Winebow Producer Book

Winebow Producer Book

Table of Contents

History of Winebow Argentina Mendoza Bodega Renacer

Northern Italy Friuli-Venezia-Giulia Doro Princic SUT Piemonte Bera Castello di Neive Ceretto Giuseppe Cortese Monchiero Carbone Roberto Voerzio Tenuta la Marchesa Villa Remotti Trentino Alto-Adige KRIS Tiefenbrunner Tramin Veneto Maculan Sansonina Zardetto Zéfiro Zenato Central Italy Abruzzo

Spain DO Alicante

Umbria

La Carraia Vitiano Southern Italy Basilicata Bisceglia Calabria Librandi Campania Galardi

Enrique Mendoza DO Bizkaiko Txakolina Itsas Mendi DO Campo de Borja Los Dos DO Cava Juvé y Camps DO de Pago Dominio de Valdepusa Marqués de Griñón DO Empordà Oliver Conti DO Jerez Emilio Hidalgo DO La Mancha Finca Antigua DO Navarra Castillo de Monjardín DO Rías Baixas Lícia Finca Arantei DO Ribera del Duero

Bodega Catena Zapata El Enemigo High Note Tilia

Australia South Australia 2up Victoria Campbells Austria Burgenland

Mastroberardino Montevetrano

Molise

Di Majo Norante

Puglia

Sektkellerei Szigeti Weingut Gernot & Heike Heinrich Weingut Paul Achs

Botromagno Gianfranco Fino Leone de Castris

Sardegna

Niederoesterreich Stienfeld

Argiolas

Sicilia

Weingut Loimer Weingut Prager

Morgante Tenuta di Fessina Tasca d’Almerita

Weingut Rudi Pichler Weingut Stadt Krems

Convento San Francisco

DO Rueda

Portugal DOC Douro

Vienna

Monti Stella Valle Reale Emilia-Romagna Castelluccio Lazio Falesco Le Marche Fazi Battaglia Toscana Altesino Castellare

Finca Montepedroso

Weingut Wieninger

DO Valdeorras

Duorum Muxagat Quinta do Passadouro Wine & Soul DOC Vinho Verde, VR Alente- jo, J. Portugal Ramos VR Beiras Quinta de Foz de Arouce VR Lisboa Quinta do Monte d’Oiro VR Tejo Lagoalva

Brazil Serra do Sudeste Lidio Carraro Chile Aconcagua Leyda Valle Central Terranoble Cousiño-Macul Root: 1 France Languedoc – Roussillon Fat Bastard Germany Mosel Clean Slate Hungary Tokaj Dobogó

Viña Somoza

DOCa Priorato

Francesc Sanchez Bas

DOCa Rioja

Castillio Labastida Finca Valpiedra Viña Bujanda

VdlT Extremadura

Mad Dogs & Englishmen

VdlT Mallorca

Castello di Bossi Fattoria Le Pupille Fattoria Resta Monastero Palladio Poggio Scalette Pratesi San Polo San Quirico Tenimenti d’Alessandro Tua Rita Tenuta Valdipiatta

Ànima Negra United States California 24 Knots Washington Flying Fish

History of Winebow

Winebow, Inc. (www.winebow.com) is a leading importer of premium Italian wines in the United States, and a major importer and distributor of wines, spirits and sake from around the world.

Founded in 1980 by Leonardo LoCascio, America’s preeminent authority on Italian wine, Winebow imports over 400 wines from Italy under the Leonardo LoCascio Selections label.

In 2005, Winebow began reaching out to other prominent wine regions with its business expertise, dedication and unmatched standards of authenticity and quality. The company now boasts a diverse and prestigious portfolio of wines from Argentina, Austria, Australia, Chile, France, Germany, Hungary, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain, as well as sakes and artisanal spirits. Headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, Winebow is a thriving $225 million business with approximately 500 employees throughout the U.S., including a sales force dedicated to wine education and customer service. In recent years, Winebow’s distribution network has expanded significantly as part of a dynamic “Buy and Build” growth strategy that includes the acquisition and creation of new distributorships. Winebow currently sells over four thousand (4000) wines and spirits as a wholesaler in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Montgomery County, Maryland. Winebow’s award-winning portfolio of Italian wines is distributed nationally under the Leonardo LoCascio Selections label, the de facto seal of approval for enthusiasts of Italian wine. The wines of the LoCascio Selections label typically come from smaller, independent wineries throughout Italy offering a special combination of excellence in quality and value, while reflecting the distinctive characteristics of their respective regions. Winebow was one of the first U.S. importers to introduce Americans to many of these superb Italian regions, bringing greater recognition to areas that had long been underrepresented here. In 2008 and 2009 respectively, Winebow expanded its national footprint; first with the acquisition of Click Wine Group and then by securing exclusive distribution rights to Argentina’s Catena winery. Click Wine Group offered Winebow several leading consumer-driven brands, while Catena offered the opportunity to represent a preeminent South American winery with an incredible pedigree and a long history of acclaim. In early 2010, with Leonardo focusing on strategy and supplier and customer relations, Winebow recruited industry veteran Jon Moramarco to come on board as president and CEO. A 12th generation winemaker, Jon brings invaluable wine expertise and solid personal relationships throughout the wine industry. With a highly attractive distribution footprint, a broad portfolio, and a highly experienced management team, Winebow is well positioned to continue its growth and to expand its presence in the wine industry.

Argentina

Mendoza , Argentina

Winery Overview Founded by Patricio Reich, with the collaboration of world renowned winemaker Alberto Antonini, Bodega Renacer prides itself in bringing consumers the very best wines from South America’s unique terroirs . The winery structure itself is quite impressive, featuring a medieval tower and state-of-the-art winemaking equipment. Location of Vineyard Renacer’s vineyards are located in Perdriel, a unique zone in Mendoza, Argentina, where the soil, altitude, climate and water come together to create the perfect growing environment for Malbec. In addition to Renacer’s more than 86.5 acres of Malbec vines, the winery also purchases grapes from local producers in order to take advantage of Mendoza’s many terroirs — those in the Uco Valley, Lujan de Cuyo and Medrano. Winemaking Philosophy Fruit from different sections within one vineyard, farmed the same way, harvested at the same time by the same method, and produced into wine with the same technique, can be dramatically different. Precision viticulture is an indispensable method to work the soil according to its true potential. Renacer determines the variations in soil using digital maps obtained by Electromagnetic Conductivity Measures (ECM). The result is a detailed map of the soil for precise vineyard optimization. This map allows Renacer to divide vineyards into homogeneous areas that are treated similarly in terms of irrigation and harvest time.

Mendoza, Argentina

Winery Overview In 1902, Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant, planted his first vineyard in Mendoza, Argentina. The winery has remained under family control — now in its fourth generation — and is one of the few family owned wine companies in Argentina that remains in Argentine hands. Owned today by Nicolás Catena and his daughter Laura, Bodega Catena Zapata is known as the pioneer of fine wine from Argentina, and Nicolás is recognized as the vintner who revolutionized wine quality in Argentina. A trained economist, Nicolás began this revolution in the early 1980s and continues to challenge himself and his team to make wines that can be counted among the best in the world. His measured approach to viticulture has taken its place in wine history as the pioneer of Malbec and high altitude viticulture. Catena wines, first exported in 1992, set a new standard for quality in South America. The wines immediately proved the quality potential of Argentina and garnered the first outstanding reviews for Argentine wines from worldwide media. The family and the winery’s employees take great pride in carrying on the tradition that began over a century ago. Location of Vineyard The Catena family’s estate vineyards are located in the premier growing regions of Villa Bastillas, Tupungato; Agrelo, Lujan de Cuyo; Lunlunta, Maipu; Gualtallary, Tupungato and La Consulta, San Carlos. Nicolás believes the terroir of Mendoza’s high altitude wine country (3,000 - 5,000 feet above sea level) is unique to the world, and the reality of this belief is expressed in every bottle of Catena wine crafted. Winemaking Philosophy Catena Classic - The Catena wines are made from 100% estate grown fruit from the Catena family’s high altitude vineyards. These wines are a blend of single varietals from various locations within these vineyard sites. Each vineyard is farmed in preparation for its role in the final blend, and each is harvested and vinified separately in order to preserve the unique expression, aromas, and flavors of the fruit. This ultimately brings to the blend the strengths of each vineyard, adding a heightened complexity to the final wine. Catena Alta - In the early 1990s, the Catena Alta wines set new standards for Argentine wine internationally, paving the way for a new category of high end wines from Argentina. With these wines, Bodega Catena Zapata continued their pioneering efforts being the first to release Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay of this quality from Mendoza’s high altitude wine country. Catena’s team of winemakers blends historic lots from the family’s estate vineyards in order to craft the Catena Alta wines. The use of precision viticulture allows each lot within the vineyard to be cultivated specifically based on its characteristics and microclimate. Blending lots makes a more concentrated and complex wine. Catena Zapata - Even with the national acclaim of the Catena Alta wines, Nicolás still yearned to make wines that could stand with the world’s greats. To do this, he knew he needed to grow fruit of unprecedented quality with a level of concentration, complexity and balance never before seen in Argentina. Once each specific lot was identified and its potential revealed through row-by-row micro-vinification, Nicolás developed a plant-by-plant selection through which he could further enhance the characteristics of each lot. Today the Zapata vines are specifically marked with a red ribbon and meticulously cared for. Alejandro Vigil is a graduate in agricultural engineering from the Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, where he went on to receive master’s degrees in both winemaking and irrigation management. He began his career in the National Agricultural Technology Institute, where he took over the Soil Analysis Department at the age of 28. Alejandro came to Bodega Catena Zapata in 2002, as head of Research & Development. In 2003, he joined the enology department, becoming the manager of the top wines. His strong scientific background led to important developments in both vineyard management and winemaking. Alejandro was named chief winemaker in July 2007. Always ready to try something new and full of endless experiments, Alejandro’s goal is to constantly increase his understanding of the unique terroir in Mendoza’s high altitude desert oasis.

Mendoza , Argentina

Winery Overview El Enemigo translates as “the enemy.” Nodding to the fact that at the end of a journey, most remember only one battle — the one fought within (the original enemy). This is the battle that defines us and the wines of El Enemigo are a tribute to those internal battles that make us who we are. Brought to fruition by winemaker, Alejandro Vigil, and historian, Adrianna Catena, daughter of Nicolás Catena, who share a love of wine and have gone back in time to capture the era when European immigrants first settled in Argentina. These settlers sought to make wines as fine, or finer, than those of their old homeland. By 1936, Malbec and Petit Verdot were the most widely planted fine varietals in Argentina, their blend considered the ultimate in refinement and aging potential. Location of Vineyard The grapes for El Enemigo are sourced from vineyards in the acclaimed Uco Valley, about a one hour drive south of Mendoza City. The Uco Valley offers ideal viticultural conditions with loose, textured soil, which allows vine roots to penetrate deep into the ground. The cool air from the Andes helps alleviate the daytime heat in this high altitude terroir . These conditions ensure ideal hang times and ripening, and result in a wine that is complex and highly aromatic. Winemaking Philosophy Alejandro is the Chief Winemaker at Bodega Catena Zapata and the former head of the soil division at Argentina’s Wine Institute. The boutique nature of El Enemigo allows for enhanced experimentation, such as blending Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc into Malbec. El Enemigo is produced at Piedemonte al Sur in the southern foothills of Luján de Cuyo. The facility is named for the unique aspect of Menzoda’s high altitude winemaking region, nestled in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. Winery Overview Altitude is everything. Altitude is essential to providing the vineyards with intense sunlight and cool temperatures. This perfect paradox allows winemakers to craft a Malbec with a deep violet hue, smooth velvety texture and vibrant fruit aromas. Winemaker, Fernando Buscema, is a fourth generation winemaker whose early childhood memories are set in his grandfather’s vineyards. Fernando earned his bachelor’s degree in enology and food science from the Universidad Maza in Mendoza, where he graduated top of his class. His winemaking experience was gained through his work at reputable wineries all over the world including Vicenza, Italy; Napa Valley, California; and Mendoza, Argentina. At Vista del Sur, Fernando is devoted exclusively to Malbec where he remains at the forefront of oenological research and development. Location of Vineyard High Note is produced at Vista del Sur; a state-of-the-art winery located high in the Andes foothills of Argentina’s famed Uco Valley, Mendoza. Ranging in altitude from 3,300 to 5,000 feet, Vista del Sur’s vineyards are among the highest in the world and enjoy the perfect combination of elements for growing the finest Malbec. Intense desert sunlight, very cool nightly temperatures, low humidity and dry, sandy soil with excellent drainage provide the fruit with extended hang times that result in a slow, balanced ripening cycle with good acidity and concentrated flavors without excessive sugar. Winemaking Philosophy Vista del Sur employs specially designed small tronco-conic tanks exclusively for the production of Malbec. They were among the first wineries to employ these tanks and the only winery to produce all of its Malbec exclusively with these tanks. While other wineries around the world are planned to create multiple varietals using the same equipment, Vista del Sur was designed from vine to bottle to enhance the quality of the Malbec it produces. Mendoza , Argentina

Mendoza , Argentina

Winery Overview Made at Bodegas Esmeralda, Tilia has been handcrafted to demonstrate true varietal character. The brand is named after the Tilia (Linden) tree commonly found throughout Argentina’s wine country. Vineyard workers often make tea from the flowers of this tree and enjoy time sitting in the shade after a hard day’s work. These wines are a tribute to those workers and to the Argentinean way of living life to the fullest, enjoying every moment and relaxing in the natural environment the land provides. Alejandro Viggiani is the winemaker and viticulturalist in charge of Tilia. Alejandro graduated with honors from the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo in Mendoza with a degree in agricultural engineering. Continuing his education, he attended the viticulture and winemaking master’s program jointly held by the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo and the prestigious Eccie National Superieure Agronomique de Montpellier, where he specialized in vine physiology. Location of Vineyard Tilia wines offer a unique combination of fruit sourced from the traditional Eastern region and the dynamic Southern region of Mendoza. Fruit from the Eastern region offers ripe flavors and excellent mid-palate depth and concentration. At 4,000 feet above sea level, the Southern region’s higher elevation allows for more aromatic intensity and higher levels of natural acid creating freshness and balance in the wines. In addition to these general regions, Tilia’s Torrontes grapes are sourced from Cafayate, Salta. Winemaking Philosophy Tilia wines are aged in French and American oak as well as stainless steel, and are allowed some time in bottle prior to release. They are produced in an approachable style using sustainably farmed grapes.

Australia

South Australia , Australia

Winery Overview 2Up Shiraz is the latest creation of Kevin and Helen O’Brien, proprietors of the well known Kangarilla Road winery. Handcrafted from a blend of grapes specifically selected by Kevin, from highly prized local vineyards, the skilled craftsmanship in both the vineyard and the winery results in a complex, delicious, high quality Shiraz. Location of Vineyard 2Up is handcrafted using a blend of Shiraz grapes exclusively from highly prized vineyards in the McLaren Vale where thin soil, limited water and warm summers produce small berries with intense fruit flavor creating wines that are dark violet in color with excellent depth and complexity. Winemaking Philosophy Kevin has been making wine for more than 20 years and has earned a reputation for crafting well balanced wines, rich in intensity that consistently earn critical acclaim.

Victoria , Australia

Winery Overview The Campbell family’s production of dessert and fortified wines dates back to the 1870s. Direct descendants of gold mining pioneers, the fourth generation Campbell family owns and tends the vineyards at Rutherglen. Brothers Malcolm and Colin Campbell, have inherited the perfect tradition of making, blending and maturing these special styles. The Campbell’s work closely with Winery Operations Manager, Tim Gniel, who also has a keen interest in making fortified wines. Location of Vineyard Campbells winery is located in Rutherglen, a historical, picturesque town, approximately 93 miles northeast of Melbourne. The vineyard is blessed with a unique climate that is mellow and predictable, which offers plentiful sunshine. In winter and spring, soaking rains provide excellent moisture reserves. In summer months, Rutherglen experiences warm, sunny days and very cool, clear nights. The extended mild, dry autumn allows the grapes to achieve slow, even ripening and abundant fruit flavors. Winemaking Philosophy Topaque is one of Rutherglen’s best kept secrets — sweet, luscious, complex and elegant. Each season the grapes are left on the vines to ripen fully until raisined and laden with natural sugar. The resulting wine is blended with previous vintages using a modified Solera method to produce a consistent house style. The final blend contains portions of wine from vintages more than 30 years old. Pioneering winemakers discovered that Muscat thrives in Rutherglen’s long, dry growing season. Each season the grapes are picked after prolonged ripening to ensure maximum sugar levels and raisin character. The wine is then blended with previous vintages, some more than 30 years old, in the Soleras to maintain a consistent house style.

Austria

Burgenland , Austria

Winery Overview Modern day Szigeti (pronounced ZIG-it-ee) was born in 1990, when brothers Norbert and Peter Szigeti returned to their hometown of Gols to take over the family business. Norbert trained in enology and worked in a large sparkling wine firm in Vienna, while Peter completed hotel management school. The brothers combined their skills to open the Sektkellerei (“Sparkling Cellar”). Location of Vineyard Instead of a family owned vineyard, the Szigeti’s produce wine from a number of small vineyards located on both sides of Lake Neusiedl (Burgenland). They work closely with the growers to ensure they produce reliable, quality wines from grapes that have been grown without chemical interventions. Winemaking Philosophy Using only the finest grapes from carefully tended vineyards, Szigeti generates a firm bubble using the Méthode Traditionnelle (a highly labor intensive bottle fermentation process). The wines acquire a distinctive mousseux due to the use of yeasts indigenous to the classical Champagne region in France. The dosages are typically prepared with local sweet wines. For Szigeti, the process of Méthode Traditionnelle must not trump the integrity of the fruit. In other words, the dominant perfumes and flavors of the wines should be of the varietal, and should not be masked by the yeasty, fermentative flavors of secondary fermentation in bottle.

Burgenland , Austria

Winery Overview Gernot Heinrich’s early years were spent working in his family’s winery when in 1990, Gernot and his wife, Heike, purchased 2-1/2 acres of vineyards and started their own winery. Just over a decade later, the Heinrich’s were awarded the prestigious Falstaff “Winemaker of the Year” award. Location of Vineyard Located along Austria’s central, eastern border, three main vineyard areas comprise the Heinrich vineyard land - the Heideboden, the cru sites of Parndorfer Platte and the Leitha range. Winemaking Philosophy Early vintages were powerful and boldly tannic, aged primarily in new barriques, however, over the past decade the use of new barrels in the cellar has become modest. The Heinrich’s ensure fruit is translated into wines that are powerful, yet without hard edges — complex, yet delicate.

Burgenland , Austria

Winery Overview Born in Gols to a winemaking family, Paul Achs found himself working in California in the late 1980s, where he developed an affinity for bolder wines, specifically Pinot Noir. He returned to join the family winery in 1990 and won the Falstaff “Winemaker of the Year” award just four years later. In 1994, Paul cofounded the Pannobile association to promote quality red wines from the village of Gols, focusing on local varieties Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt. Location of Vineyard Located between the village of Gols and Lake Neusiedl, known as the Heideboden, is the winery’s source for fresh, young wines. On the sloping hills of the Parndorfer Platte, behind the village, are the winery’s single vineyards. The complex soil profiles combined with the southern exposure and the climatic influences are perfect for the production of world class red wines. Winemaking Philosophy Respectful adaptation of traditional winemaking paired with carefully chosen innovations, is core to the work at the Achs cellar. A focus on Blaufränkisch has evolved over the years and today the Austrian press celebrates Achs’ mastery of terroir and vinification.

Niederoesterreich , Austria

Winery Overview Steinfeld is the brainchild of Fritz Miesbauer, whose aim is to deliver typical Austrian character in fresh, clean, easy drinking wines for the international market. During the course of his illustrious career, Fritz has overseen a multitude of wine growers at the Wachau’s famed Domane Wachau cooperative. Location of Vineyard Grapes used for Steinfeld wine are supplied by a group of young vintners from Lower Austria, whose vineyards line the Danube River. It is important that the grapes are completely healthy and, above all, not overripe, so that they can fully express the coolness and freshness of the Austrian climate. Fritz handles the grapes in a traditionally gentle way, so the wine will reflect as much authenticity and origin possible. Winemaking Philosophy A master at finding good reliably sourced fruit; Fritz values freshness and precision over power and concentration. Grapes are vinified with little skin and oxygen contact, which yields a wine lower in sugar content with no oak influence to interfere with the fresh Veltliner aroma.

Niederoesterreich , Austria

Winery Overview Born into a winemaking family, Fred Loimer Jr. realized early on that he would have a future in the winemaking business. Following his formal education and experiences abroad working for other wineries, he returned to his family’s winery in Langenlois, where he utilized his newly gained experience – something that didn’t always please his father. In 1998, a year after the winery was handed over from father to son; Fred bought a historical vaulted brick cellar, a former cellar of the Haindorf Castle, in the middle of the grapevines between Langenlois and Zöbing. With the help of the architect Andreas Burghardt, he renovated the cellar adding a minimalist building above to serve as the tasting room and office. Since 1999, the wines have been vinified and stored in the historical cellar under perfect, natural temperature conditions. Moreover, the Veltliners and Rieslings from single vineyard sites are ranked amongst the best wines of Austria and the wine world. Location of Vineyard The vineyards owned and managed by Loimer comprise a variety of the Kamptal region’s soils: loess, loam, gneiss and gravel. The single vineyard estate wines, signified by their plain white linen labels, are sourced from older vineyards that have been tended under biodynamic principles since 2006. The Loimer winery is located in the Kamptal’s largest and most important village, Langenlois. It is the name of Fred’s hometown that provided the moniker for his most well known wine - Grüner Veltliner Lois. Winemaking Philosophy “Sustainability without Sacrifice,” this is the philosophy that Loimer lives by. Loimer’s passion for renewal and vitality in the vineyards has led him to experiment in and eventually embrace principles of biodynamic agriculture and winemaking. His priorities lie firmly in the crafting of honest and pleasurable wines, raising his family and protecting and preserving the land that provides his livelihood. The small Polynesian fertility symbol that seems to dance on each Loimer label signifies both a respect for ancient, natural traditions and an embrace of the playful and modern.

Niederoesterreich , Austria

Winery Overview Both tradition and innovation are essential to Toni and Ilse (née Prager) Bodenstein at Weingut Prager. Knowledge passed down over generations coupled with new opportunities created by Toni, who unscrupulously worked to uncover the secrets of terroir , has resulted in a passion for making outstanding wines that mirror the unique qualities of the vineyards from which they come. Location of Vineyard Toni’s interest in how the effects different soil conditions and climates had on the vines led him to analyzing terraces across the zone. Based on his findings, Prager purchased parcels within certain vineyards providing an assortment of terroirs . The winery now sources grapes from nine different vineyards located in the Wachau with distinctive terroirs , which impart a unique quality to their wines. Winemaking Philosophy The winery vinifies Riesling from eight different vineyards, and Grüner Veltliner from seven different vineyards all contained within a total production of less than 10,000 cases. Each bottling carries the hallmark terroir of its vineyard. The already stellar reputation of the winery has been further enhanced by Toni’s analysis, and the press has given him the moniker of “Mr. Terroir .”

Niederoesterreich , Austria

Winery Overview The Pichler family has been making wine in the village of Wösendorf since the late 19th century. The original cellar building, more of a small stall than a winery, was purchased in 1884 and their first vineyards were planted in 1904. In 1997, Rudi Prichler III, took over responsibility of his family’s winery further expanding the vineyards and building a new cellar in 2004. Location of Vineyard Located primarily at the western end of the Wachau Valley, Pichler’s vines cling to the steep, rocky hillsides that hug the Danube River. Various soils, vineyard exposure and the age of the vines combined with a unique microclimate to produce distinct, authentic Pichler wines. Winemaking Philosophy The intensity of work in the vineyards is the foundation of Pichler’s philosophy where he has replaced the term winemaker with wine-caretaker, as his wine is not made in the cellar. As Rudi explains, “Authentic wine is not created in the cellar, but born in the vineyard, gently educated in the cellar and then grown up in the bottle.”

Niederoesterreich , Austria

Winery Overview Established in 1452, the original purpose of this winery was to provide revenue for the hospital in Krems. The estate bottled wines of the city’s own winery have always been a source of pride for its residents, but over the years the winemaking itself became perfunctory and lacked distinction. Since 2003, many Stadt Krems vineyards have been replanted and revitalized and the cellar has undergone a renovation and expansion. Fritz Miesbauer and his young, ambitious team now craft their wines in the stainless steel tanks of a pristine but technically simple cellar. With a compact range of six offerings sourced from a variety of soils and handled by careful and adept managers, the wines display both the minerality and the juiciness of the Kremstal. Location of Vineyard Located within the Krems city limits, the Krems Valley is defined by two different soil profiles: the rolling highlands and the eastward falling slopes of the “Bohemian Massif.” Made up of various types of gneiss, whose weather beaten forms make up the original Urgestein (primary rock) of the terraced vineyards is excellent soil for growing Riesling. The loess was formed in the most recent Ice Age some 300,000 years ago and mainly found on the southern and southeastern slopes of the Krems vineyards providing optimal conditions for growing the famed Grüner Veltliner of Krems, with a lot of spice and fine structure. Winemaking Philosophy Fritz and his colleagues aim to produce wines with a clean, fresh profile that are enjoyable to drink and are typical of the region. They start with great vineyard sites, planted with the correct varieties for their soil profiles. The grapes are selected without influence of botrytis, fully ripe but clean. Fermentations take place in stainless steel tanks. Winery Overview The Wieninger winery was founded as part of the traditional Viennese heurigen (winebar) system established in the 18th century. Born in 1966, Fritz Wieninger, represents the fourth generation in the current house. Emerging from his own training in the wake of the Austrian Wine Scandal of 1985, Fritz spent a year working vineyards in California. It was during this time that he became convinced the future of Austria lay in making wines of great quality and distinction. Location of Vineyard It is unique to Vienna that wines poured there are grown within the city limits. Fritz has worked diligently to acquire and develop classical vineyard sites for Veltliner and Riesling, while also carefully cultivating red wine vineyards planted with both native and international varieties. More recently he has led the revival of the Wiener Gemischter Satz tradition, excelling in the production of these multi-varietal field blends. Winemaking Philosophy Geh-mish-ter Sah-ts (the “mixed set”) more of a description of a vineyard than a wine style, these mixed vineyards were the traditional way to plant when the main concern for the producer was to prevent crop damage or loss due to weather patterns or disease. Today’s young, inspired winemakers led by Fritz, have discovered in these old mixed plantings a taste and a wine that is, as Fritz puts it, “All of Vienna in one glass.” Vienna , Austria

Brazil

Serra do Sudeste , Brazil

Winery Overview Before the Carraro family arrived in Brazil in 1875, they had been grape growers in the Veneto region of Breganze. Several generations later, the patriarch of the family, Lidio Carraro, is joined by his sons Giovanni and Juliano Carraro in the winery. In this family operation, Giovanni and Juliano oversee the winemaking process while Lidio Carraro still maintains the same vineyards that his family planted so many years ago. Those vineyards are located in two privileged locations in Southern Brazil: Vale dos Vinhedos and Encruzilhada do Sul. Combining respect for the land, sustainability, and modern vinification technology, it produced its first fine wines in 2002. Lidio Carraro was the first Brazilian winery to be internationally recognized as a top quality boutique winery producing Icon status wines, so much so that it was named the official wine of the 2014 World Cup. Head winemaker, Monica Rossetti, combines her winemaking skills learned from making wine in France and Italy’s Alto Adige region with the Carraro family’s commitment to quality. The winery is recognized as a pioneer in the country for introducing an integrated sustainable grape production and enological practices. Starting with meticulous clonal study, soil mapping, production balance, use of Thermo Pest Control (TPC) technology, manual harvesting, strict production control from receiving the grapes through gravity to the finished product, Lidio Carraro makes great wines without resorting to the traditional use of wood. Attention to every winemaking detail allows for creating distinct wines, rich in complexity, structure and balance. Today, Lidio Carraro is considered the top producer of boutique wines in Brazil. Location Of Vineyard Vale dos Vinhedos - located near the town of Bento Gonçalves in the area north of Porto Alegre, was the first region in Brazil to receive the official Geographical Indication certificate. The basalt bedrock soils help the grapes develop finessed and elegant aromas in the temperate climate of southern Brazil. The soil composition and climate preserve the flavor profile of the grapes and enhances the typical varietal flavor components and complexity. Encruzilhada do Sul – located in the southwestern portion of the Serra do Sudeste, with its rolling hills and granitic soil provides low levels of organic matter with excellent drainage. These dense, rocky soils help to ripen the grapes by radiating heat onto the low-trained bunches. The vineyards are planted on the gentle slopes allowing the development of polyphenols and anthocyanins necessary to achieve deep color, solid structure and aging potential. Winemaking Philosophy Lidio Carraro entered the market to break new ground. The winery’s drive and passion began by conducting soil studies to perfectly match the varietals to the soil types, the first step in producing the highest quality fruit possible. Their vision is to produce “pure wine” based on a philosophy of preserving the integrity and essence of wine. The entire process of winemaking at Lidio Carraro is conducted with minimal interference and with the greatest respect for the natural expression of the grape and its terroir. Wood is never used for fermentation or aging, as a means to extract and preserve the pure essence, complexity, structure and flavors of the grape. Brazil was the first country to use the TPC Technology, an innovative system that promises to significantly reduce, or eliminate the use of pesticides by using a hot air jet. This hot air jet is used on the plants at a certain speed and temperature to eliminate fungus, bacteria and other pests without harming the vines.

Chile

Aconcagua , Chile

Winery Overview Historically, the Leyda Valley was considered only suitable for pasture lands and dry farming due to limited precipitation and no natural rivers. In 1997, a group of Chilean entrepreneurs surveyed the valley and discovered that its climate and soil provided near perfect conditions for growing grapes. In order to realize the region’s full potential a reliable water supply would be needed. The group funded and built an five miles pipeline from the Maipo River, bringing life giving water to the valley. Leading the way for viticultural development of the area, they were the first to showcase the results of the valley’s unique terroir and ultimately establish it as a new DO in 2002. Location of Vineyard Nestled in the rolling hills of Chile’s coastal mountain range and just eight miles from the Pacific Ocean, Leyda Valley has a distinctly cool, maritime climate, ideal for producing small yields of concentrated grapes. Sea breezes and ocean mist carried by the Humboldt Current have a tempering effect on the otherwise hot summers of this latitude with clear days, lots of sunlight and low relative humidity. These climate characteristics allow grape ripening to take place at a slower pace, with robust development of aromas and fruit flavors, ensuring a perfect balance of sugar and acidity in the wines. Winemaking Philosophy Leyda is an innovative winery, dedicated to using the latest technology to analyze every detail of the region. Within the vineyard, the architecture, density and irrigation levels are constantly adjusted to attain the perfect ripening conditions for each variety. The winery uses state-of-the-art equipment for wine production and the cellar has 56 stainless steel tanks of varying capacities, each with temperature control systems. This diversity allows Leyda to separate different lots, and then classify the various components for final blending. The winery works with a variety of oak styles from the world’s most respected coopers to obtain complexity and elegance. Viviana Navarrete is the talented winemaker behind Leyda and part of the new generation of winemakers. She graduated at the top of her class with a degree in oenology from Pontifica Unversidad Catolica de Chile. Viviana’s vision is to harness the potential of the vineyards in Leyda Valley to demonstrate the ability of this area to produce extraordinary and expressive cool climate wines. Winery Overview Founded in 1993, TerraNoble has consistently produced high quality wines that are a rich expression of the unique terroir of Chile. Driven by a passion for viticulture and dedicated to producing top rated wines from premier appellations, the wines of TerraNoble represent the ultimate in varietal expression. The philosophy of TerraNoble is to produce modern, high quality wines with an incredible precision of style, elegant flavors, and aromas that exemplify the unique characteristics of each varietal. Location of Vineyard TerraNoble has more than 360 hectares under vine in prime vineyard locations in the Maule, Colchagua and Casablanca valleys. Each property was specially selected to elicit the best attributes of each grape variety. Winemaking Philosophy Located in the Maule Valley, the TerraNoble line is all stainless steel production, resulting in clean, balanced profiles. The wines see time in oak barrels, producing a range of full bodied wines with dynamic structure, rich flavor and complexity. As a boy, Ignacio Conca developed a love of the land and a curiosity about the fine wines enjoyed at family celebrations. These passions led him to study agriculture, enology and viticulture at the University of Chile. After crafting wines at some of Chile’s greatest vineyards, he brought that knowledge and experience to his current position as winemaker for TerraNoble. His distinctively modern signature is apparent in TerraNoble’s elegantly crafted wines, full of intense fruit forward flavors and soft, melt in your mouth tannins. Valle Central , Chile

Valle Central , Chile

Winery Overview Founded in 1856, Cousiño-Macul is the only 19th century winery in Chile that remains in the hands of the original founding family. All Cousiño-Macul reserve wines are estate grown, vinted and bottled. After seven generations and over 150 years, Cousiño-Macul’s mission rings clear — to produce world class wines that are unmistakably Chilean, carrying the distinctive character of the Maipo Valley. Location of Vineyard In 1994, the capital city of Santiago had expanded to the point of completely surrounding the original Macul estate in the southeast of the city, so the search for an additional single estate vineyard location began. In May 1996, the Cousiño family bought 750 acres of land in Buin, an agriculturally rich subregion of the Maipo Valley, about 20 miles southeast of Santiago. The Buin estate met the Cousiños’ ambitious criteria of soil composition, climate and proximity to the Andes Mountains. Few wine producers have the opportunity to make a completely new start, incorporating the best of their age old experience and the most contemporary technology available. As technology continues to advance in the vineyards and wineries around the world, Cousiño-Macul has seized this opportunity to innovate while staying true to the most important part of their long history. Winemaking Philosophy All Cousiño-Macul wines are made entirely with grapes sourced from its two estates located in the Maipo Valley. Both the Macul estate in the southeast of Santiago and the estate in Buin are part of the subregion known as Alto Maipo. The Alto Maipo is appropriately named due to high altitude orientation at the foot of the Andes Mountains. As the snow melts in the spring and summer, the Andes provide an ample source of pure, fresh water for vineyard irrigation. The soil is especially suited for the production of high quality grapes: shallow, sandy-silky topsoil with rough stone below. All vines are planted on original root systems. Vines for new plantations come from massal selections carried out in the nurseries at Cousiño-Macul over a period of 10 years. This selection has allowed the preservation of genetic material of great value, originally brought to Chile by Luis Cousiño in 1860, including Cabernet and Merlot varieties from Pauillac in Haut-Medoc, and Sauvignon Gris from Martillac in Graves. A graduate of the University of Bordeaux in agricultural engineering and oenology, Pascal Marty, has held several esteemed positions at renowned wineries around the world. Early in his career he worked in Pauillac, at Baron Philippe de Rothschild in oenological research, viticulture and quality control. While there, he worked on several iconic wines, including the Mouton-Cadet, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château d’Armialhac and Château Clerc Milon. His work later took him to several United States wineries and eventually his tremendous talents were sought in Chile, where he worked as oenologist for Almaviva and Baron Philippe de Rothschild. In 2003, Pascal joined Cousiño-Macul as their leading oenologist. Soon after taking this role, he was entrusted by the Cousiño family to develop and create Lota, the family’s 150th anniversary wine. Considered one of his greatest achievements thus far, Lota earned a 93-point score from the Wine Advocate with its first vintage. Pascal directs the winemaking team on all of the Cousiño-Macul selections, ensuring adherence to the utmost quality standards established by the family over numerous generations.

Valle Central , Chile

Winery Overview Chile’s unique geography makes it one of very few grape growing regions in the world where original European rootstock has been unaffected by phylloxera. While most vineyards around the world are planted on grafted rootstock, Root: 1 grapes are grown on pure, ungrafted roots, producing wines of outstanding quality, with pure fruit flavors and authentic varietal character. Location of Vineyard Chile’s isolation, protected by the mighty Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, allows grape vines to remain on their original rootstock in their purest form. The country’s optimal climate and soil conditions help produce consistently outstanding grapes each year. The cooler coastal vineyards of Casablanca are ideally suited for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, while Cabernet and Carmenere flourish in the warm, sun drenched central valley of Colchagua.

Casablanca Valley - Located just 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean in Tapihue, the estate vineyards of Root: 1 Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are noted for their intense sun, cool coastal breezes and foggy evenings.

Colchagua Valley - Situated along the Tinguiririca River in Peralillo, El Suspiro estate vineyards of Root: 1 Cabernet and Carmenere are noted for their long, dry growing season producing wines of intense flavor.

Winemaking Philosophy Root: 1 is located in the Maipo Valley, in the district of San Pedro, an area close to the coast. It was built with efficiency, quality and cutting edge technology in mind, all of which is exemplified by the winery’s production process. It begins with a gravity flow system that ensures reception of blemish free grapes, and continues with the use of sorting tables that transport the fruit to stainless steel fermentation tanks.

Environmental care is also a key objective. Energy conservation is a priority and water used in the winery is recycled for irrigation. In addition, every effort is made to preserve the surrounding native flora and fauna.

Production processes conform to rigorous standards set by important certifications such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, the Clean Production Agreement (CPL), and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). In 2011, Viña Ventisquero was awarded a 100% Sustainable Certification by Wines of Chile. After getting a degree in agronomy from the Universidad de Chile, Felipe Tosso began his industry career in 1995 at Concha y Toro. After some time as chief winemaker for Concha y Toro’s Peumo Winery, he joined the Viña Ventisquero winemaking team in 2000 and has been the chief winemaker for Root: 1 since its launch in 2006. Today, Felipe travels the world in an ever increasing quest to sharpen his winemaking skills, visiting Napa; Sonoma; Priorat, Spain; Australia; and Bordeaux (Canon La Gaffelière, La Mondotte, and Clos de L’Oratoire). As the company’s chief winemaker, he is the driving force behind its pursuit of ever higher quality. His leadership and dedication to the environment have been instrumental in allowing Viña Ventisquero to become one of the most awarded wineries of Chile, earning certification as a 100% sustainable winery.

France/Germany/Hungary

Languedoc – Roussillon , France

Winery Overview Good friends Tierry (renowned French winemaker) and Guy (British wine industry rebel) created FAT bastard almost by accident. It started out as an experiment in the back of Thierry’s cellar, leaving a barrel “on the lees” (yeast cells). He didn’t know what to expect, but when he and Guy tried the wine, Thierry exclaimed, with a strong French accent, ”Now zat iz what you call eh Phet bast-ard!” This very British expression perfectly described the wine’s wonderful color and round, rich palate, so that’s what they named it. In 1991, Véronique Torcolacci obtained her degree in oenology from the University of Toulouse. She joined Gabriel Meffre as oenologist in charge of quality before becoming head winemaker. Location of Vineyards Produced in partnership with Gabriel Meffre and crafted from the low yielding vineyards of the Languedoc- Roussillon region of France, the wine is remarkably full bodied with a vibrant, fruit forward style. It is no wonder that Time magazine has referred to FAT bastard as, “Wine for the anti-snob.” Winemaking Philosophy When crafting FAT bastard, the objective of Véronique and her team remains the same: never make the slightest compromise on quality. With this in mind, she regularly visits the Languedoc vineyards, meeting with the winegrowers and seeking out wines that satisfy her rigorous demands. As someone who feels strongly about protecting the environment, Véronique raises the issue of sustainable development with winegrowers and always strives to respect the land and the grape varieties as much as possible during the winemaking philosophy. Commitment and passion are the driving forces that have enabled her to rise to this challenge for the past 20 years. Thanks to her unique knowledge, she has obtained more than 100 medals, several 4 and 5-star ratings, and special mentions for her wines in all the major wine competitions and top wine magazines. Her skills have also made her a name throughout the profession, particularly in the area of wine bottle capping and corking.

Mosel , Germany

Winery Overview Clean Slate is the product of a partnership between Moselland of Bernkastel-Lues, Germany and Winebow. Moselland is the largest vineyard owner in the Mosel and one of Germany’s top exporters of Riesling. Winemaker, Manuel Brixius, is considered to be the new face of German wine. After receiving a degree in viticulture and oenology at the prestigious University of Applied Sciences in Geisenheim, Germany, Manuel went to work at acclaimed wineries such as Hermann Wiemer in the Finger Lakes of New York and Peter Lauer in the Ayler Kupp region of Germany. In 2007, he joined Moselland eG, one of the largest and most esteemed producers in Germany’s Mosel region. At Moselland, he has quickly risen from a member of the advisory board to the current technical director of oenology. Location of Vineyard The thin slate stones of vineyards in the Mosel River Valley are a critical factor in crafting Riesling of exquisite balance. The stones are so precious that should any slip into the river, they are carefully retreived and carried back up the treacherously steep vineyard slopes and returned to their place. The slate’s ability to reflect and retain heat is essential to ripening grapes in this cool climate, and what developes the fresh peach, crisp lime and subtle mineral flavors of these wines. Winemaking Philosophy Clean Slate is made of Riesling grapes sourced from selected vineyards throughout the Mosel region. Known for its steep slopes, the region’s exceptional climate and mineral rich slate soil create the perfect growing conditions for this grape. The cool climate of Mosel’s northerly location allows grapes to ripen very slowly, while the slopes give the vines ideal sun exposure. Further protection comes with the Mosel River’s tendency to hold heat, keeping vines protected from getting too cold and creating a special microclimate for ideal ripeness. The thin, stony topsoil forces the vines to root deep through the rocks for water and nutrients, resulting in wines of excellent minerality and complexity. In the course of harvest, Clean Slate makes daily decisions regarding which grapes to pick based on ripeness and maturation in the different areas of the region. Manuel insists on the gentle handling of the grapes, which are then fermented and stored instainless steel tanks under temperature controlled conditons. All of this is critical to the development of the fresh peach, crisp lime and subtle mineral flavors of Clean Slate’s wines — Manuel’s exquisite expression of the region’s unique essence of Riesling terroir .