#WiningHour Feature
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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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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…
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Long Island is Redefining Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc
Long Island may be best known for its beaches and coastal charm, but it has firmly established itself as a premier American wine region. Primarily situated on the North Fork, but with vineyards and over 56 producers across the North and South Forks, this maritime corner of New York is quietly producing some of the most expressive Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc wines in the country. LIWC Blanc & France Summit Long Island Wine Country recently held its first Blanc & France Summit to showcase these two grapes that are performing really well on the North Fork. While Merlot has historically been the most widely planted grape, this event was…
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Bodegas Salentein: Where Art, Architecture, and Altitude Meet
Situated high in Mendoza’s Uco Valley, Bodegas Salentein stands as a striking blend of artistry, architecture, and viticultural excellence. Founded by Dutch entrepreneur, Mijndert Pon, in the late 1990s, Salentein helped put the high-altitude Uco Valley on the global map, crafting wines that reflect the grandeur of the Andes and the precision of modern winemaking. This was a time when the region was still largely unexplored, yet Pon and his pioneering estate invested in land, architecture, and art to create something that went beyond wine. On a recent visit, it was evident that Salentein has turned winemaking into a complete sensory experience — one that celebrates nature, creativity, and culture…
