Cantina del Taburno, located on the slopes of Mount Taburno, belongs to the “Consorzio Agrario di Benevento” (Agricultural Consortium of Benevento). The Consortium was established in 1901, and it had an extremely important role in the development of agriculture in the Sannio area. The winery was built in 1972 in Foglianise. It is a point of reference for viticulture, due to its philosophy and for its positive impact on the economy of the area. The grapes vinified at Cantina del Taburno are grown in vineyards (of an extension of approximately 600 hectares) standing within the area of the towns on the slopes of Mount Taburno: Foglianise, Torrecuso, Vitulano, Campoli del Monte Taburno, Castelpoto, Apollosa, Bonea, Montesarchio, Ponte, Tocco Caudio, Paupisi and Benevento. The ecosystem of the vines in this area is quite unique due to the type and exposure of the soils, to the particular kind of climate, to the grape varietals and to the agricultural practices. The hills with clayey and Marley-calcareous soils, the mild winters with regular rainfall between October and March, the dry and warms summers concur to create extremely favorable conditions for high quality viticulture.
California
BERTINGA
Bertinga winery is located on an exceptional hillside site in the area Gaiole in Chianti. Founded in 2015, it has already an established pedigree in the wine world. Bertinga is one of the best-known vineyards in the area; it was owned by Castello di Ama for many years and yielded wines of wonderful finesse and power, as well as drinkability and longevity.
Crafting small quantities of terroir-driven single parcel/single vineyard wines, Bertinga uses 100% estate grown and organically farmed fruit out its 16.4-hectare planted to Sangiovese and Merlot, both varietals having played the leading role in making the area famous.
The picture is complemented by a world-class team led by the director Luca Vitiello, the production manager Elisa Ascani and the consulting oenologist Stephan Derenoncourt. To secure an enduring place in the history of Tuscan winemaking is Bertinga’s long term aspiration and the goal to share with all partners worldwide.
VEVEY MARZIANO
Marziano Vevey’s 7,000 square meters of Prié Blanc vineyards are scattered about the slopes of the mountains around Morgex, a small village nestled into a valley at the base of Mont Blanc, at the northwestern edges of Italy, the location of a tiny, but enchanting winemaking appellation. Some vines easy to access, on somewhat flat terrain, while others line terraces clinging tenaciously to the steep slopes that make the work of vine-growers extremely arduous. The vineyards of Morgex are peculiar, planted in the ancient and traditional pergola style. The only vineyards in all of Europe that exist at the astoundingly high altitude of 1200 meters above sea level, the vines are planted low to the ground, hovering on their horizontal trellises in order to soak up the protective heat of the soil, allowing them to survive the rigors of the long winters at such heights.
In 1981, Marziano inherited 2,000 square meters of vines but with great reluctance. His father, Marcello, had tended his vineyards passionately, producing just enough wine to share with friends. At his premature passing, Marziano couldn’t bear to part with his inheritance given its spiritual connection to his beloved father, and so, with great determination, accepted the challenge to pick up where his father had left off. With his wife Judith at his side, he began his adventure as “the accidental winemaker.” Fueled by the tenacity typical of mountain people and taking advantage of every second of his free time (both he and his wife had demanding day jobs), he dedicated himself to the vineyards, gradually expanding them and growing production from 600 bottles per year to the current 5,000 bottles, with the further goal to grow to 12,000, still a tiny quantity in the world of winemaking.
Producing such a wine is never an inexpensive endeavor, given the tiny quantities and lack of mechanical assistance. Nonetheless, this may be one of the best values in the category. We are getting just 56 cases of this vintage, with expectations that Vevey can expand production over the next few years.
VGALA
The Viña Galana winery is located in Chinchilla de Montearagon in Albacete, La Mancha, an area perfectly situated for growing high quality fruit due to the high-elevated plateau on which the vineyards sit. Very cold winters (one of the coldest areas in Spain) and very hot, dry summers help to stress the vines and produce this high quality fruit.
VODAN
The Domaine de Vodanis was created in 2007 by two young friends, Francois Gilet and Nicolas Darracq. Both met at the winemaking school in the Loire Valley in Amboise. After working and training on their own, Francois working at the estate of his cousin Jean Marc Gilet, and Nicolas with another producer in Rochecorbon, they decided to join forces. With the help of Francois’s family, they took over a long-term lease on the Vodanis Vineyard (4, 5Ha) from the famed Huet estate, which had recently changed ownership. During that time, they added another 10 hectares located deeper into the plateau of Rochecordon. From the older vines in Vodanis they produce their still wines, whereas the younger vines in their other parcels, with their slightly higher yields, are perfect for producing the chenin blanc destined for the sparkling Vouvray.
The estate of Domaine de Vodanis is situated on limestone soils around the town of Rochecorbon, with vines averaging around 25 years old. The philosophy of this estate revolves around respecting and observing the rythms of nature, so they use entirely sustainable farming practices, borrowing many techniques from the biodynamic canon. Yields are strictly limited in the vineyards, and they use no chemicals or additives and limit their intervention overall during the winemaking process with the exception of a trace amount of sulphites at bottling. They rack their wines in their ancient and original chalk cellar according to the phases of the moon. Overall, they are dedicated to putting quality first above all.
ZEPH
In 1985, inspired by the pioneering efforts of other Marlborough mavericks, the Glover family converted their farm in Dillons Point to vine. Being a third generation farming family meant that there was a natural ability to see the potential in the land for vineyards and ultimately the production of world-class wine. In 2007 Owen and Wendy Glover’s passion for growing grapes finally overflowed into the desire to release their own brand – Zephyr, inspired by the prevailing wind that cools their vineyards. The wines immediately created a stir in the United Kingdom with Tim Atkin writing “If I were to choose one Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at the moment it would be Zephyr.” With sons Jack and Ben on board (Ben is currently winemaker for the Accolade NZ Group), this family affair continues to attract the attention of sommeliers and the international press. From the value-driven Massey Dacta label to the Zephyr labeled wines, all wines are made from estate-grown fruit grown according the standards of the NZ Sustainable Winegrowing Association. Massanois is proud to represent their wines in the U.S. for the first time!