Since launching in April, we have been working hard to bring you more classic, native Italian varietals from exceptional family winemakers. During our last 2 tasting expeditions through 2 Italian wine regions we discovered 9 wines from 3 family winemakers that we proudly bring to you. The wines are on the water and destined for Northern California! Here is a short summary of the winemakers and their wines. Over the next few months we will highlight each winemaker and their families in more detail.
Sobrero Francesco
Village: Castiglione Falletto
Appellation: Barolo
Region: Piedmont
Drive 163 km southwest of Milan and you will find Castiglione Falletto, in the heart of the Barolo. We met the Sobrero family on a cold March day, as the vineyards were receiving a dusting of pre-spring snow. Francesco Sobrero, grandfather of the current winemaker Flavio Sobrero, established the winery in 1940. Flavio and sisters, Francesca and Federica, carry on their grandfather’s tradition of producing a number of classic varietal wines from the Langhe sub-region in the Piedmont region. We have chosen to bring their Barolo Riserva “Pernanno”, Dolcetto d’Alba, and Moscato d’Asti over on this boat. Read more at www.sobrerofrancesco.it.
Fontanabianca
Village: Neive
Appellation: Barbaresco
Region: Piedmont
The Langhe is a wonderland of great Italian varietals. You need only drive 23 km northeast from the Barolo, and you are in the heart of the Barbaresco. We found Fontanabianca on a hillside near the picturesque village of Neive, where Aldo Pola and Bruno Ferro carry on the winemaking tradition of their fathers who founded the winery in 1969. Aldo and Bruno produce handcrafted wines that brilliantly capture the perfumes and elegance that is unique to this classic Italian terroir. This shipment will include their Barbaresco “Bordini”, Barbera d’Alba, and Langhe Arneis. Read more at www.fontanabianca.it.
De Angelis Corvi
Village: Controguerra
Appellation: Colline Teramane
Region: Abruzzo
I will always have fond memories of our expedition to the fabulous Abruzzo region (July 14 wine blog), and our meeting with Corrado De Angelis Corvi at his cantina outside the village of Controguerra. The rolling hills around Teramo, set against a backdrop of the Apennines to the west and the turquoise Adriatic to the east is nothing short of spectacular. It’s a grand stage for the vineyards of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Corrado has masterfully captured all the best characteristics of this noble terroir in his wines. We are very excited to introduce you to his Montepulciano d’Abruzzo “Elevito”, named after his parents Elenora and Vito, along with the classics Trebbiano d’Abruzzo and Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo. Read more at www.deangeliscorvi.it.
We feel very fortunate to have completed 2 expeditions in 3 months, added 9 wines and 3 producers to our family, visited 2 new regions, developed lifelong friendships with new families, tasted more great wines than I can count, and created many priceless memories.
I expect the new wines to be available at the end of September. Here’s hoping for favorable winds and calm seas! Cin cin!
Chi cerca trova….Seek and you shall find.
Don Chigazola
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