10 products
10 products
- White Wine
- Carricante
- Sustainable, Volcanic Vines
- 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.
- White Wine
- Garganega
- Organic, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic Vines
- 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
- Olaszrizling, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
- Organic, Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic Vines
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 12% alc./vol
About the Winery
Gilvesy Pincészet
Hungarian expat Róbert Gilvesy moved back to his homeland from Canada, and began building the Gilvesy winemaking empire on the former Esterházy estate on Szent György Hill. Thanks to years of hard work, the Hegymagas-based facility now includes a modern building complex and about 13 hectares of vineyards, in addition to being the home of the family. The area is shaped by 6 million years old volcanoes, where indigenous and international varieties grow organically.
Robert’s absolute admiration for nature and the terroir translates into an immense respect for the environment. By farming using organic practices, the soils and the vines stay healthy. In the winery, by letting nature take its course without controlling the processes, and using local resources, such as Hungarian oak barrels, Gilvesy promotes and protects the Balaton region.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 Points - John Szabo, MS
Shifted into the botanical spectrum, Gilvesy's entry-level Bohém — a spontaneously fermented blend of olaszrizling, riesling, pinot gris and sauvignon blanc from the volcanic soils of Szent György-hegy, aged six months on lees in stainless — is now in a stage of ideal enjoyment, with creamy acids and tonic, orange peel and lemon zest flavours. I like the pleasant bitterness and the lingering finish. Chill and go. Tasted May 2026. Previous: Gilvesy's estate white blend delivers a fleshy and fruity-savoury expression with notable saltiness, not an easy and simple, fruity entry cuvée by any means, but a wine of real substance and volcanic expression, what we'd call minerality, more serious than the modest price suggests. Length, too, is highly impressive in the category. A sharp buy to be sure. Tasted January 2026.
91 points - David Lawrason
Hungarian expat Róbert Gilvesy moved back to his homeland from Canada, and began building on the former Esterházy estate on Szent György Hill. This is an effective, different and interesting blend of olaszrizling, pinot gris, riesling and sauvignon blanc. It pours yellow-gold. The nose is lifted with a waxy note, dried flower, caraway and raw turnip. It is light to mid-weight, fresh and balanced with good acidity with refreshing CO2. The root veg flaovurs proceed on the palate. Slightly bitter and pithy citrus on the finish. Excellent length. Tasted May 2026
90 points - Megha Jandhyala S.J.D., DipWSET
A blend of olasrizling, rajnai riesling, and sauvignon blanc, grown in the volcanic soils of Szent György-hegy in the Badacsony wine region of Hungary. It is fresh and zest, with notes of lemons, orange pith, crunchy apples, and crisp pears. It feels refreshing on the palate, with some dissolved carbon dioxide and bright acidity. I like the long, sweet citrus and tonic-infused finish. Tasted May 2026.
- White Wine
- Listán Blanco
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic Vines
- Dry
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Viñátigo
Juan Jesús is a proud native of Tenerife and the fourth generation of growers. During the thirty years that he's overseen Bodegas Viñátigo, he has considerably increased its holdings, planting varieties that he and his team recuperated from near extinction.
Driven by passion and love for his homeland, Juan decided to revive and work to save the native grape varieties that were brought to the Canary Islands by the conquers back in the 15th century and that had survived on the islands for centuries. He is a hero of contemporary Canarian viticulture. The wealth of knowledge that his work has created has helped underpin the significant expansion of wine styles that are now available throughout the archipelago, and his wines have achieved a calibre of class that many doubted the Canaries would ever produce again. (The Epic Wines of the Canary Islands, written by Santo Bains).
Press Reviews
Wine Align
92 points (2021) - David Lawrason
From high altitude volcanic-soiled vineyards in the Canary Islands this is from the local listan grape, also known as palomino fina, related to the white grape grown in Jerez to make sherry. It is light to medium bodied, fresh and lively with trace minerality. Not tart acidity but enough to keep it in ballast. The fruit is pear, guava, lemon amid the reductive mineral notes, plus a distinct sourdough yeastiness on the nose that immediately recalled fino sherry. The length is excellent. Tasted December 2022.
91 points (2021) - Michael Godel
Viñátigo Listán Blanco 2021 initially emits this unusually funky and exotic perfume of wet basalt or concrete mixed with washed manchego cheese rind but quickly comes together as one inviting scent. Preps the palate for wanting a taste to see what comes next and the clarity shines right away, of gemstones and the salty sweat of craggy wet stones. There is some orchard fruit but what matters most is the saline-mineral comport. It's like a compôte of imagination built on fruit and volcanics melted into a salad that spoons straight on down. Bloody delicious and well-made. Drink 2023-2027. Tasted December 2022.
91 points (2021) - John Szabo, MS
2021 marks another fine vintage for this reliably intriguing and interesting, complex wine from own-rooted listán blanco (aka palomino fino), quite ripe, showing pineapple and quince, baked apple and apple blossom flavours, less immediately flinty-reductive than the previous vintage and with more fruit. The palate is mid-weight and creamy, with balanced acids and very good length. Really delicious now, though should continue to gain in non-fruit complexity over the next 1-3 years, or hold into the mid-'20s. Tasted December 2022.
- White Wine
- Furmint, Olaszrizling, Riesling
- Organic, Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic Vines
- Residual Sugar: 2 g/l
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
Gilvesy George Cuvée 2022
Lake Balaton, Hungary
Regular price $33.95per bottle
($455.40per case)12 bottles per case
Zesty & Aromatic
Gilvesy winery is located in the outskirts of Lake Balaton, near an ancient dormant volcano, in Hungary. Hungarian expat Robert Gilvesy moved back to his homeland from Canada to start this exciting project involving native grape varieties and volcanic soils.
A blend of organically grown Riesling, Olaszrizling and Furmint, three varieties that have existed in the wine region for a long time. In style, it's a rich, flavoursome wine with explosive aromatics. This is what a classic Mount Saint George wine is like: modern and spiced up with volcanic notes.
It's delicious when paired with summer meals: fresh salads dressed with dried fruits such as cranberries and walnuts, grilled fish with potatoes and zesty ceviches.
About the Winery
Gilvesy Pincészet
Hungarian expat Róbert Gilvesy moved back to his homeland from Canada, and began building the Gilvesy winemaking empire on the former Esterházy estate on Szent György Hill. Thanks to years of hard work, the Hegymagas-based facility now includes a modern building complex and about 13 hectares of vineyards, in addition to being the home of the family. The area is shaped by 6 million years old volcanoes, where indigenous and international varieties grow organically.
Robert’s absolute admiration for nature and the terroir translates into an immense respect for the environment. By farming using organic practices, the soils and the vines stay healthy. In the winery, by letting nature take its course without controlling the processes, and using local resources, such as Hungarian oak barrels, Gilvesy promotes and protects the Balaton region.
Press Reviews
WineAlign
91 Points - John Szabo, MS
Gilvesy's regionally representative blend of Furmint, Riesling, and Olaszrizling, named for the volcano on which the grapes are grown (Szent György-hegy, or Mt. St. George), is a fine and clean, pure and crystalline wine in 2022, with crunchy green apple and white fleshed orchard fruit flavours leading. Acids are crisp and crunchy, and the finish lingers impressively. A really sharp value in the end, also a fine volcanic essence from Szt. György. Drink or hold up to 3-4 years. Tasted April 2024.
- White Wine
- Listán Blanco
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic Vines
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13% alc./vol
Viñátigo Vino de Parcela Lomo de La Era 2023
Canary Islands, Spain
Regular price $69.95per bottle
($419.70per case)6 bottles per case
Mineral & Vibrant
Juan Jesús, who is a 4th generation winemaker, founded Viñátigo in 1990 and has worked tirelessly since then identifying, recuperating the native grapes of the Canary Islands. Today, his son Jorge is slowly taking over the viticulture and winemaking of Viñátigo, and is focusing on crafting wines from exceptional micro-vineyards in the north-face of Tenerife. Before settling down in his home-island, Jorge worked alongside great international winemakers in Chile, Argentina and Burgundy.
The Lomo de la Era vineyard is situated in the Paraje de la Cruz Santa, located on the west side of La Orotava valley. The vines are trained in the traditional cordon trenzado system, and can extend up to five meters long. At an altitude of 500 meters above sea level, the site benefits from the direct influence of the trade winds that arrive from the North Atlantic.
Five hundred thousand years ago, the collapse of the Cañadas Edifice caused a gravitational landslide that created La Orotava valley. The west side of the valley is well known for producing great white wines, due to presence of stonier soils than those in the central and eastern parts of the valley.
Pre-fermentative oxidation. Not controlled-temperature fermentation. Fermented and aged for nine months in amphora. No racking.
Lomo de la Era is very dry and textured with dusty salinity, vibrant fruits, with a honeyed character, and a little aromatic blast of its volcanic origins.
About the Winery
Viñátigo
Juan Jesús is a proud native of Tenerife and the fourth generation of growers. During the thirty years that he's overseen Bodegas Viñátigo, he has considerably increased its holdings, planting varieties that he and his team recuperated from near extinction.
Driven by passion and love for his homeland, Juan decided to revive and work to save the native grape varieties that were brought to the Canary Islands by the conquers back in the 15th century and that had survived on the islands for centuries. He is a hero of contemporary Canarian viticulture. The wealth of knowledge that his work has created has helped underpin the significant expansion of wine styles that are now available throughout the archipelago, and his wines have achieved a calibre of class that many doubted the Canaries would ever produce again. (The Epic Wines of the Canary Islands, written by Santo Bains).
Press Reviews
Robert Parker
93 points
The 2022 Lomo de la Era, another of the new single-vineyard certified wines from the DOP Islas Canarias, Tenerife appellation, was produced with Listán Blanco grapes, in this case from a cordón trenzado plot of vines in the western part of the Orotava Valley on sandy, silty and basalt soils. The juice from the pressing with part of the stems was let to settle and fermented with indigenous yeasts in concrete, where the wine matured with static lees (not stirred) for nine months. It has moderate ripeness and alcohol (12%) with a mixture of floral, fruit and soil notes and an austere palate with dusty minerality, vibrant and pungent flavors and a clean finish. 2,320 bottles were filled in July 2023.
Viñátigo, the project from Juan Jesús Méndez, was one of the pioneers of the local varieties in the Canary Islands, where he's been recovering forgotten varieties since 1990. He's now joined by his son Jorge, who is giving a more modern profile to the wines. In 2017, there was a new range of single-vineyard and lieu-dit wines that go one step beyond in 2022, with three new whites from the north of Tenerife. They are all produced with Listán Blanco from different zones and altitudes, climates and soils. They have 12 hectares of vines in the north and northeast of Tenerife, and their production averages 150,000 bottles per year.
Published: Nov 30, 2023
- White Wine
- Listán Blanco
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic Vines
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13% alc./vol
Viñátigo Vino de Parcela Camino de La Peña 2022
Canary Islands, Spain
Regular price $69.95per bottle
($419.70per case)6 bottles per case
Mineral & Vibrant
Juan Jesús, who is a 4th generation winemaker, founded Viñátigo in 1990 and has worked tirelessly since then identifying, recuperating the native grapes of the Canary Islands. Today, his son Jorge is slowly taking over the viticulture and winemaking of Viñátigo, and is focusing on crafting wines from exceptional micro-vineyards in the north-face of Tenerife. Before settling down in his home-island, Jorge worked alongside great international winemakers in Chile, Argentina and Burgundy.
An island within an island, Paraje La Peña is situated in the highlands of Icod de los Vinos, nestled in a narrow ravine formed by the volcanic eruptions of Mount Teide to the north over the last two thousand years. For over thirty years, we have cultivated this isolated vineyard, protected from the rest of the island by a dense, green pine forest.
The vines, trained in parrales, cling to the volcanic walls of the ravine. This training method, a direct influence of the Portuguese settlers who established themselves in the northeastern part of Tenerife in the 16th century, serves as a testament to the region's rich cultural heritage.
At about 450 meters above sea level and with direct exposure to the trade winds, this wine offers surprising freshness and acidity.
Pre-fermentative oxidation. Not controlled-temperature fermentation. Fermented and aged in amphora. All the whites age statically. Barely any racking at all.
Yellow fruit, plums and peach, and a gentle and polished palate with soft acidity and a bitter twist in the finish. This wine has tonnes of tahini, almond paste, smoked sea salt and pine. Tight on the nose explosive on palate with a slight burgundy feeling.
About the Winery
Viñátigo
Juan Jesús is a proud native of Tenerife and the fourth generation of growers. During the thirty years that he's overseen Bodegas Viñátigo, he has considerably increased its holdings, planting varieties that he and his team recuperated from near extinction.
Driven by passion and love for his homeland, Juan decided to revive and work to save the native grape varieties that were brought to the Canary Islands by the conquers back in the 15th century and that had survived on the islands for centuries. He is a hero of contemporary Canarian viticulture. The wealth of knowledge that his work has created has helped underpin the significant expansion of wine styles that are now available throughout the archipelago, and his wines have achieved a calibre of class that many doubted the Canaries would ever produce again. (The Epic Wines of the Canary Islands, written by Santo Bains).
Press Reviews
Robert Parker
92 points
The 2022 Camino de La Peña is one of the new single-vineyard certified wines from the DOP Islas Canarias, Tenerife appellation. It was produced with Listán Blanco grapes from a plot of vines in Altos de Icod in the Icod Valley in the northeast of Tenerife and pruned in the traditional parral, or pergola, way on terraces on young volcanic (basalt) soils with sand and minerals. The juice from the pressing with part of the stems was let to settle and fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel, where the wine matured with static lees (not stirred) for nine months. Despite the moderate 12.7% alcohol, this has a riper nose than the other whites, with notes of yellow fruit, plums and peach, and a gentle and polished palate with soft acidity and a bitter twist in the finish. 2,835 bottles were filled in August 2023.
Viñátigo, the project from Juan Jesús Méndez, was one of the pioneers of the local varieties in the Canary Islands, where he's been recovering forgotten varieties since 1990. He's now joined by his son Jorge, who is giving a more modern profile to the wines. In 2017, there was a new range of single-vineyard and lieu-dit wines that go one step beyond in 2022, with three new whites from the north of Tenerife. They are all produced with Listán Blanco from different zones and altitudes, climates and soils. They have 12 hectares of vines in the north and northeast of Tenerife, and their production averages 150,000 bottles per year.
Published: Nov 30, 2023
- White Wine
- Chardonnay
- Sustainable, Volcanic Vines
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 2.00 g/l
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.00% alc./vol
About the Winery
Vinos Baettig
Francisco Baettig and Carlos de Carlos have been friends for more than 20 years and share a passion for high-quality wines that are genuine and connected to the land where they are made.
Their families arrived in Traiguén and Purén from Switzerland in the 19th century, where they worked in agriculture, surrounded by volcanoes, lakes and forests, silos, livestock, wagons, and wheat fields.
Francisco and Carlos' passion for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, together with their love for the land of their ancestors, was the inspiration for making their own wines that pay homage to these beloved terroirs. After studying the soil and climate in Traiguén for several years, they chose a plateau with volcanic soil between the Quino and Traiguén Rivers and planted vines in 2013.
"A promising project in a wine region that is the future of high-quality Chilean wines" - Patricio Tapia, Descorchados
Press Reviews
James Suckling
97 Points - Zekun Shuai, Senior Editor
This remains one of the best chardonnays from Chile from a warm year. Aromas of fine brioche, sourdough bread, minerals, lemon zest, oyster shells and a floral touch. Taut and medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with a beautiful texture and a fresh streak of acidity that's not too demanding. Flinty and really long. It spent 13 months in French oak barrels, with 28% new wood. 6,000 bottles made. Drink or hold.
- White Wine
- Carricante
- Sustainable, Volcanic Vines
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 2.00 g/l
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.5% 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
Jebdunnuck.com
92 points - Jeb Dunnuck
Also a pale yellow hue, the 2023 Etna Bianco Pietrarizzo leaps from the glass with fresh Mediterranean character in its notes of fresh sage, fresh peach, flinty stones, and saline. Medium to full-bodied, it has a rounded texture, with a salty and savoury crystalline nature ... Drink 2025-2035.
WineAlign
96 points - David Lawrason
One of the most intriguing and compelling wines you will ever taste, but that doesn't mean you will love it, because it is that different. It is a single vineyard blend of local carricante (predominant) and cataratto, the two prime local white varieties of Mt Etna. It has surprisingly lifted, enveloping and exotic nose with botanical rosemary/thyme herbs, spices, honey and citrus marmalade. It is medium-full bodied, firm, intense warm, finishing volcanically with flint/smoke. Great grip, balance and structure. The length is outstanding. Unique in the white wine world. Tasted March 2026
91 points - John Szabo, MS
Already shifted into the pale golden colour spectrum, Tornatore's 2023 contrada Pietrarizzo delivers a wild bees wax and wildflower profile, pollen and light honey, fresh lime juice and a wild range of other flavours including some wood-derived, a unique and original profile to be sure. Acids are comfortable and length is very solid indeed, lingering on those singular flavours. I can't call it a classic beauty, but highly intriguing it is. So well worth a look at the price. Bring some lemon and wild herb marinated grilled fish to the table. Tasted March 2026.
- White Wine
- Furmint
- Organic, Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic Vines
- Residual Sugar: 1 g/l
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 12% alc./vol
About the Winery
Gilvesy Pincészet
Hungarian expat Róbert Gilvesy moved back to his homeland from Canada, and began building the Gilvesy winemaking empire on the former Esterházy estate on Szent György Hill. Thanks to years of hard work, the Hegymagas-based facility now includes a modern building complex and about 13 hectares of vineyards, in addition to being the home of the family. The area is shaped by 6 million years old volcanoes, where indigenous and international varieties grow organically.
Robert’s absolute admiration for nature and the terroir translates into an immense respect for the environment. By farming using organic practices, the soils and the vines stay healthy. In the winery, by letting nature take its course without controlling the processes, and using local resources, such as Hungarian oak barrels, Gilvesy promotes and protects the Balaton region.