Dry

About the Winery

Cantina Cenci

The Cenci Family has been dedicated to viticulture for over four generations, continuing to cultivate the vine with deep respect for the traditions and unique characteristics of the land once owned by the Olivetan monks. In the early 1950s, Mario—an enlightened and forward-thinking agricultural expert, and grandfather of Giovanni—selected clones of Grechetto, Sangiovese, and Malvasia from vines once cultivated by the Olivetan monks and traditionally grown intertwined with mulberry trees. He planted the first vineyards of the estate, and the wines made from those grapes were of such outstanding quality that he secured a long-term contract to supply Grechetto and Sangiovese in traditional flasks to the restaurant of a prestigious hotel in Perugia.

In 2012, following two years of renovation of the farmhouse, the new winery was inaugurated under the guidance of Mario Cenci, architect and brother of Giovanni. Thanks to cutting-edge equipment and winemaking techniques—combined with deep respect for tradition and the passionate leadership of Giovanni Cenci (viticulturist, enologist, food biotechnologist, and sommelier)—Cantina Cenci today produces wines appreciated by a niche audience of expert consumers.

The perfect balance between tradition and innovation has shaped a strong and distinctive brand identity.

Peninsula Vinicultores

Península Vinicultores was founded by two Masters of Wine: Andreas Kubach MW, leads production and Sam Harrop MW directs viticulture. Andreas, raised in Brazil and Spain by German parents, and Sam, a native New Zealander, bring a new-wave, international perspective to the Spanish wine landscape. Andreas believes that in the past century, and notably post-industrialization, Spanish producers have prioritized wines of style, focusing on winemaking and aging, rather than wines of place. This creates what he calls a “ceiling of interest” for terroir. Inspired to change this narrative, he is focusing on small, old-vine plots all over Spain that were either formerly abandoned or are at risk of being ripped out for to plant more lucrative cash crops. The wines also champion local, indigenous varieties traditional to their respective regions and best express site.

Štekar

The Štekar family has been growing grapes in Goriska Brda since 1985. With 6 acres of vines planted in the stunning hills of western Slovenia, along with cherry orchards, Jure Štekar has committed to make wine the way his grandfather Emil taught his father: respecting tradition and avoiding invasive technologies.

Certified organic since 2006, Jure likes to play with long macerations, spontaneous fermentations and tiny SO2 amounts. His goal is to produce genuine wines that tell the story of his land and family.

About the Winery

Domaine Peter Sichel

Tucked away in a hidden valley in a remote corner of the Languedoc-Roussillon lies a truly special place: the village of Cucugnan. Historically, there was much wine produced here, given its isolated location, but gradually the local people moved away to the towns. There are now just 130 people living in the village. As the vineyards were left mostly abandoned, the local flora and fauna were permitted to thrive. Cucugnan became a unique area, full of biodiversity, which shines through in the rare plants and flowers that grow there today.

Peter Sichel (of the Bordeaux négociant family) first discovered this valley on a road trip with a friend in the 1960s. He was so spellbound by the place that he bought a house there and, in 1988, planted a vineyard. The project grew, albeit slowly, but the arrival of Peter’s thoughtful and environmentally inspired grandson, Alexander Sichel, has turned the Domaine Peter Sichel project completely around.

Since 2019, Alexander has converted the estate to organics and biodynamics, achieving organic certification in 2022. Furthermore, he is committed to supporting polyculture in and around the vineyards, even enlisting the help of a PhD programme from a Dutch university to identify the incredible array of plant life in the vineyard.

Alexander’s grandfather planted the vines between 30-40 years old. Parcels of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Roussanne lie mostly on the best slopes of the valley. Starting from 350-500 metres’ altitude, these slopes have very little topsoil; the roots go almost straight into the bedrock. The viticultural team here has done much work to focus on the unique characteristics of each parcel to express the terroir of this stunning valley in the most authentic way.