11 products
11 products
- 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.
- Red Wine
- Listán Negro
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic Vines
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.5% 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
91 points - Michael Godel
Freshest of freshest varietal listán negro which means the hyperbole of acidity distracts from detecting any serious tannin while fruit and volcanic hypotheticals create their necessary union. The unmistakable and impalpable listán negro is expressed through a house’s consistent, persistent and unwavering purity, without grift or deception. If "your sensibilities are shaken by the slightest defect" please do not worry and don't call the police because "slight" is the operative word. This is the Viñátigo way and this their accessible red wine in celebration of clarity from a place. Getting at this 2024 involves no early indication of potential danger or failure but instead the prospect of delicious drinking for these next few years. No canary in a coal mine indeed but yet a character that is expressly Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Oh joy, oh rapture for a crispy varietal red seemingly always “acertado,” readied, on call and on point. Drink 2026-2029. Tasted June 2025.
91 points - Sara d'Amato
Expressive and grippy with an expansive aromatic profile. This volcanic red from the sub-tropical Atlantic outpost of Tenerife, is made from the local listán negro is juicy and naturally spicy with the faintest hint of volatility adding character to the wine. Tannins are lightly grippy with snappy acids on the palate. Engaging and versatile with food. Ready to drink but don't serve too warm. Tasted June 2025.
90 points - Megha Jandhyala, S.J.D., DipWSET.
This is an intriguing and distinctive listán negro, with aromas of ripe red berries, cherries, and pomegranates amplified by a whiff of volatile acidity. These fruit flavours are accompanied by pleasing flavours of dried savoury herbs, including juniper and rosemary, crushed wildflowers, and a hint of spice. The palate is medium bodied, with fine, drying tannins and crisp acidity, while the finish is long and fragrant, with notes of sweet herbs peaking on the long, layered finish. I would enjoy this wine sooner rather than later, ideally over the next year. Tasted June 2025.
- 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
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
- 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.
- Rosé Wine
- Nerello Mascalese
- Sustainable, Volcanic Vines
- 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
- 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
Tim Atkin, MW: 2026 Chile Special Report
93 Points - Amanda Barnes
Recently bottled and still slightly reserved on the nose, this cooler Traiguén vintage shows tension and linearity. Subtle floral aromatics sit alongside citrus peel and gentle baking spice from French oak. Pancho Baettig describes this as a very "Traiguén
- Red Wine
- Pinot Noir
- 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
Tim Atkin, MW: 2026 Chile Special Report
92 Points
- Red Wine
- Gamay
- Organic, Volcanic Vines
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 2.00 g/l
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.00% alc./vol
About the Winery
Château de La Chaize
Château de La Chaize is among the oldest, most historic estates in Burgundy’s Beaujolais region. Cared for by the same family for nearly three and a half centuries, the estate has been passed on to new owners, the Gruy family, who are equally committed to managing the estate with the utmost care, while implementing an ambitious environmental plan. Among the many initiatives is the conversion of all vineyards to organic farming, the adoption of precision viticulture, reducing carbon their carbon footprint, and recycling every by-product from viti- and vinicultural activity, to achieve zero waste.
Founded in 1670 by the seneschal of Lyon François de la Chaize d’Aix, the main Château de la Chaize building and gardens were completed by Jules-Hardouin Mansart and André le Nôtre, respectively architect and gardener of the Château de Versailles. Château de la Chaize is among the oldest, most historic estates in Burgundy’s Beaujolais region. Boasting over 250 acres of vineyards, it is also one of the largest. It is today considered one of the most innovative estates in Burgundy. Among its forward- thinking practices is the adoption of eco-friendly farming techniques, commonly referred to as Agriculture Raisonnée. Chemical treatments have been reduced to a strict minimum, for example, and the growing of grass between rows has been re-introduced to enrich the soil and reduce erosion.
Press Reviews
James Suckling
94 Points
What a deep nose of sour cherries and forest berries this remarkable Brouilly has. The touch of forest-floor character will surely expand as it matures in the bottle. Simultaneously silky and vibrant on the medium-bodied palate. Wonderful freshness and precision through the long finish. From a slope with southeast exposure and granite soil. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
- Red Wine
- Pinot Noir
- Sustainable, Volcanic Vines
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 2.00 g/l
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.50% 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
96 Points - Zekun Shuai, Senior Editor
There is iron savoriness and minerality that make this unique, with a Gevry-like grip and a structured profile. It brims with aromas of roasted spices, crushed shells, blood oranges and berries that extend to a tight, almost full-bodied palate supported by very firm tannins. 14 months in 300-liter oak barrels, of which 35% were new. Quite a structured pinot, with 18% whole clusters. 5,970 bottles made. Drink from 2027.
- 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
- 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 $63.95per bottle
($383.70per 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