With a name inspired by the old Italian expression meaning “House of Charm,” Casa di Malia pays tribute to the magic of Treviso, one of the storied towns in the Province of Venice in the heart of the Prosecco appellation. The grapes for Casa di Malia all come from Tenuta Divici, a collection of family-owned vineyards, all of which are certified organic. The estate’s commitment to true Italian Prosecco and honest, unfettered viticulture shines through in their wines: elegant, expressive, and, above all, charming.
California
Club 44
Since the turn of the 20th century, the Côte d’Azur has been the quintessential traveler’s destination. From the beach side resorts of Saint Tropez to the cobblestone streets of Nice and Cannes, the French Riviera continues to give travelers a sense of quaint nostalgia. Inspired by the dreamy imagery of travel’s “golden age,” Club 44 instantly transports you to those care-free days of summer, to those days when shoes were optional and the toughest decision was what to drink with lunch.
Club 44 Rosé was brought to life through a close collaboration between Massanois Imports and Domaine Bagrau. Situated in the heart of the Coteaux d’Aix en Provence AOP, Bagrau was the ideal partner to launch this exciting project with. Dozens of tank samples from different parcels were blended and tasted until our common goal was reached – a harmonious wine that we universally loved and were proud to share with our customers. We truly hope you enjoy Club 44 as much as we do!
BRDC
In the heart of the Loire lies Domaine Chancelle, a vineyard located on the magnificent limestone soil of Turquant, a small village nestled between Saumur and Chinon. Thierry Chancelle is a native of Chinon and Lydie, his wife, a daughter and granddaughter of viticulturists in Saumur. The entire family estate is situated on clayey-limestone slopes which consist of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Chenin. Respectful to tradition, but also innovative, they have the concern to highlight the nuances of their terroir by practicing the most natural viticulture to preserve the soil balance of their plots. Chancelle produces powerful and elegant Cabernet Franc, but the couple has a true passion for Chenin. Early in their careers, Thierry and Lydie confessed their love for the variety and actively campaigned for the recognition of a white Saumur-Champigny appellation.
CARUSOMININI
Located on Sicily’s western-most coast near the town of Marsala, Caruso & Minini boasts a history that harks back to the late 1800’s when Antonio Caruso bought the company to grow grapes for the nearby Marsala factories. The company was passed through subsequent generations until Nino Caruso finally decided to begin making and bottling his own wine in the mid 1900’s. In 2004, Stefano Caruso joined forces with Mario Minini of Lombardy to launch the present-day winery, producing wines from indigenous Sicilian varietals such as Catarratto, Nero d’Avola, Frappato, Inzolia, and Nerello Mascalese. Today, Stefano’s daughter Giovanna works closely with her father to head up this historic winery.
The winery now boasts 120 hectares at 200-400 meters above sea level, including 5 hectares that are farmed organically and dedicated to Giovanna Caruso’s BIO project. Located 20 kilometers from the sea, the area is cooled by strong winds, yet is far enough from them to avoid any potential damage. The area, which was under water millions of years ago, is characterized by its alluvial soil, rich in water and organic substances. Most notable are the large stones called cuti in local dialect. The softball-sized cuti not only impart a distinct minerality on the grapes grown in them, but also soak up heat from the sun which they transfer to the vines, allowing for an earlier ripening of the grapes thus making harvest possible at a stage which will allow for higher acidity in the wines.
ALDO
Poderi Aldo Conterno belongs to an elite group of historical Barolo producers who have truly shaped the history of winemaking in the Langhe.
The essential resource the Wine Atlas of the Langhe writes: “Gran Bussia is universally acknowledged as one of the finest interpretations of Barolo. Created in 1970 from a selection of the estate’s best grapes, Gran Bussia – released only in the best vintages – has shown how it is possible to achieve a perfect marriage of aromas and flavor with unhurried cellaring. Recent tastings of all the vintages have confirmed the staying power of the wine, which exalts the majestic nose of Nebbiolo while offering a palate that becomes increasingly velvety with the passing years.”
The story of Poderi Aldo Conterno is a tale of great passion for winemaking that winds back through the generations and crosses international borders. It starts in the 19th century, when the forefathers of Aldo Conterno emigrated to Argentina. After only a few years they went back to Italy to the small family farm and winery in Monforte d’Alba where they returned to producing the local wine. With their return, the Conterno family increased the production of wine, to be sold in casks not only in Piedmont and Liguria but as far away as the Americas, thanks to a relative who had stayed out in Argentina. At this time, the Conternos felt the need to create a superior Barolo, to be produced exclusively in the best vintages, which saw long vinification periods and was extremely ageworthy. In the 1920s, the first Barolo Riserva was bottled. At the end of the ’30s, the business was handed over to son Giacomo, who continued his father’s tradition with commitment and foresight, while teaching the business to his sons Giovanni and Aldo.
In the mid-’50s, Aldo set out for the United States, hoping to establish a winemaking business in California, with the help of an uncle who lived there. Upon his return to the family business in Italy around 1961, father Giacomo handed over the winery to his sons: it was a thriving and prestigious business, recognized throughout most of the country. Yet, the five-year experience in the United States had kindled within Aldo a desire to establish a business of his own. After working for a considerable time alongside his brother, Aldo bought the “Favot” farm, founding the estate “Poderi Aldo Conterno” in 1969.
The farmhouse is situated in the Bussia hamlet, a section of the Monforte d’Alba village. At present, the farm comprises about 25 hectares of vineyards considered to be some of the very best plots in all of the Langhe. At an altitude of about 400 meters above sea level, the terrain is oriented south-southwest and is composed of gray-brown compact layers of sandy soil alternating with white and bluish calcareous marls, rich with calcium carbonate and iron. All fruit is strictly hand harvested in mid-October. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. The estate’s four Barolos are vinified in the same manner: they are all fermented in horizontal fermenters, “which are different from the more violent rotary fermenters” according to Conterno. Fermentation and maceration lasts 2-3 weeks, depending on the vintage. The wines are then aged exclusively in Slavonian-oak casks ranging from 25 to 75 hectoliters, which are changed every 15-18 years. Selected yeasts are never used. The wines are remarkably approachable and tend to show a lot of sweet fruit in their youths as well as notes of spices and vanilla. These are very clean and polished wines of great elegance. All the other wines are aged in French-oak barriques.
ANTICO FUOCO
Tucked away in the northern Italian province of Veneto, Antico Fuoco is dedicated to making traditional Italian table wines. The winery is a historic property whose name means “ancient fire,” alluding to the times when families gathered around the fire to enjoy food and wine. The Chardonnay, Veronese Rosso, and Moscato from Antico Fuoco remind us of the most essential pleasures in life – family, friends, and a good meal – and are meant to be shared.