Italy is one of the largest wine producing countries, and has the third most land under vine after France and Spain. Wine has been made in Italy for at least 4,000 years, with vines growing and thriving in all corners of the country. When the Greeks arrived in Italy in 8th century BC, they even named the country Oenotria, which means 'the land of wine'! Discover the many expressions of Italian wines, from indigenous grapes to international varieties, and experience what makes these wines special.
21 products
21 products
- Red Wine
- Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalese
- Sustainable, Volcanic
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 14.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Azienda Agricola Tornatore
Out of a Sicilian family heritage that traces back to the 17th century, the Tornatore’s Mount Etna wine ventures began in 1865. Today the family’s operations are headed by Giuseppe Tornatore, a businessman whose expertise led to the acquisition of some of the region’s finest north-facing vineyards in the early 2000’s. That heritage and the Tornatore’s profound respect and understanding of the land is showcased in wines that capture the essence of Etna, deftly balancing concentrated flavors, complexity, freshness and refinement.
The company lies in the northern side of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. The soils have volcanic origin and were created through the disintegration of lava, ash and stones from previous volcanic eruptions. The climate on the northern side of the Etna is characterized by mild temperatures, and more rain fall reflecting the influence of the Volcano. The combination of soil, climate and the skill of the winemakers, have made the northern slope of Etna an ideal area for the production of high-quality wines. “Our vineyards and our winery are only a few kilometers from our family home. Our entire family is rooted there. We have the greatest respect for this region, and we believe we have a responsibility to be stewards of Etna and to reflect its distinct character in our wines.” - Giuseppe Tornatore
Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 Points - John Szabo, MS
2022 yielded a very pretty, fresh and lively Etna Rosso from Tornatore, with classic nerello mascalese flavours of smoky strawberry and raspberry, savoury herbs and very subtle, quality wood influence. Tannins are grainy in the Etna style and acids are properly firm-fresh, while density and intensity are impressive, especially considering the price. A first class value I have to say, a perfect entry point to exploring the wines of the volcano at a very attractive price - at twice the price I would think it's fair. Drink or hold 2-4 years; a terrific vintage. Tasted November 2025.
91 points - Michael Godel
Straight shooter this Etna Rosso, accessible and amenable to all, now and for all the right reasons. Fruit first, ripe and delicious, aromatically charged and energizing the entirety of the wine. Rosso for Rosso’s sake, crunchy and palatable with great toothsome character, A guarantee and stamp of quality in the most professional of Etna Rosso ways. Unwavering consistency from Tornatore. Drink 2025-2028. Tasted May 2025.
91 points - David Lawrason
This is a typically pale nerello mascalese from the north slope of volcanic Mt. Etna. The nose nicely combines sour cherry fruit with evergreen and spice almost vermouth botanicals. It is light bodied, quite warm (14% abv) with some minerality and drying, slightly crusty tannin. The length is very good to excellent. This fairly new producer is also one of the larger, and now becoming fairly commonly seen in Canada. Tasted November 2025
- White Wine
- Garganega
- Organic, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Azienda Agricola Tessari
The Tessari family have Soave in their blood. For three generations they have been extracting delectable wine from the well cared for vines of their Monteforte d’Alpone vineyards. With only a little over a hectare of Garganega grapes in the prestigious volcanic solis of Soave Classico, Antonio Tessari hand dug his cellar back in 1933 and started the legacy that continues today with his grandchildren: Germano, Antonio and Cornelia.
From vineyard to bottle, these three siblings oversee it all; with unwavering respect for tradition, quality and passion for the art of winemaking. The volcanic soils of the hillside are rich with basaltic rocks and clays, which guarantees the health of the plant and the promotes the mineral and floral aromas that are characteristic of the Garganega grape. Truly artisanal wine making at it’s best.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 points (2021) - David Lawrason
This shows the vivid yellow colour I expect from good Soave. It also shows the complex, detailed nose honeysuckle, lemon blossom, camomile and almost tropical peach/mango fruit. It is mid-weight, rich and viscous yet shows some enlivening freshness, spritz and tenderness at the same time. Slightly bitter and lemony on the finish. The length is excellent. Tasted January 2023.
90 points (2021) - Michael Godel
The latest volcanically driven garganega from the Tessari family is a child of a promising vintage full of sun, fun and support. The sky is the limit for just how well this will drink and please. It is in fact bottled salty and fruit crunchy deliciousness and why shouldn’t it be? Made simply with tradition in mind, basalt in pocket and all the modern facility made available. Citrus and nectarine, basil and Maldon salt. Lime all over the finish. Spot on. Drink 2023-2025. Tasted January 2023.
4 Stars (2022)- Sara d'Amato
Nervy and salty with a dash of elderflower and pear, this stylish Soave Classico is a favourite of restauranteurs. Richly textured with notes of apple and lemon zest, salt and lime. Quite chalky and dry, with a pleasant degree of roundness despite the moderate level of alcohol. Nicely balanced with a pleasant finish of good length. Drink now. Tasted January 2023.
- White Wine
- Carricante
- Sustainable, Volcanic
- Dry
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Azienda Agricola Tornatore
Out of a Sicilian family heritage that traces back to the 17th century, the Tornatore’s Mount Etna wine ventures began in 1865. Today the family’s operations are headed by Giuseppe Tornatore, a businessman whose expertise led to the acquisition of some of the region’s finest north-facing vineyards in the early 2000’s. That heritage and the Tornatore’s profound respect and understanding of the land is showcased in wines that capture the essence of Etna, deftly balancing concentrated flavors, complexity, freshness and refinement.
The company lies in the northern side of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. The soils have volcanic origin and were created through the disintegration of lava, ash and stones from previous volcanic eruptions. The climate on the northern side of the Etna is characterized by mild temperatures, and more rain fall reflecting the influence of the Volcano. The combination of soil, climate and the skill of the winemakers, have made the northern slope of Etna an ideal area for the production of high-quality wines. “Our vineyards and our winery are only a few kilometers from our family home. Our entire family is rooted there. We have the greatest respect for this region, and we believe we have a responsibility to be stewards of Etna and to reflect its distinct character in our wines.” - Giuseppe Tornatore
Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 points - Michael Godel
Tornatore has simply, unequivocally and decidedly defined the genre that is Etna Bianco for world markets at an affordable price. The 2023 vintage was not so easy to do this way because mildew pressure and low yields were the obstacle. And yet like so many the acids are intense to insure true Etna mountain spirit is elevated as it needs be. This does precisely what wants and needs for a $25-30 Bianco. All must partake and become believers in what is possible. Drink 2024-2027. Tasted September 2024.
90 points - John Szabo, MS
Tornatore's 2023 entry point Bianco is clean, fresh, lively, and lightly smoky, with everything in place, citric, white fruit-inflected, with no evident wood. The palate is lean, tight, tart, riveted together by pointy acids in a wine lover's expression. Some will find it austere, but I appreciate the tight framing. Best from 2025 - a wine with character and personality. Tasted September 2024.
- Rosé Wine
- Nerello Mascalese
- Sustainable, Volcanic
- Dry
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Azienda Agricola Tornatore
Out of a Sicilian family heritage that traces back to the 17th century, the Tornatore’s Mount Etna wine ventures began in 1865. Today the family’s operations are headed by Giuseppe Tornatore, a businessman whose expertise led to the acquisition of some of the region’s finest north-facing vineyards in the early 2000’s. That heritage and the Tornatore’s profound respect and understanding of the land is showcased in wines that capture the essence of Etna, deftly balancing concentrated flavors, complexity, freshness and refinement.
The company lies in the northern side of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. The soils have volcanic origin and were created through the disintegration of lava, ash and stones from previous volcanic eruptions. The climate on the northern side of the Etna is characterized by mild temperatures, and more rain fall reflecting the influence of the Volcano. The combination of soil, climate and the skill of the winemakers, have made the northern slope of Etna an ideal area for the production of high-quality wines. “Our vineyards and our winery are only a few kilometers from our family home. Our entire family is rooted there. We have the greatest respect for this region, and we believe we have a responsibility to be stewards of Etna and to reflect its distinct character in our wines.” - Giuseppe Tornatore
Press Reviews
WineAlign
92 points (2021) - Michael Godel
This nerello mascalese Rosato could never be accused of acting out a lean and pale Provençal play but at first look could be imagined as another French style, that being Tavel. Candy apple or Bing cherry hued and clearly destined to live a life of fleshy, pulpy and gloriously textured fruit. Direct pressing and no maceration brings about all the red fruits imaginable, including something akin to northerly Italian Corbezzolo fruit, here in flavours like a cross between a strawberry and a watermelon. Delectable stuff with streaks of basaltic salinity and botanical herbs. Wild ones, like fennel, ferula and floral ginestra. Drink 2023-2025. Tasted June 2023.
- White Wine
- Garganega
- Organic, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Azienda Agricola Tessari
The Tessari family have Soave in their blood. For three generations they have been extracting delectable wine from the well cared for vines of their Monteforte d’Alpone vineyards. With only a little over a hectare of Garganega grapes in the prestigious volcanic solis of Soave Classico, Antonio Tessari hand dug his cellar back in 1933 and started the legacy that continues today with his grandchildren: Germano, Antonio and Cornelia.
From vineyard to bottle, these three siblings oversee it all; with unwavering respect for tradition, quality and passion for the art of winemaking. The volcanic soils of the hillside are rich with basaltic rocks and clays, which guarantees the health of the plant and the promotes the mineral and floral aromas that are characteristic of the Garganega grape. Truly artisanal wine making at it’s best.
Press Reviews
WineAlign
94 points (2020) - Michael Godel
Bine Longhe Costalta Soave Superiore resides at the pinnacle for Tesari with this ode to Cornelia, a garganega of the finest volcanic order and ilk. Imagine everything you’ve ever tasted in this family’s portfolio, exaggerate and hyperbolize the accents, aromatics and flavours, recalibrate your senses and take it all in. The most flesh thickens and abounds, a facsimile of lava energy infiltrates and the wine simply coats, lavishes and collates in the mouth. Feel is everything, emotion surely a part and gratitude overflows. Soave par excellence. Drink 2022-2024. Tasted June 2022.
93 points (2020) - David Lawrason
This is a lovely, rich and engaging Soave 100% from the garganega grape. It pours pale yellow-gold. The nose is not powerful but it is complex with apricot, persimmon, honeysuckle and warmed almond aromas. It is medium-full bodied, dry, warm and rich with some bitterness, a hint of tannin and heat on the finish. The length is excellent.
92 points (2020) - John Szabo, MS
Tessari's "long rows" (Bine Longhe) from the Costalta Cru is a ripe and broad, nicely concentrated wine in the ripe and warm 2020 vintage, creamy and layered, with an appealing range of white and yellow-fleshed orchard fruit, shifting into tropical nuances. I like the sapid and saline quality, the lingering finish. Quality wine, deep and concentrated, with scope to continue evolving for another half-dozen or more years - there's genuine substance here. Best after 2024. Tasted June 2022.
- Sparkling Wine, White Wine
- Garganega
- Organic, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
About the Winery
Azienda Agricola Tessari
The Tessari family have Soave in their blood. For three generations they have been extracting delectable wine from the well cared for vines of their Monteforte d’Alpone vineyards. With only a little over a hectare of Garganega grapes in the prestigious volcanic solis of Soave Classico, Antonio Tessari hand dug his cellar back in 1933 and started the legacy that continues today with his grandchildren: Germano, Antonio and Cornelia.
From vineyard to bottle, these three siblings oversee it all; with unwavering respect for tradition, quality and passion for the art of winemaking. The volcanic soils of the hillside are rich with basaltic rocks and clays, which guarantees the health of the plant and the promotes the mineral and floral aromas that are characteristic of the Garganega grape. Truly artisanal wine making at it’s best.
Press Reviews
WineAlign
91 points (2020) - David Lawrason
This is a very complete and well balanced sparkler, unusually made from the garganega grape of the Soave region. It pours fairly deep lemon gold. The nose is ripe peach, lemon-lime, subtle toast and mustard flower. It is medium bodied, fresh, just off-dry and very well balanced, with a dry, slightly pithy finish. Very complete, focused and well balanced. The length is excellent. Tasted June 2022
90 points (2020)- Michael Godel
Arcerus in garganega by Tessari from volcanic Soave lands (hills of Monteforte d’Alpone) is bottled under mushroom cork and cage, as opposed to crown cap in the spousal Avus. In this case Arcerus represents an ancient toponym linked to the tradition and history of Brognoligo. While Avus is “frizzante” Arcerus is “Extra Brut,” of higher residual sugar, less elemental and mineral feel, more flesh and delicacy in design. A much more festive and party favour of a sparkling wine, rich and luxurious in many ways. Flavour abounds yet it’s simpler and easier to understand than the introverted Avus. Which camp are you in? Drink 2022-2024. Tasted June 2022.
90 points (2020) - John Szabo, MS
A pure garganega-based sparkling from Tessari, quite ripe and fruity per the 2020 vintage, forward and ready to go, with moderate autolysis character. I like the texture and acids, the juiciness and generosity, the integrated effervescence, though at this price I'd hope for a little more classic method character - hopefully there are still some undisgorged bottles in the cellar for later release. Fruit also has a lightly oxidative/tropical character. As it stands, this is certainly enjoyable and well made wine. Tasted June 2022.