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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…
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Aia Vecchia: A Modern Voice Defining Coastal Tuscany
Founded by the Pellegrini family in the mid-1990’s, Aia Vecchia is a family-owned Tuscan estate that has a strong reputation for producing expressive, terroir-driven wines from Italy’s coastal regions. Today, Aia Vecchia is managed by Elia Pellegrini, 4th generation owner and vintner. The estate takes its name from an old building on their property, symbolizing both heritage and place. With roughly 112 acres of vineyards split between Bolgheri and Maremma, the estate honors the region’s deep agricultural tradition with a modern, detail-focused approach to viticulture and winemaking, while capturing the essence of Tuscany’s maritime landscapes. Along with Aia Vecchia’s agronomist, Daniel Schuster, and the expertise of Hungarian winemaker, Tibor Gal,…
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Brunello with Soul: Patrizia Cencioni’s Iconic Wines from Montalcino
At this year’s Benvenuto Brunello event, I had the opportunity to taste the highly anticipated 2021 vintage ahead of its official release—an early glimpse into what is already being discussed as a remarkable year for Montalcino. Among the many compelling wines, reconnecting with the portfolio of Azienda Agricola Patrizia Cencioni felt particularly meaningful, especially the standout Ofelio Brunello di Montalcino, which once again commanded attention for its depth and composure. Having visited the estate some time ago, I realized I never fully shared that experience. This recent tasting served as the perfect catalyst to revisit the winery’s story and finally bring that long-overdue reflection to light. Visiting Patrizia Cencioni When…
