daily 0.75 2023-08-22 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/convento-san-lorenzo-wines daily 0.75 2023-08-22 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/malibran-wines daily 0.75 2023-08-22 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/monte-del-fra-wines daily 0.75 2023-08-22 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/podere-san-lorenzo-wines daily 0.75 2025-04-06 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/tenuta-sarno-1860-wines daily 0.75 2023-08-22 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/chateau-du-montfaucon-wines daily 0.75 2025-03-30 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/violin-cellars-wines daily 0.75 2025-01-19 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/chateau-de-montfaucon-wines daily 0.75 2025-03-02 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/domaine-des-florets-wines daily 0.75 2025-04-06 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/domaine-andre-berthet-rayne-wines daily 0.75 2025-04-06 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/domaine-la-loyane-wines daily 0.75 2025-04-06 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/marrenon-wines daily 0.75 2025-01-20 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/mas-carlot-wines daily 0.75 2025-04-06 https://www.artisanwinesinc.com/domaine-de-montine-wines daily 0.75 2025-04-06