Sicily

The largest Mediterranean island, separated from the Italian peninsula by the very narrow Messina strait, Sicily is probably among the richest regions in history, art and cultural heritage, a mosaic of colours and contrasts.

According to legend, it was Dionysus (Bacchus) who brought pleasure to mankind, and wine to Sicily.

In the past, Sicily was famous for its Marsala and cheap bulk wines. Over the last 30 years, however, Sicily’s wine culture has changed dramatically and is now considered as one of the best regions.

The Sicilian has the largest vineyard in all of Italy. It is three times the size of the vineyard in New Zealand, larger than vineyard in South Africa and equivalent to the vineyard in Germany.

Donnafugata

Established in 1983 by Giacomo Rallo, the winery is now led by José and Antonio.

Donnafugata boasts vineyards in Contessa Entellina, nestled in the heart of western Sicily, as well as on Pantelleria island, situated between Sicily and Africa.

The 2016 harvest marked a milestone for Donnafugata, fulfilling the aspiration to produce wines in eastern Sicily with the distinguished Etna, Cerasuolo, and Frappato di Vittoria appellations.

The name Donnafugata, meaning ‘lady in flight,’ originates from the novel ‘Il Gattopardo’ and alludes to the tale of a queen who sought sanctuary in what are now the company’s vineyards, a narrative that also inspired the company’s logo.

Tuscany

Tuscany is known for its landscapes, history and artistic legacy.

As the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, the region has an incredible art and architecture heritage.

Tuscany is certainly the most famous of all Italian regions for its wines. Sangiovese reigns in all its forms in the vineyards of Chianti but also Montepulciano and Montalcino.

It is also the land of the Super Tuscan, the Bordeaux blend style that laid the foundation of some of the greatest Italian wines.

As a pairing with these wines, Tuscany cuisine is based on simplicity but high quality and certainly topped with Tuscan olive oil, recognized all over the world.

San Polino

San Polino is about 8 hectares of Sangiovese vineyards which lie in 3 different plots of land. They are located at San Polino and to the north of Montalcino to 450m asl.

It was the first farm in Montalcino to obtain Organic certification, in 1994.

The owners, Luigi and Katia, have a holistic attitude to viticulture.

They believe that they must respect, encourage and restore the biodiversity in the vineyard.

To fertilize the fields, they make their own compost using the stalks of the grape bunches, the pressed grape skins, all the green cuttings, from grass to pruning and animal dung.

They plant grasses and beans to add nitrogen and nutrients to the soil.

Sicily

The largest Mediterranean island, separated from the Italian peninsula by the very narrow Messina strait, Sicily is probably among the richest regions in history, art and cultural heritage, a mosaic of colours and contrasts.

According to legend, it was Dionysus (Bacchus) who brought pleasure to mankind, and wine to Sicily.

In the past, Sicily was famous for its Marsala and cheap bulk wines. Over the last 30 years, however, Sicily’s wine culture has changed dramatically and is now considered as one of the best regions.

The Sicilian has the largest vineyard in all of Italy. It is three times the size of the vineyard in New Zealand, larger than vineyard in South Africa and equivalent to the vineyard in Germany.

Donnafugata

Established in 1983 by Giacomo Rallo, the winery is now led by José and Antonio.

Donnafugata boasts vineyards in Contessa Entellina, nestled in the heart of western Sicily, as well as on Pantelleria island, situated between Sicily and Africa.

The 2016 harvest marked a milestone for Donnafugata, fulfilling the aspiration to produce wines in eastern Sicily with the distinguished Etna, Cerasuolo, and Frappato di Vittoria appellations.

The name Donnafugata, meaning ‘lady in flight,’ originates from the novel ‘Il Gattopardo’ and alludes to the tale of a queen who sought sanctuary in what are now the company’s vineyards, a narrative that also inspired the company’s logo.

Sicily

The largest Mediterranean island, separated from the Italian peninsula by the very narrow Messina strait, Sicily is probably among the richest regions in history, art and cultural heritage, a mosaic of colours and contrasts.

According to legend, it was Dionysus (Bacchus) who brought pleasure to mankind, and wine to Sicily.

In the past, Sicily was famous for its Marsala and cheap bulk wines. Over the last 30 years, however, Sicily’s wine culture has changed dramatically and is now considered as one of the best regions.

The Sicilian has the largest vineyard in all of Italy. It is three times the size of the vineyard in New Zealand, larger than vineyard in South Africa and equivalent to the vineyard in Germany.

Donnafugata

Established in 1983 by Giacomo Rallo, the winery is now led by José and Antonio.

Donnafugata boasts vineyards in Contessa Entellina, nestled in the heart of western Sicily, as well as on Pantelleria island, situated between Sicily and Africa.

The 2016 harvest marked a milestone for Donnafugata, fulfilling the aspiration to produce wines in eastern Sicily with the distinguished Etna, Cerasuolo, and Frappato di Vittoria appellations.

The name Donnafugata, meaning ‘lady in flight,’ originates from the novel ‘Il Gattopardo’ and alludes to the tale of a queen who sought sanctuary in what are now the company’s vineyards, a narrative that also inspired the company’s logo.

Lombardy

Lombardy is the most populous, richest and most productive region in the country. 16.2% of the national population (10 million people) live there and create 21% of the total GDP.
The region is an important producer of wines but not really well recognized except Franciacorta, the Italy’s most prestigious sparkling wines.
If Italy is known for its spaghettis, Rice is very popular in the region, often found in soups as well as risotti, such as “risotto alla milanese”, with saffron. Butter is used, no olive oil!
The region is famous for its historical figures such as Virgil, Pliny the Elder, Caravaggio, Claudio Monteverdi, Antonio Stradivari, Alessandro Volta and popes John XXIII and Paul VI.

Ca’ del Bosco

Maurizio Zanella founded Ca’ del Bosco in 1968. The winery is situated in the Franciacorta region of Lombardy among the gentle hills of Brescia, south of Lake Iseo. Its neighbouring towns were historically better known for their production of firearms than wine.
Mr Zanella dedicated himself, for decades, to put Franciacorta on the map of quality Italian wine regions. He has worked to ensure the word “Franciacorta” would indicate a specific type of sparkling wine from a specific region, and would not be confused with “methode champenoise” or “spumante.”
Nowadays, the winery owns vineyards planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Nero and other indigenous Franciacorta grapes. Ca’ del Bosco’s reputation for sparkling wines has been secured by the excellence of its cuvées.

Veneto

The Veneto, located in the north-east of Italy, is about five million population, ranking fifth in Italy.

It is a very touristic area, mainly to Venice but also Verona.

It is also a region that contributes a significant percentage of the country’s total wine industry.

Soave, Valpolicella or Amarone, are produced there. The super trendy sparkling wine Prosecco has its origins and its best expression in the Veneto.

Much of Italy’s Pinot grigio hails from the Veneto, where the crisp and refreshing style is easy to maintain.

Bertani

The company was established in 1857 by brothers Giovan Battista and Gaetano Bertani in north of Verona.

The winery’s influence on Veneto’s winemaking, especially in Amarone production, is so profound that the names ‘Bertani’ and ‘Amarone’ are almost interchangeable.

Bertani produced its first official vintage of Amarone Classico, crafted through natural appassimento, in 1958.

Today, the winery continues to blend tradition with innovation, managing over 200 hectares of vineyards in the prime areas of the Verona province.

In 2018, Bertani was honored with the title “Winery of the Year” by Doctor Wine.

In 2023, one more award as “Winery of the Year” by Gambero Rosso.

Rhône

One of the demanded red wine regions in France is the Rhône! The Valley is starting south of Lyon and is continuing along the Rhône River until Provence.

Due to its notable length, it has varying soils, expositions, micro-climates and varieties.

The north is home to appellations such as Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, St-Joseph, Cornas and features Syrah as its sole red grape. Its whites include Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier.

In its southern half of the Rhône, the wines are notably different. The vineyards are hotter, flatter and composed of different soils and varieties, such as Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan as well as the ubiquitous Syrah. The resulting wines such as Châteauneuf du Pape, are rich and robust with lots of character and warmth.

Cave de Tain

Established in 1933, Cave de Tain is located at the foot of the Hermitage hillside.

Cave de Tain is the leader of “cru” wines in the northern Rhône Valley in producing 5 famous appellations: Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint Joseph, Cornas and Saint Peray.

The winery owns 28ha of vineyards and has access to more than 1000 hectares through a longterm partnership with farmers in buying their grapes every year, making Cave de Tain the leader in the region from far.

The Rhône Valley is the birthplace of Syrah. It is the only red varietal used for 5 of the “crus” wines produced in the northern Rhône: Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint Joseph, Cornas appellations and in the very north Côte Rôtie.

Rhône

One of the demanded red wine regions in France is the Rhône! The Valley is starting south of Lyon and is continuing along the Rhône River until Provence.

Due to its notable length, it has varying soils, expositions, micro-climates and varieties.

The north is home to appellations such as Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, St-Joseph, Cornas and features Syrah as its sole red grape. Its whites include Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier.

In its southern half of the Rhône, the wines are notably different. The vineyards are hotter, flatter and composed of different soils and varieties, such as Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan as well as the ubiquitous Syrah. The resulting wines such as Châteauneuf du Pape, are rich and robust with lots of character and warmth.

Cave de Tain

Established in 1933, Cave de Tain is located at the foot of the Hermitage hillside.

Cave de Tain is the leader of “cru” wines in the northern Rhône Valley in producing 5 famous appellations: Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint Joseph, Cornas and Saint Peray.

The winery owns 28ha of vineyards and has access to more than 1000 hectares through a longterm partnership with farmers in buying their grapes every year, making Cave de Tain the leader in the region from far.

The Rhône Valley is the birthplace of Syrah. It is the only red varietal used for 5 of the “crus” wines produced in the northern Rhône: Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint Joseph, Cornas appellations and in the very north Côte Rôtie.

Douro

Famous as the source of port wine, the Douro is now also renowned for its fine, rich unfortified wines, both red and white.
This is one of the wildest, most mountainous and rugged wine regions of Portugal, cut through in deep twists and turns by the River Douro. Defying gravity on the steep slopes along the banks of the river and its tributaries, the vines are planted in poor, schistous soils.
The Douro region is divided into three sub-regions: from west to east the Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo and Douro Superior.
Port and DOC Douro wines are made only with native grape varieties. The most widely-used ones are Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz & the most widely planted variety Touriga Franca.

Romaneira

One of the historic & largest Quintas of the Douro Valley, with 412 hectares and 3 kilometres of river frontage on the Douro River.
The vineyard has 86 hectares planted, principally with the noble Douro grape varieties of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinto Cão, but also a small proportion of white grapes (Gouveio and Malvasia-Fina), and a few experimental hectares of “exotic” grape varieties such as Syrah and Petit Verdot.
Since 2004, the company is managed by Christian Seely, bringing his experience in Douro Valley at Quinta do Noval but also in Bordeaux at Chateaux Pichon Longueville and Petit Village, as Managing Director of Axa Millesimes.

Marche

Located in central Italy, the region enjoys a very varied landscape going from mountains through hills to beautiful beaches, towering cliffs and clear blue waters.

Marche is best known as a white wine region, although it is also home to some reds of very high quality.

It has been the territory of the Verdicchio grape for more than 600 years. The wines are characterized by lively acidity and subtle herbaceous undertones.

Among the red wines of Marche, the finest are generally made from the Montepulciano grape and/or Sangiovese. The best DOCG is the intensely fragrant Rosso Conero Riserva.

Umani Ronchi

Umani Ronchi is a wine estate in Marche and Abruzzo producing Verdicchio, Montepulciano and others since 1957.

The Estate has a total surface area under vine of 210 hectares nestling between the hills and the sea along the Adriatic coast.

All the vineyards are farmed organically. For the winery, this was a technical decision rather than an ideological one.

In Italy, Umani Ronchi has been recognized “best winery of the Year” 2024.

In Asia, Jorio made its fame thanks to the manga “The Drops of God” by Gambero Rosso.