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Col Vetoraz presents Coste di Levante, Ponente and Mezzodì

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We are in the Prosecco area with the three new Valdobbiadene DOCG wines Coste di Levante, Ponente and Mezzodì. With evocative names paying homage to the hills from which they originate, these wines are made from a careful selection of 100% glera grapes grown on the “coste”, the more or less steep hillsides facing east, west and south.

‘The Valdobbiadene DOCG Col Vetoraz wines,’ explains CEO and oenologist Loris Dall’Acqua, ‘are siblings from the same Mother Earth, namely the foothill system that winds its way from east to west, parallel to Monte Cesen, ideal for imparting good acidity and a good aromatic profile.’

Coste di Levante Brut

The nose reveals notes of lemon and aniseed. On the palate, it has good volume and body.

This wine has great aromatic consistency, reminiscent of acacia citrus fruits and the fruitiness of white peach, pear and apple. It remains a very elegant wine, thanks above all to its very fine effervescence and good liveliness and persistence. Ideal with aperitifs and dishes based on shellfish, fish and white meats.

Coste di Ponente Extra Dry

This Extra Dry wine is produced from carefully selected grapes grown on the west-facing hillsides of Valdobbiadene.

It is a harmonious, elegant wine with a slight residual sweetness. The nose is fruity with hints of peach, pear, rose and honey. It pairs well with light dishes such as ricotta and spinach ravioli on a cream of Taleggio cheese or pappardelle with honey mushrooms, chestnuts and ricotta.

Millesimato Dry Coste di Mezzodì

We are in the hills facing south, growing citrus fruits, lemons and mandarins.

It is persuasive, elegant and complex on the palate, with a fine perlage, notes of freshness with liquorice and aromatic herbs, and a persistent finish that confirms its typical characteristics. It is an ideal wine to finish a meal, paired with panettone and homemade citrus cakes, or at other times of the day.

New look for Mionetto Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG

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An important milestone in promoting quality: Mionetto’s renowned Luxury Collection is now available in supermarkets with Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry.

This first reference will be followed by other sparkling wines, including Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG Dry and Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Rive di S. Stefano Brut, which will complement the line to offer an increasingly complete and prestigious range in the retail channel.

Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry, the flagship of the collection, is the result of refined grapes from the hilly areas of the Prosecco Superiore DOCG region, which give it unmistakable aromas and flavours of apple, acacia flowers and wisteria. With a pale straw yellow colour, it stands out for its harmony and elegance and its fine, persistent perlage. Extremely versatile, it is suitable for a wide range of occasions and pairings.

For Mionetto, this sparkling wine represents the highest expression of the Prosecco Superiore DOCG territory, where the winery has been based since 1887, combining excellent quality with a refined and elegant design inspired by the tradition of Venetian master glassmakers. A project that tells the story of the winemaking excellence of its land of origin and the world-renowned art of glassmaking.

The refined texture, 3D embossed logo, orange capsule and foil crest contribute to the prestige, recognisability and consistency with the brand’s visual identity. The packaging is designed to consolidate and elevate Mionetto’s presence on the shelf, conveying the high quality of the product at first glance.

‘With the introduction of Valdobbiadene DOCG into our collection of wines of the highest stylistic expression, we want to offer consumers an even richer drinking experience, one that best expresses the values of authenticity, elegance and quality that have always distinguished Mionetto,’ says Paolo Bogoni, Chief Marketing Officer and Management Board Executive. ‘It is a step that allows us to promote the territory and tradition with a super-premium positioning on the shelf.’

With this new addition, Mionetto once again confirms its ability to convey a message of quality and superior style in the world of sparkling wines.

CLOROFILLA Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG Rive di Guia Extra Brut

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The name Clorofilla is an important name that leaves no room for misunderstanding: it is a tribute to the vitality of nature and the freshness that its lands have to offer. We are in the heart of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene hills, where GABE Tenute & Selezioni has its vineyards and skilfully interprets, in a refined, elegant and innovative way, the ancestral link that binds the vine to its land.

The result of meticulous research and innovation, Clorofilla is an extra brut that offers a true sensory experience. Its harmonious balance between freshness and minerality makes every sip a journey into the heart of the Valdobbiadene hills; an experience that celebrates authenticity, an essential element in the creation of wines of extraordinary quality.

The Glera grape vineyards cultivated by GABE Tenute & Selezioni in the wonderful area of Guia are rooted in soils particularly rich in calcareous and clayey marl, which give the wine extraordinary freshness and a distinct minerality. These soils allow for a constant water supply, creating the ideal microclimate for the ripening of the grapes and the development of delicate and complex aromas.

The result is a wine that perfectly embodies the characteristics of the territory: fresh, fragrant, and harmonious, with an elegant body that stands out for its naturalness. Clorofilla offers an olfactory palette that evokes fruity aromas of green apple and pear with a finish that leaves a pleasant sensation of freshness.

With Clorofilla, GABE Tenute & Selezioni confirms its commitment to respecting and promoting its territory, aiming to offer consumers a wine that, in addition to being excellent, is also the result of a sustainable and environmentally friendly process. An interpretation that also invites us to rediscover and appreciate the authenticity of a wine that comes from the land, passion, and skilled care.

Fushà Extra Brut

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Baglio di Pianetto’s Charmat reworked with the sensitivity of Graziana Grassini: from Brut to Extra Brut to embody the winery’s new direction.

The winery’s sparkling wines are in line with the philosophy inaugurated by the new president Grégoire Desforges: focus on the territory, contemporaneity, and care for local historical and cultural values.

The revamped Fushà from Baglio di Pianetto, now a Charmat Extra Brut, fits perfectly with the philosophy of the new president, Grégoire Desforges. Firmly convinced that innovation starts with the product, the third generation at the helm of the winery has, since 2023, embarked on a valuable collaboration with Graziana Grassini—one of Italy’s most authoritative winemakers—who has been entrusted with the task of restoring the expressive capacity of the Baglio terroir’s uniqueness and its unusual altitude to the winery’s sparkling wines.

Alongside the winery’s resident winemakers, Francesco Matesi and Giuseppe Lo Iacono, Graziana Grassini has interpreted Baglio di Pianetto’s new identity by transforming the Fushà sparkling wine into a long Extra Brut charmat, whose longer stay on the lees gives the sparkling wine greater complexity and structure, resulting in a more elegant and versatile wine. The search for freshness, elegance, and drinkability is the basis of the winery’s new direction, which combines a strong connection to the territory and local historical and cultural values with a constant commitment to sustainability and continuous technological research, translating the essence of the mountainous amphitheater directly into the bottle.

The floral bouquet, aromatic hints of rosemary, and balsamic accents enhanced by a fine and persistent perlage describe the organoleptic profile of the new Fushà Extra Brut, a winemaking project that is part of the winery’s wine portfolio revolution. The search for balance, structure, and a long, balanced finish has given rise to an intense and complex sparkling wine made from organic grapes, which is both fresh and salty. The references to the Mediterranean scrub and the freshness of mint reflect the altitude of the Baglio di Pianetto vineyards: an identity-based choice, but also a strategic one that allows the winery to counteract climatic complexities, operate in an uncontaminated environment, and achieve a drinkability that appeals to new wine lovers.

The new version of Fushà completes Baglio di Pianetto’s current portfolio, alongside the revamped In Purezza lines—a collection of single-varietal wines that capture the essence of native and international grape varieties, now even more expressive of the territory’s unique characteristics—and Viafrancia—a blend of increasingly native varieties that embodies the winery’s new spirit.

In line with the new direction, the name of the new Extra Brut: Fushà, in the Arberëschë language, means Piana, and is a tribute to Piana degli Albanesi. The Arbëreshë community, with its strong and long-standing tradition, settled there in 1400 following the Ottoman invasion of the Balkans, and is still an active part of the territory that is home to Baglio di Pianetto (many of the company’s employees – in the vineyard and in the winery – have Arbëreshë origins). References to the local community can be found on the label, decorated with an ornamental design that recalls traditional Arbëreshë motifs, engraved tone on tone as an identifying pattern.

ORNELLAIA STRENGTHENS ITS COMMITMENT TO THE ARTS WITH SUPPORT FOR THE SOLOMON R. GUGGENHEIM FOUNDATION

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Ornellaia’s Vendemmia d’Artista project supports the new “Collection in Focus: Modern European Currents” exhibition at the Guggenheim New York in July.

This year’s Vendemmia d’Artista auction ends with a donation to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.

By means of the online auction organised by Bonhams, Ornellaia is pledging 300.000 US dollars to support the conservation treatment and in-depth analysis of select collection works included in the upcoming exhibition at the Guggenheim New York titled Collection in Focus: Modern European Currents, which opens on July 15, 2025.

During the auction, which finished on June 24, a number of large formats of Ornellaia Vendemmia d’Artista 2022 “La Determinazione” (Determination) created by the artist Pascale Marthine Tayou were sold to collectors around the world. In interpreting the character of the 2022 vintage, the Cameroonian artist focused on the life cycle of the plant, while remaining true to his practice that is intrinsically linked with the materiality of colour and the joy of living.

“I would like to thank all the collectors who participated in the auction and who, over the years, have shared our dedication to the art world. We are proud to support the upcoming Collection in Focus Modern European Currents exhibition at the Guggenheim in New York. Personally, I look forward with great anticipation to experiencing the remarkable works on display,” remarked Lamberto Frescobaldi, President of the group.

“We are deeply grateful for Ornellaia’s longstanding generosity to the Guggenheim through the Vendemmia d’Artista project. This year‘s noteworthy initiative enables the conservation of important and rarely seen works featured in the exhibition Collection in Focus: Modern European Currents.“ 

says Dr. Mariët Westermann, Director and CEO of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation  

By donating the proceeds raised by Vendemmia d’Artista to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, Ornellaia reiterates its commitment to preservation of art as a universal heritage and to expanding access to art for audiences worldwide.

Vendemmia d’Artista

Vendemmia d’Artista started with the 2006 vintage. Every year, a contemporary artist is invited to interpret the vintage character by creating a set of artworks that personalize the bottles. The project includes large-format bottles (Double Magnums, Imperials and one Salmanazar), which are signed by the artist and auctioned. The proceeds support art foundations and museums around the globe. Now in its 17th edition, Vendemmia d’Artista is recognized for its commitment to facilitate access to art for everyone. 

Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation was established in 1937 and is dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary art through exhibitions, education programs, research initiatives, and publications. The international constellation of museums includes the Guggenheim New York, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the Guggenheim Bilbao, and the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. A “temple of spirit” where radical art and architecture meet, the Guggenheim New York is among a group of eight Frank Lloyd Wright structures in the United States designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. To learn more about the Guggenheim New York and the Guggenheim’s activities around the world, visit guggenheim.org.  

Schiava, the common thread through Cantina Kaltern’s 125 years of history

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A toast with Kalterersee Classico Superiore DOC Quintessenz

Cantina Kaltern is celebrating 125 years of passion, cooperation and dedication to viticulture. On this special occasion, the symbolic toast is with Schiava (Vernatsch), a native grape variety that more than any other has helped write the history of Cantina Kaltern and that today is expressed in a portfolio of Kalterersee Classico Superiore DOC wines of impressive personality.

 When the first cooperative nucleus of Caldaro was founded in 1900, Schiava was the undisputed queen variety, and for decades it occupied a full 90% of the vineyard area, becoming a symbol of the local wine culture and identity. It is with this grape that Cantina Kaltern put down its own solid roots and gradually selected a path increasingly oriented towards quality and the enhancement of the terroir on the shores of Lake Caldaro. Today, in addition to Schiava, which is grown in the areas where it can express itself best (today 13% of the total), white wines such as Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon Blanc are also increasingly important.

“Our Schiava has given us great satisfaction over the years, and this has contributed to the recognition of Lake Caldaro as an area of great winemaking quality, of which Cantina Kaltern is the privileged interpreter” says Cantina President Christian Sinn. “If this has been possible, it is thanks to great teamwork, both of the winemaking team and of our 520 grower-members. My most sincere thanks go to all of them: they are the beating heart of our cooperative and the major players in its growth.”

Among the wines resulting from this journey and best representing Cantina Kaltern, the Kalterersee Classico Superiore DOC of the Quintessenz line stands out today, currently in the 2023 version. An expression of selected vineyards up to 100 years old, located between 230 and 350 metres’ elevation around Lake Caldaro, this wine embodies all the character, versatility and elegance that this grape can offer. A contemporary red, with fruit-rich aromas, the variety’s classic almond note, and a beautiful tanginess, it can convey – sip after sip – the history and the growing area from which it comes.” 

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Cantina Kaltern is the largest winery cooperative in Alto Adige and one of the most important players in the local viticulture. As an historic winery representing the entire community of Kaltern, it is also the most authoritative interpreter of the Schiava variety under the denomination Kalterersee DOC. Leading the portfolio is the Quintessenz line, comprised of 5 monovarietals that encapsulate the essence of Cantina Kaltern’s terroir and spirit. Then, the Selections Line, whose grapes are grown in vineyards of recognised character, and the Classic Line, cuvées that convey the classic essence of their grape varieties. In 2018, Cantina Kaltern became the first winery in Italy to adhere to the strict Fair’n Green protocols, Europe’s authoritative certification system for fully sustainable viticulture.

MONTECI’S ORGANIC LUGANA DOC: BETWEEN HISTORY AND IDENTITY

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Monteci’s Lugana DOC is an organic white wine that belongs to a unique and distinctive territory, that of the southern shore of Lake Garda; The morainic soil formed in ancient times has created a rich, mineral-rich, and fertile land that produces wines with a structure and body that are particularly savory, with complex aromas ranging from white flowers, citrus fruits, and aromatic herbs to complex sensations of flint, hazelnuts, and almonds.

Monteci, in order to protect the territory and preserve its original and varied richness, has undertaken a process of organic conversion in all its vineyards, which was completed in 2018 and guarantees authentic, high-quality wines.

In particular, the grapes used to produce Lugana DOC come from the native Trebbiano di Lugana vine and, after rigorous selection, are aged in steel barrels. After bottling, the wine is left to rest in the bottle for several months.

The result is a wine that expresses the harmonious notes of flavors and colors of its terroir. Its straw yellow color with greenish reflections takes on golden notes over time, creating a balanced wine with significant softness, freshness, structure, and a variety of aromas.

Fattoria Mantelassi, winemakers for passion and sustainability

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Giuseppe and Aleardo Mantelassi

Tradition, innovation, and a deep respect for the environment and the local area. This is how the company based in Magliano in Toscana continues its success, with over sixty years of activity.

When we talk about sustainability, we think of pollution, bad habits in everyday life, unhealthy food, but the world of wine is also involved. But what does this mean?

Sustainable viticulture means “a continuous process in which environmental, social, and economic well-being objectives coexist and have equal value.” Is this really the case?

Fattoria Mantellassi, a company based in Magliano in Toscana and a leader in the production of Morellino di Scansano DOCG, has made sustainability a priority by implementing measures that meet these major objectives for the protection of our planet.

Among the most recent developments is the installation of a 98 KW photovoltaic system on the roofs of the winery, thanks to which energy is produced from a renewable and inexhaustible source: the sun. This green energy significantly reduces environmental impact and consumption.

This achievement is linked to Fattoria Mantellassi’s strong commitment to innovation. In fact, the company adheres to the GreenCare calculation system, which allows it to monitor water and energy consumption. By monitoring carbon dioxide emissions, wine is produced while minimizing the use of non-recyclable products within the supply chain.

Fattoria Mantellassi’s green soul is also consolidated in another major goal: the production of the first Morellino di Scansano without added sulfites using Purovino technology, currently being tested. The aim of this project is to replace the use of sulfur dioxide, a wine preservative, with ozone, which, through a process of hyperoxygenation, blocks the oxidation of wine, ensuring excellent preservation of its organoleptic properties.

For Fattoria Mantellassi, sustainability also lies in what may seem like small things to most people but which, in reality, are an added value for the environment. We are referring to a cork, that small protective seal that, with NORMACORC, from Green Line, is used for some labels. A line whose distinctive features are the renewability of the raw materials and the vegetable base. Pleasant to the touch and attractive in design, they are free of TCA, the trichloroanisole that gives wine its so-called cork taint, and glue, making them 100% reliable. It should also be added that their core consists of a breathable air filter that ensures optimal oxygen transfer through their walls, resulting in 70% air, an abundant resource in nature. This passage of oxygen into the bottles also ensures that red wines can age for up to 25 years! In addition, the bottles are completely recyclable.

Many initiatives and ideas are in the pipeline, all aimed at providing consumers with high-quality wine and giving the environment the support it deserves.

Bertinga 2018

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The timeless expression of a Chianti vineyard

Bertinga, a boutique winery rising on Gaiole in Chianti’s loftiest hills, finally unveils the 2018 vintage of its namesake wine: IGT Toscana Bertinga, an elegant blend of Sangiovese and Merlot that until now has been slowly maturing in the estate’s cellars, dug into the hillslope.

Bertinga is not just the name of the wine, it is also a reference to the location where the cuvée originates. The vineyard soils, of Eocene origin and predominantly calcareous, are light, compact and “cool” and, as estate’s Commercial Director Luca Vitiello explains, “they allow the Sangiovese and Merlot to express themselves to the highest degree and to yield complex wines, capable of dialoguing with their most prestigious peers.”

“In 2018, a selection of the finest Sangiovese and Merlot grapes from the Bertinga vineyard melded together into this cuvée,” Luca Vitiello continues, “that today offers an incredibly crisp, dynamic experience, hinting at an extraordinary longevity.” Bertinga’s philosophy, after all, is to take the luxury of patiently ageing its portfolio and introducing the wines to the market only when each vintage begins to truly express its potential.

2018 was characterized by particularly variable weather, making vineyard management quite complex. Unlike 2017, which experienced a lengthy drought and high temperatures, this season alternated sunny, dry stretches with rain, and largely cool temperatures. These conditions challenged vine growth, which remained active and in vegetation until late August, complicating vineyard management. 

“However,” as Elisa Ascani, Bertinga’s winemaker, points out, “the situation improved significantly in September, when the weather took a positive turn: sunny days and warm temperatures reigned during the day, and night brought excellent temperature ranges. This favoured optimal ripening of the grapes and good balance between sugars and acidity. The harvest began in mid-September, a little later than usual, which was positive both in terms of quality and quantity.”

“This was a vintage, therefore, that combined the elegant dynamism of Sangiovese with the depth and structure of Chianti Merlot,” concludes Luca Vitiello. “We simply gave the two varieties all the time they needed to blend together.”

The result is a wine with a contemporary stylistic bent that looks to the future with a modern, international approach. Produced in just 15,000 bottles, it can be found in the best wine shops and restaurants.

Pascale Marthine Tayou interprets the character of Ornellaia 2022 “La Determinazione”

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From June 12 to 24, 2025, storied auction house Bonhams will hold an online auction of large-format Vendemmia d’Artista 2022 “La Determinazione” bottles. Ornellaia has pledge its proceeds to support the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation to restore artworks for upcoming exhibition.

Internationally renowned Cameroonian artist Pascale Marthine Tayou was chosen to interpret the vintage character, “La Determinazione” (Determination), of Ornellaia 2022 for the 17th edition of the Vendemmia d’Artista project.

With the labels designed by Pascal Marthine Tayou to celebrate Ornellaia 2022 “La Determinazione”, the artist remains faithful to his practice that is intrinsically linked with the materiality of colour and the joy of living. His oeuvre stands out for its diversity, unrestricted by a single medium or a particular set of themes. For Ornellaia 2022 “La Determinazione”, the artist focused on the life cycle of the plant, starting with the seed, its germination and resilience in adapting to the climate in order to flower and bear fruit.

For the 750ml label, the artist created a design based on concentric circles formed by a series of signs of different colors. They represent the energy generated by the union of many individual elements when they form a single whole.

For the Double Magnums, Pascal Marthine Tayou took a photograph that depicts a plant growing in a desert area, emerging through the cracks in the soil. Each label is unique, like a sequence that shows the various stages of the plant as it manages to sprout with determination. Meanwhile, the 10 Imperials (6 litre) and the sole Salmanazar (9 litre) become sculptures in their own right with textile artworks reclaimed from recycled materials forming uniquely crafted colorful patchwork cases.

As Pascale Marthine Tayou explains, “I went looking for things deep inside myself that could be in line with the idea of a plant’s lifecycle. For example, I came across a plant that had grown on a stone and had succeeded in flowering. In a way, it became a symbol of what I wanted to express in my research.” He continues: “You have people who live and work together and aim to shape the world in their own way. That’s where I saw the most fundamental meaning: the courage to reach your goals. That’s where wine plays a part, bringing special music to the phenomenon of binding people together. For me, determination is a form of commitment and courage. It could even be related to resilience and resistance. Artistically, I was in a determined mental state, so I used materials and a technique that would push me to focus on their repetition as I was seeking some kind of poetry. I wanted to consider determination from the point of view of the relationship between humans and nature, and the environment in its broadest sense.”  

“It moved me to see the way in which Pascal Marthine Tayou had interpreted the vintage character La Determinazione,” remarks Lamberto Frescobaldi, President of the group. “His art demonstrates how courage and resilience always bring joy within reach. His vision remains close to the wine world where the ties between humans and nature form the basis of everything we do.”

Fourteen rare lots, including the Imperials and the sole Salmanazar, hand-signed by Pascale Marthine Tayou will be sold by Bonhams, one of the world’s oldest privately owned auctioneers. The online auction will be held at www.bonhams.com/ornellaia between June 12 to 24, 2025 and will close at 7pm GMT.

In a continuation of the existing seven-year partnership, Ornellaia has pledged its proceeds to support the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation for the upcoming exhibition titled Collection in Focus|Modern European Currents, at Guggenheim New York opening July 2025. The funds are intended to assist with the conservation treatment and in-depth analysis of select collection works included in the upcoming Guggenheim exhibition.

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