Special bottles with things to say…

Here, you’ll find a collection of bottles—many of them single vineyard wines—from benchmark producers who helped shape the regions they call home. We love every wine on our list, but these bottles have a little something extra to say about where they come from and the nuances of the vintage.

  • 100% Nerello Mascalese from San Lorenzo contrada (vineyard) in Randazzo, Sicily

    What is special about the producer?: The modern-day wine culture of Mount Etna begins with Terre Nere. The estate was founded in 2002 by Marc de Grazie, who pioneered the concept for single vineyard wines, called contrade locally.

    The wine: Cool northern slopes of the volcano, with soils composed almost entirely of volcanic ash. Grippy tannins, a core of fresh red berry fruit, and pronounced mineral notes of crushed rocks and warm earth, complemented by delicate violet florals.

  • 100% Sangiovese (Sangiovese Grosso clone) from vineyards in Montalcino, Tuscany

    What is special about the producer?: Twelfth century farm and castle, revitalized and converted into a winery in 1984 by noted painter and sculptor Sandro Chia. Rugged, high-elevation vineyards with a cooler microclimate yields Brunello of remarkable class.

    The wine: Traditional. Classic. Subdued without being simple. Dried strawberry, fresh raspberry, and red cherry, accented by notes of mint, cedar, and savory tomato leaf.

  • 100% Nebbiolo (Picotener clone) from Laurey vineyard in Carema, Western Piedmont

    What is special about the producer?: Microscopic cellar, dizzyingly steep terraced hillside vineyards, stunning views, cool, Alpine microclimate. Founded in 2016, owners Federico and Deborah Santini have quickly established Muraje as a reference-point producer for the rebuilding Carema DOC.

    The wine: Supremely elegant Nebbiolo with the weight and transparency of Pinot Noir from Burgundy, France. Gentle tannic structure, red-fruited, with accents of mint, white pepper, and cedar. Deceptively complex.

  • Blend of thirteen varieties, including Nebbiolo and Croatina, from vineyards in Boca, Alto Piemonte

    What is special about the producer?: A vital player in the revival of winemaking in Alto Piemonte; Swiss owner Christoph Künzli is especially passionate about his adopted home in the Boca DO.

    The wine: A blend of thirteen grapes, both red and white grapes, centering on Nebbiolo and Croatina. A throwback to the everyday style of wine for Boca’s old-timers but updated in the 2022 vintage to be a more serious incarnation. Dark and dense, with balsamic notes of sage and cedar. Subtle notes of licorice and underbrush/forest floor. 

  • 100% Nebbiolo from vineyards in La Morra, Levice, Vicoforte, and Monticello d’Alba

    What is special about the producer?: Owners Niola Oberto and Stefania Drocco oversee Trediberri, one of Barolo’s most important rising stars over the past 10+ years.

    The wine: Like the couple who made it, this wine is ready to party! (Who doesn’t want a magnum of this?!) Silky tannins, vibrant red fruit, blood orange, rose petals. Complex enough to ponder, friendly enough to simply sip and enjoy. Fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel.

  • 100% Nebbiolo from Albesani vineyard in Neive

    What is special about the producer?: Roots that go back to the early 20th century, but Roagna’s reputation has soared over the past 20 years under fifth generation vignaiolo Luca Roagna. Wine production is decidedly old-school, but the wines are anything but relics of the past. They exude class and pure expressions of site. 

    The wine: Delicate, with red cherry, tobacco, mint, and wildflowers.

  • 100% Nebbiolo from Rabajà vineyard in Barbaresco

    What is special about the producer?: One of the pivotal producers who fueled the growth of Barbaresco in the 1970s and 80s. Ambassadors of the Rabajà vineyard, one of Barbaresco’s best sites. A genuine grand cru-quality wine.

    The wine: Dark, structured, complex, with captivating aromatics. Blue and black fruit dominate, with clove, incense, leather, and menthol notes.

  • 100% Nebbiolo from Arborina vineyard in La Morra

    What is special about the producer?: Second-generation winemaker Silvia Altare is among the most talented winemakers in the Langhe. She is also the leader of the second wave of female winemakers in Barolo, following in the footsteps of her hero, Chiara Boschis.

    The wine: Altare’s wines are precise, with a generous mouthfeel and fine-grained tannins. The Arborina vineyard Barolo has red-toned fruit, rose petals, and sweet spice. along with layers of orange peel, cinnamon, and new leather.

  • 100% Nebbiolo from Bussia vineyard in Monforte d’Alba

    What is special about the producer?: Poderi Colla was founded by Beppe Colla, one of Piedmont’s all-time iconic winemakers, after he sold the historic Prunotto winery in 1994 and started anew. Now run by the fourth generation of the Colla family, it remains rooted in production of a kaleidoscope of Piemontese classics.

    The wine: Complex and harmonious, with dark cherry at its core and accents of rosemary, lavender, dried leaves, and mocha. Full-bodied with fine-grained tannins.

  • 100% Nebbiolo from Rocche vineyard in Castiglione Falletto

    What is special about the producer?: Roots that go back to the early 20th century, but Roagna’s reputation has soared over the past 20 years under fifth generation vignaiolo Luca Roagna. Wine production is decidedly old-school, but the wines are anything but relics of the past. They exude class and pure expressions of site. 

    The wine(s): A powerhouse that will need time to breathe in your glass. Once it starts to open up you’ll notice red-toned fruit that’s accented by eucalyptus, graphite, fresh violets and rose petals.

  • 100% Montepulciano from Colle Vota vineyard in Cugnoli, Campania

    What is special about the producer?: In an area awash with grocery store-grade wine, Cristiana Tiberio is a relative newcomer who is now counted among the very best of the artisan Montepulciano masters.

    The wine: Dense fruit, but deftly balanced, with blackberries and licorice at its core. Clove, incense, lavender. Silky, fine-grained tannins, with vibrant acidity on the finish. Fermented and aged in stainless steel.