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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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From the Rising Sun to the Tuscan Hills: The Love Story Behind Bulichella Winery
Situated in the hills of Suvereto, along Tuscany’s Etruscan Coast, is Bulichella Winery — a place where East meets West in a story of love, vision, and harmony with nature. On a recent virtual tasting, we were able to learn the history of Bulichella and its wines by engaging directly with Nicolò Miyakawa, who represents the third generation. Bulichella’s roots trace back to the early 1980’s, when Nicolò’s grandfather, Hideyuki Miyakawa, a Japanese entrepreneur with a deep appreciation for Italy’s culture and landscape, fell in love with Tuscany and with Marisa, a young Italian woman who would later become his partner. Their shared passion for the land and sustainable living…
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Vigneti La Selvanella: Terroir-driven Pioneers in Tuscany
Vigneti La Selvanella, located in Radda in Chianti, the heart of Chianti Classico, is a name synonymous with one of Italy’s most enduring and celebrated single-vineyard wines. With a history that stretches back over half a century, it is clear to see how La Selvanella has become a benchmark for terroir-driven Sangiovese and a pioneer in the concept of Cru wines in Italy. A Vision Ahead of Its Time Established in the 1960s, La Selvanella was among the first Italian vineyards to embrace the philosophy of single-vineyard winemaking—a radical idea at a time when most Chianti producers blended grapes from various locations. The estate spans roughly 50 hectares, making it…
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Wining Hour Feature: Tenuta Sette Cieli
As we know, some of the best wines in all of Italy come from the Tuscan wine region. We may be familiar with the wines of Montalcino, Chianti, Carmignano, San Gimignano, Montelpuciano, Giglio or wines from the Maremma. Then, in the western coast of Tuscany…there’s Bolgheri. This month, I am featuring two beautiful Super Tuscan wines from Tenuta Sette Cieli: Indaco and Scipio. Tenuta Sette Cieli, or Seven Skies Estate, is a boutique winery located between Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci on the west coast of Tuscany. The estate, owned by the Ratti family, sits on 173 acres and is 1300 meters above the Tyrrhenian sea level. Needless to say, the…
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Wining Hour Feature: Castello del Terriccio Con Vento
The Tuscan wine region is known for producing some of the best wines in all of Italy, including the famed Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino. However, there are many notable white wines as well, such as Trebbiano and Vernaccia di San Gimignano. There’s so much more! Therefore, this month, I am featuring an Italian white wine: Con Vento. Con Vento is produced by Castello del Terriccio in Tuscany. Castello del Terriccio is situated along the Tyrrhenian sea, in the coastal area of Maremma, north of Bolgheri. The location of the property is very conducive for wine production due to the characteristics of the sand, silt and clay soils (which…
