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Windswept Elegance: Surrau and the Modern Voice of Sardinia
Few wine regions capture the rugged beauty of the Mediterranean quite like Sardinia. Shaped by centuries of seafaring cultures, ancient traditions, and dramatic landscapes, the island has emerged as one of Italy’s most compelling wine destinations. Among its leading producers, Vigne Surrau has become a standard-bearer for modern Sardinian winemaking, crafting wines that honor indigenous varieties while expressing the unique character of Gallura. Located near the glamorous Costa Smeralda in northeastern Sardinia, Surrau sits in the heart of Gallura, a region renowned for its granite soils, constant maritime winds, and sun-drenched vineyards. Here, the landscape is both wild and beautiful. Rolling hills dotted with cork oak forests and Mediterranean scrub…
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Bolgheri Refined: The Contemporary Precision of Argentiera
In a region celebrated for powerful Super Tuscans and internationally acclaimed Bordeaux blends, Tenuta Argentiera has quietly forged a distinctive identity of its own. Situated at the southern edge of Bolgheri, the estate has become synonymous with a style that marries depth and concentration with remarkable precision and elegance. It is a house that captures the modern spirit of Bolgheri, as wines are shaped not by excess, but by balance, detail, and a profound sense of place. I recently joined a virtual tasting hosted by Argentiera and led by winemaker Nicolò Carrara, gaining deeper insight into the winery’s philosophy while sampling the newest vintages. Since its establishment and subsequent development…
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Returning to Casanova di Neri-A Renewed Look at One of Montalcino’s Defining Estates
Some wineries leave a lasting impression long after the final sip. Casanova di Neri is one of them, as this producer has helped define the modern identity of Brunello while preserving its deep cultural roots. I first visited the estate nearly 10 years ago, and while the wines were memorable, it was the setting itself that lingered in my mind—a landscape of rolling hills, vineyards stretching toward the horizon, and a palpable sense of purpose. Returning recently, I found much had changed and yet everything felt remarkably familiar. Since it was founded in 1971 by Giovanni Neri, the estate remains deeply rooted in the same vision that has guided it…
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Sallier de la Tour: A Historic Sicilian Estate Committed to Sustainability
History of the Estate Sallier de La Tour, home to the La Monaca winery, near Palermo, Sicily, traces its origins to 1909. The history is most fascinating. Its story intertwined with another influential Sicilian wine family in 1956, when Paolo Sallier de La Tour married Costanza Tasca d’Almerita. The winery historically cultivated Sicilia’s native grape varieties, as well as carefully selected international grapes. However, Filiberto, Paolo’s son, later steered the estate toward exploring the potential of Syrah in the island’s unique terroir. In 2008, the estate became part of the broader holdings of the historic Tasca d’Almerita family, which took stewardship of the property. Since then, the estate has balanced noble…
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From Breganze with Precision: The Wines of Maculan
In the hills of Breganze, in Italy’s Veneto region, Maculan has built a reputation rooted in precision, restraint, and deep respect for place. The winery’s story began in 1947, when Giovanni Maculan founded the estate with a focus on quality viticulture in a region better known at the time for quantity. Over the decades, the family transformed the estate into one of Veneto’s most respected producers, guided today by a philosophy that favors clarity of fruit, thoughtful blending, and wines that reflect both tradition and modern refinement. All of Maculan’s vineyards are located in the province of Vicenza, in the Breganze DOC zone. Breganze’s rolling landscape, marked by volcanic and…
